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After releasing Secrets of the Coven – the second of three Kingdoms game mode adventure modules for Darkest Dungeon II – earlier this month to PC and PlayStation, Red Hook Studios has brought the module to the Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series. Along with adding a new Kingdoms quest, the free update adds a new enemy faction, new mechanics & items, as well as a number of community-requested Kingdoms features, including inn storage, item selling, and more.

“Secrets of the Coven is strikingly different to the initial Kingdoms offering, Hunger of the Beast Clan,” says Chris Bourassa, Red Hook Studios Creative Director. “The pacing, mechanics, and quest flow all have a remarkably distinct feel, to say nothing of the enemy faction itself. Our team has pushed into new and exciting territory with this one, and we’re eagerly awaiting our players reactions!”

For those that missed Aaron’s review of the new game mode,...

Physical media junkies are once again getting some love from Red Hook Studios, as the developer has teamed up again with Skybound Games for a new physical edition of Darkest Dungeon II. Celebrating two years since the release of the roguelike turn-based road trip of the damned, the Darkest Dungeon II: Anniversary Edition is packed with nightmarish extras to accompany players on their journey for redemption. The Anniversary Edition is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5) for $99.99, and will ship in Q4 2025.

Along with a physical copy of the game, the Darkest Dungeon II: Anniversary Edition includes several goodies:

Collectible Steelbook: safeguard your journey with a steel game case adorned with Darkest Dungeon II key art In-Game Combat Pop-Up Diorama: a tangible tribute to the game’s brutal, turn-based encounters Stagecoach Papercraft: recreate the vessel of your desperate pilgrimage Playable Deck of Cards: a...

House of the Dragon ran into some issues with A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin, who was not totally on board with what was put on screen. Ryan Condal, a long-time fan of the franchise and the creative behind House of the Dragon, talked about how he felt about Martin’s comments.

Fire and Blood, which largely serves as the source material for the show, is not a traditional narrative, but an in-universe history that deals with the Targaryen line of the monarchs. It seems that the main point of contention between Condal and Martin came when talking about the practical application of the storylines that were in place.

Ryan Condal was disappointed, and he and George R.R. Martin did not see eye to eye House of the Dragon || Credit: HBO

Ryan Condal, speaking to Entertainment Weekly, talked about his experience working with George R.

Stannis Baratheon may have been the rightful king and heir to the Iron Throne, especially after Robert Baratheon’s death and the questionable legitimacy of his children, but since he died before reaching the final season, there was only one left from the Baratheon bloodline, and that was Gendry.

He’s had one hell of an arc in Season 8—he helped in arming Winterfell for the fight against the White Walkers, reunited with Arya Stark and ended up sharing one of the most controversial love scenes in the show, and of course, Daenerys Targaryen legitimizing him as a Baratheon, subsequently becoming Lord of Storm’s End.

Why Gendry Baratheon deserved to be the king of Westeros

Gendry Baratheon was one of the few honest and good-natured characters in Game of Thrones who made their way to the top without deceit or violence. Sadly, he did not get the ending he...

Good things come to Darkest Dungeon II players who wait. And after a few months of waiting, the free Kingdoms game mode and “Inhuman Bondage” Dlc are now available for PlayStation Darkest Dungeon II players, with the Xbox One, Xbox Series and Nintendo Switch releases coming soon.

To celebrate the launch, Darkest Dungeon II will be 33% off on PlayStation until March 26. Players can also take advantage of a 10% launch discount on the Inhuman Bondage Dlc. Alongside the Dlc comes Kingdoms and its first of three adventure modules, Hunger of the Beast Clan.

Kingdoms is a free game mode that introduces a fresh, reimagined structure alongside three adventure modules—starting with Hunger of the Beast Clan. Unlike the original Confessions mode, Kingdoms tasks players with defending the realm and a network of inns against powerful new enemy factions, including the ravenous beastmen. Two more adventure modules featuring new enemy factions are planned for release in 2025.

Meanwhile,...

Every time I fire up either of the Darkest Dungeon games, I’m reminded why the formula is one of the best there is.

The art style is sublime, combining beautifully rendered characters with excellent animation that brings impactful emphasis to key moments. The audio is amazing, creating a dark musical soundscape with one of the best voice overs in games. The turn-based combat is second to none, giving you distinct character classes that can be customized by meaningful choices.

