Key Takeaways
1. Cooperative Gameplay and Immersive Environment: Players can create heroes and explore iconic locations like Winterfell and King’s Landing, enjoying an engaging narrative within the Game of Thrones universe.
2. Mixed Reception on Launch: Despite over 3,100 simultaneous players on launch day and ranking high on Steam’s “Trending Free” list, only 63% of over 1,100 user reviews are positive.
3. Frustrating Monetization Strategy: The game features a harsh monetization system with energy mechanics and premium currencies, leading to player dissatisfaction and paywalls after limited gameplay.
4. Structural and Design Issues: Kingsroad is criticized for its mobile-like structure, outdated graphics, limited character customization, and a co-op mode restricted to specific boss fights.
5. Balancing Problems and Gameplay Experience: Players report unexpected difficulty spikes in the midgame, which disrupt progress and overall enjoyment, overshadowing the game’s potential appeal for fans.
Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is a cooperative action RPG filled with story elements, developed by Netmarble Neo. It was officially launched on May 21, 2025, after a two-month Early Access period. Right from the start, it appears to check all the boxes: gamers can create their own heroes, traverse well-known places like Winterfell and King’s Landing, and engage in a new narrative within the beloved Game of Thrones realm. Praise has been given for its immersive environment, captivating soundtrack, and a combat system that includes block and dodge features. Many reviews commend the thrilling quests and abundant content as highlights.
Mixed Reception
At launch, the initial excitement was evident—SteamDB recorded a peak of over 3,100 simultaneous players on day one. It has also secured the leading position in Steam’s “Trending Free” list. Nevertheless, user reviews paint a different picture. Out of more than 1,100 reviews submitted, only 63% are favorable. The main criticism concerns monetization. However, this isn’t the sole concern players are voicing.
Frustrations with Monetization
A key source of annoyance is the game’s harsh monetization strategy. An intricate system that involves energy mechanics, various premium currencies, and paid access to dungeons complicates progress without spending real money. Even players who bought starter packs claim they encounter a paywall after approximately 30 hours of gameplay.
Structural Issues
In terms of structure, Kingsroad fails to meet the expectations of many PC gamers. As noted by one reviewer on Steam, the game resembles “a mobile game on steroids,” featuring UI designs, reward cycles, and progression systems that appear more fitting for smartphones than a comprehensive PC game. Additionally, the much-touted co-op mode is restricted to specific boss fights—players cannot explore the open world together.
On a technical level, the game reveals its shortcomings. The graphics appear outdated, character customization options are limited, and numerous NPCs look almost the same—resulting in a lack of depth in the RPG elements. Balancing issues also arise, with users reporting unexpected spikes in difficulty during the midgame, which hinder progress and disrupt the overall gameplay experience.
In spite of its numerous shortcomings, Kingsroad does manage to evoke the genuine Game of Thrones ambiance—potentially making it worth a look for devoted fans of the franchise. Since the game is free to play, there’s little financial risk involved in trying it out. However, for most players, the downsides—ranging from aggressive monetization to design and technical flaws—are likely to overshadow the benefits.
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