Brushworm Speaks! - Game of Thrones: Visual from the RPG
Brushworm Speaks!
Game of Thrones: Visuals From The RPG
by Thomas Veauclin (Art Director and Project Manager)
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Acquired: Half-Price Books
Series: N/A
Hardcover: 64 Pages
Publisher: Cyanide Studios
Language: English
Subject: Fantasy/Gaming
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The Story: the "Game of Thrones: Visuals from the RPG" art book stands as one of ATLUS' finest bonuses to date, offering sixty-four full color pages of sketches, renders, photos, and screenshots from the game accompanied by compelling text and commentary from the game's developers. The book will also include rare behind the scenes materials, like a portrait of the development team signed with a special message from author George R. R. Martin himself
The Review: This book was not part of mainstream release, rather it was included as part of pre-order special package with the titular Game of Thrones Role Playing Game. Brushworm managed to acquire it during a clearance sale at a Half-Price Books clearance sale.
Why would someone do such a thing?
This a very handsome book, filled to the brim with excellent artwork.
The truth is that it makes sense that this was part of a special edition video game package. It is not a big book, not even a hundred pages. That alone makes it more a sampler, than a definitive showcase of concept artwork.
Also the artwork itself, while works of definite talent, does not stick in Brushworm’s mind the way the works of Blizzard Entertainment or Magic The Gathering does. The reason for this is that the artwork largely treads familiar ground. Game of Thrones, both in literary format as well the legendary tv show, stand as paragons of fantasy. The downside to such an honor is that it tends to tread familiar ground as far as setting is concerned. Said setting being the quasi-medieval European setting that is practically the default for the fantasy genre. As a result, to any gamer or reader familiar with Skyrim or Lord of the Rings won’t find much distinctiveness here. The Nordic themes are especially prevalent in both properties.
Brushworm hates to say it, but overall…if this book is indicative of the aesthetic found in the game, then the whole thing lacks originality.
Considering that the discovery of this book was the first time Brushworm had even heard of the Game of the Thrones RPG, that should be proof enough.
That is not to say the artwork is lacking at all. All of it is skillfully wrought and greatly assists in bringing the world of Westeros to vivid life.
Final Verdict: While this may be of some interest to a fervent admirer of Game of Thrones (like Brushworm) and/or gaming (also like Brushworm), the specialized nature of this particular volume makes it lack a wide appeal. For fans of both or either though, this book is an excellent addition to any game and/or fantasy library.
Rating:
Three Crowns out of Five
*****
Icon Source: https://gonkasth.deviantart.com/art/Game-of-Thrones-ICON-01-624854569
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