Last week, Red Hook Studios gave me another reason to return to Darkest Dungeon II with the release of their free new mode, Kingdoms, which completely revamps the structure of the game, changing it from a roguelike journey to a board game style fight for survival against invading forces.

When it was released two years ago, Darkest Dungeon II made improvements to the basic core combat while changing the format...

Red Hook Studios teased back in October the impending arrival of the second Dlc for Darkest Dungeon II in “Inhuman Bondage”, with the developer announcing today that the Dlc will be coming to PC on January 27th, 2025. Consoles will be receiving the Dlc at a later date.

Inhuman Bondage will be accompanied by the new free game mode for Darkest Dungeon II in Kingdoms, along with its first of three adventure modules “Hunger of the Beast Clan” on the same day.

Kingdoms is an entirely new game mode coming to Darkest Dungeon II, featuring a completely reimagined game structure. Kingdoms is a parallel game experience to the Confessions game mode, with players being tasked with defending the realm from incursions by all-new enemy-factions.

“At Red Hook we love going against the grain,” says Chris Bourassa, Red Hook Studios Creative Director. “When asking ourselves how best to expand Darkest Dungeon II,...

What If Daenerys Stayed in Meereen? A Game of Thrones Theory That Could’ve Changed the Seven Kingdoms (Photo Credit – Facebook)

It’s been over five years since Game of Thrones ended, and Daenerys Targaryen’s fate still stirs debates. After eight seasons of battles, she torches King’s Landing and is killed by Jon Snow. Drogon flew away, leaving fans with petitions, memes, and endless questions about that finale.

But here’s a wild thought: What if Dany had never reached Westeros? What if she stayed in Meereen and ruled over the Bay of Dragons instead? Tyrion once suggested it — what if that was her true destiny?

A Targaryen Queen of Essos?

Dany’s ties to Westeros were more symbolic than personal. She never lived there, but she felt it was her birthright. On the flip side, her Valyrian roots made Essos just as much a part of her legacy.

Skybound Games and Red Hook Studios have released the physical version of Darkest Dungeon II for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and the Nintendo Switch. Available now at all major retailers, the physical version is packed with “nightmarish” extras, and coincides with a new launch trailer that also drops a few accolades in addition to the reveal of the physical edition.

The physical edition of Darkest Dungeon II retails for $39.99 Usd, and includes the following:

The full game on a Nintendo Switch game cartridge, PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series disc An intricate build-your-own stagecoach model Redemption code for the Darkest Dungeon II soundtrack by Stuart Chatwood Slipcover replicating the cover art

The physical edition arrives after last week’s reveal of the next Dlc for Darkest Dungeon II with “Inhuman Bondage”. No release date has been announced as of yet for the Dlc, but according to the press release, the Dlc and free...

A new report on Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes box office performance is reassuring news amidst the previously uncertain future of the Planet of the Apes franchise. Set many generations after Caesars death in the Planet of the Apes timeline, Kingdom introduced an all-new set of characters. Although the film dealt with the legacy of Caesar, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes took place in a very different world from what we had followed in the previous three films. Kingdom was expected to be the Rise of a new trilogy, but sequels are yet to be confirmed.

Disney took an interesting approach with Planet of the Apes following the 20th Century Fox acquisition, opting for a movie set in the same continuity as the previous three entries rather than a reboot or a remake of the 1968 classic. Kingdom teased that a new confrontation between humans and apes...

There are many who are excited about the latest Game of Thrones spin-off. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is perhaps going to be one of the most lighthearted stories of the Game of Thrones universe, telling the tale of a traveling knight and his squire. As Sir Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg travel across Westeros about a hundred years before the start of the original series, they will find themselves embroiled in some of the most important political events of their era. As a result, and perhaps a consequence, they will encounter some of the most dangerous people in the Seven Kingdoms at the time. Among those numbers is a man who claims to be their ally, but whom no one can say for sure that he doesn't act without ulterior motives: Bloodraven.

By far one of the franchise's most mysterious characters, Bloodraven is an illegitimate offspring...

