The king is dead. With the death of Robert Baratheon brings war to the Seven Kingdoms as several houses now vie for control of the land. Fans of the George R.R. Martin books can read about what happens in Westeros. With A Game of Thones The Board Game they are able to play one of the warring houses and play a game of thrones themselves.

Game of Thrones the board game is in its second edition. The latest edition adds former expansions and updates to the original game. You choose one of six distinct great houses - Lannister, Stark, Greyjoy, Baratheon, Tyrell, and Martell. Each house has its own strengths and weaknesses. If you have read the books, then you are certainly familiar with each house and their strengths. If you are new to the world of Westeros, hopefully a more seasoned player or fan of the series will give you some insight.

Each round happens in three phases: the Westeros Phase, the Planning Phase, and the Action Phase. By knowing the strengths of your house, you will be able to form a strategy during your turn.

While the game is back on a very popular series of books, a non-fan can also enjoy this game. The game is somewhat complicated, and it is best to play with someone who has played the game before. It will make the game move a lot faster than if everyone is trying to figure out the rules as you go. The different phases of the game and the order of play can take some getting used to for new players. With a seasoned player, you can step through these phases of the game easily.

There is a fair amount of strategy involved in playing a Game of Thrones. You only have so many options - so you must use them wisely. Also you have to keep an eye on what your opponent is doing. There is a lot that happens in the game. You are vying for control of Westeros. To do that, you must march, attack, and defend the various territories. To put is simply, Game of Thrones is Risk meets Capture the Flag - only the game play is much more involved.

The first player to control a certain number of cities and strongholds win, or after ten turns the player who controls the most wins the game. Game of Thrones is for three to five players over 13 years old. Expect a game to last anywhere from three to five hours.