HBO is getting back to basics with a new Game of Thrones spinoff called A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, based on author George R.R. Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas. Unlike House of the Dragon, which is a grand, sweeping epic in the style of Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is much more intimate, giving us a worm's eye view of the Seven Kingdoms. It follows a newly minted knight named Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), who in the first season will enter a tournament at Ashford Meadow in the Reach. That's where he'll meet the boy who will become his squire, known as Egg on account of his bald head (Dexter Sol Ansell).

Filming on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms started back in June of this year. Now, Redanian Intelligence reports that shooting on the first season has wrapped up. That means...

Besides Aegon the Conqueror, Visenya Targaryen is one of the most lauded Targaryens in House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones. Visenya set an example for Westerosi female warriors by helping her brother/husband conquer the Seven Kingdoms. Future generations of Targaryens would try and fail to honor her namesake with their children.

The Targaryens are the ruling family of the Game of Thrones universe. Daenerys Targaryen "birthing" three dragons earned her the title "Mother of Dragons," and made her one of the most recognizable television characters in history. Her legacy gave grounds for the first Game of Thrones spinoff, House of the Dragon, to focus on the Targaryen civil war between Rhaenyra and Aegon II that planted the seeds for the family's extinction. However, long before Rhaenyra and Daenerys, there was another Targaryen woman who laid waste to her enemy's land to glorify her family's name: Visenya Targaryen.

The world of Game of Thrones captivated fans long before the show took television by storm. George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series is a staple for fans of political fantasy with its intricate plots, complex characters, and richly detailed world. Beyond the core series, Martin expanded the universe with prequels and companion books that offer a deeper look into the history and lore. Choosing which of Martin's work is the best is no easy task, as each is a masterpiece of fiction. The main narrative's sprawling epic and rich backstory adds depth to the overarching saga, and these books are massive in word count, giving readers a lot of content to sift through.

Whether it's the tightly woven plots of the main series or the fascinating glimpses into Westeros' past provided by the prequels, each book adds to the vast tapestry of George R.R.

The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros were formed by Aegon's Conquest, combining seven separate realms under one ruler. Each of the Seven Kingdoms has unique landscapes and cultures, showcasing the diversity of Westeros on the show. A new spinoff series focusing on Aegon's Conquest will delve deeper into the reshaping of Westeros and the formation of the Seven Kingdoms.

Throughout eight seasons, Game of Thrones only explored certain regions of Westeros, leaving the lingering questions of what the Seven Kingdoms are and why they are called that if there are nine of them. The Seven Kingdoms make up a huge part of the show and its spinoff series, House of the Dragon, despite also exploring regions of Essos as well. Given its importance to the Game of Thrones universe and the amount of times the Seven Kingdoms are referred to, it is surprising the shows never explain this odd little piece of nomenclature.

Quick Links The Earlier Years of King Aerys II Targaryen Aerys II's Kingly Reign Began Peacefully and Ended Morbidly Robert's Rebellion And Game Of Thrones' Plot Was Sparked By Aerys II's Murder Who Were The Children Of The Mad King? King Aerys II Targaryen was named The Mad King by the people of Westeros in Game of Thrones. The Mad King was named this for his cruelty and paranoia. Aerys's life and reign were ended when Jaime Lannister killed him.

While HBO's ongoing prequel House of the Dragon delves into House Targaryen's history more than elsewhere on TV, King Aerys II Targaryen depicted in Game of Thrones is one of Westeros' most important and infamous figures. He was portrayed in the flagship TV show by Liam Burke and David Rintoul in brief flashback sequences.

Despite the minimal screen time the character gets, his grim role in history as the Seven...

Warring houses in Game Of Thrones ensured anyone from the Lannisters to Targaryens had a shot at the Iron Throne. House Targaryen, once rulers with dragons, faced downfall with King Robert, shifting focus to individual house strengths. Despite being fierce and unpredictable, some houses like Bolton and Baratheon lost power in the Game of Thrones saga.

The many warring houses in Game Of Thrones ensured that the civil war for the Iron Throne was a conflict wherein the winner wasn't a foregone conclusion. From the Lannisters to the Starks to the Targaryens, every great family in Westeros had, at one point or another, a viable path to taking the seat of power in Westeros and ruling over the Seven Kingdoms. However, some Game of Thrones houses are more powerful than others, and when stacked against one-another it becomes clear that some were never destined to rule.

While House Targaryen ruled over Westeros for centuries,...

Includes Enormous Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4.

Rhaenys Targaryen dies in battle against Aemond and Vhagar. Rhaenys' death will create division among Rhaenyra's ranks, particularly between her and Corlys Velaryon. House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, takes creative liberties with Aemond's role and the betrayal of Aegon.

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, sees a major twist with Rhaenys, with multiple factors included in her pivotal decision. The ending to "A Dance of Dragons" sees the Battle of Rook's Rest take place, where Ser Criston Cole leads the Greens' infantry force up the coast in hopes of blocking Dragonstone and Driftmark off from the mainland of Westeros. In doing so, he baits Rhaenyra's Black faction into sending a dragonrider to deter the invading force, allowing Aemond Targaryen and his dragon Vhagar to strike. Ultimately, Cole's plan works out, though not without its losses.

Out of the many...

It was only a matter of time before Xbox fans got the call that PlayStation and Nintendo Switch had already received regarding Red Hook Studios’ Darkest Dungeon II. The dark fantasy turn-based tactics RPG will indeed arrive on July 15 for Xbox Series and Xbox One owners, which is the same day that PlayStation and Switch fans will be getting their version of the game.

As with the other releases, the Xbox Series version of Darkest Dungeon II will include all current updates and Dlc. Players can now pre-order the game from the Microsoft Store, with a launch discount of 15%. You can also spring for the Oblivion Edition of Darkest Dungeon II, which includes the base game and the Dlc, The Binding Blade.

On top of all of that, Red Hook Studios will be bringing a major new campaign game mode to Darkest Dungeon II in the form of “Kingdoms”, a...

Quick Links Balerion The Black Dread, Explained Balerion Helped Aegon Conquer The Seven Kingdoms Balerion Served Future Targaryens Aegon the Conqueror conquered the Seven Kingdoms with his dragon, Balerion the Black Dread. Balerion served future Targaryens after Aegon's death, with Maegor the Cruel being one of his riders. Princess Aerea disappeared on Balerion, and Viserys I was his last rider before retiring to the Dragon Pit.

HBO's Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon explores the history of House Targaryen, the ruling family that controls the Seven Kingdoms. The Targaryens trace their rulership to Aegon the Conqueror, a mighty warrior descended from Old Valyria who took over kingdoms and declared himself king. With another prequel series centered around Aegon's conquest reportedly in development at HBO, the ancient character has become a subject of interest for fans of the franchise, who long to see more of his time and how...

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' director Wes Ball discusses developing sequels in the Planet of the Apes franchise for the future. The original title for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was Empire of the Planet of the Apes. Box office success will help determine the future of the film series, as Ball emphasizes the importance of script development and quality.

Proximus Caesar certainly wants a wonderful day for his new empire, as do the powers-that-be behind the latest entry in the Planet of the Apes' movie franchise. Filmmaker Wes Ball is tasked with helming this summers hopeful blockbuster, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and future films in the saga seem all but certain. In a brand-new interview, Ball addresses making more installments, and he also reveals the Kingdoms original title ended up being discarded. Ball says during his sit-down with ComicBook.com:

Empire of the Planet of the Apes.

The New Gate, a popular isekai light novel, will receive an anime adaptation in Spring 2024. The series, about a player trapped in a game 500 years later, boasts a stacked voice acting department. Despite competition, with its loyal fanbase and promising trailer, The New Gate is set to succeed.

The New Gate, a very popular isekai, and Mmorpg light novel, is set to receive an anime adaptation during the Spring 2024 anime season. There are many beloved isekai airing this year, and this fusion of genres looks to be a highly anticipated one.

The anime was announced back on November 9, 2023, by the official publisher, AlphaPolis. Information such as the cast, staff, and teaser was revealed, but there was no word on the release date, that is until now.

The New Gate is scheduled to air on April 14, 2024, joining many anticipated series such as Kaiju No. 8 and Demon Slayer.

Related New Kaiju no. 8...

White Walkers, supernatural beings that pose a threat to Westeros, can only be killed with dragonglass or Valyrian steel, making them highly formidable foes. Jon Snow kills two White Walkers, learning that Valyrian steel is effective against them, giving him confidence in facing the Walkers. Meera Reed, a heroic side character, kills a White Walker in the Three-Eyed Raven's cave, showcasing her bravery and resourcefulness.

Throughout HBO's Game of Thrones, only a select group of characters were actually able to kill White Walkers. The White Walkers are presented as a supernatural threat, coming from far beyond the Wall with the goal of creating an endless winter. They're a threat that no one in Westeros is equipped to handle as centuries have passed and stories of their existence have become legends. Dozens of characters managed to kill wights, the undead hordes who fight for the White Walkers, but the Walkers themselves...

Tubi is serving up plenty of sick kicks with their latest batch of Martial Arts films. September will see returning icons come back with even more action-packed movies, international adventures with grandiose scopes, and even some unconventional gems you might've skimmed over in the past. Regardless of what you pick to watch, you can expect equal amounts of punches, kicks, hacks, and slashes in these stellar martial arts movies.

This is just about every notable martial arts film hitting Tubi in the month of September. Every film will be available to watch from as early as September 1 unless stated otherwise.

Unleashed (2005)

Unleashed is what happens when you smash together Yuen Woo-ping's choreography, a lead performance by Jet Li (Once Upon a Time in China), and a soundtrack by the English trip-hop group Massive Attack. Released in 2005, Unleashed sees Jet Li playing a man reduced to nothing more than an attack dog.

Isekai is a complex and controversial genre. It has as many fans as it has haters, with plenty of anime viewers arguing that the genre has run its course and become stale due to the sheer number of isekai shows released in the last few years. However, one overlooked isekai freshened up the genre by combining it with alternative history, and this is something that many more series should emulate.

Based on the manga written and illustrated by Hellsing writer Kouta Hirano, Drifters arrived on screens in 2016 and was animated by Hoods Drifters Studio, with Kenichi Suzuki taking the director's chair. Drifters follows real-life samurai Shimazu Toyohisa, who is badly wounded during the Battle of Sekigahara.

Related: How the New KonoSuba Explosion Anime Explores Isekai Through a Native's Eyes

The Plot of Drifters

Shimazu does his best to limp away from the battlefield. However, as he does, he's teleported to...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for The Super Mario Bros. Movie!

Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie brings Nintendo's iconic character to the big screen with an abundance of Easter eggs and references to Mario's history and Nintendo's video games. The animated 2023 movie arrives with much anticipation thanks to Mario's status as one of the most beloved video game characters of all time. The Super Mario Bros. Movie follows a similar adventure story as Mario experiences in many of the games, where he travels across different kingdoms and worlds in a quest to defeat Bowser.

With over 40 years of history in video games, The Super Mario Bros. Movie has plenty of resources to pull from to give gamers extra surprises. The movie does not hold back in this regard, as there is seemingly always some sort of reference or Easter egg to Mario's video games and other Nintendo properties. The...

BBC Studios Renews Pact With Zdf

BBC Studios has struck another renewal agreement, unveiling a new deal with Germany’s Zdf today at its annual Showcase event. Notably in the multi-year agreement, which follows an earlier pact struck in 2019, the new deal will extend to co-development of scripted shows. This comes after Zdf entered into a co-production with AMC Networks-owned Acorn TV through a deal instructed by an initial partnership with the BBC’s commercial wing. Zdf will get first option on pre-sales and acquisitions, with BBC shows such as Kingdoms, Make Me Famous and This is Going to Hurt confirmed for ZDFneo. Zdf is also a c-producer on landmark natural history series Mammals and Asia.

‘Doctor Foster’ Gets Japanese Remake On Nippon TV

Another one out BBC Studios Showcase. Japan’s Nippon TV will be the latest network to get a local remake of psychological relationship drama Doctor Foster...

Yes, the musou classic is back with another entry in the long-running series that has also had numerous spin-offs and titles that use the same “warriors” format for their own gameplay needs (Hyrule Warriors for example). And in terms of the musou action nothing much has changed, however…

Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires lets gamers live a dramatic Three Kingdoms experience, playing as 94 of the most famous and feared officers. Take them on a mission to break through an enemy fortress in the all-new evolved castle siege, or play politics behind the scenes, setting up logistics and alliances while formulating secret plans in your quest to dominate the kingdom.

The game features scenarios that transport fans to different periods, enabling them to play through historic moments like the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Battle of Chibi. But just because you’re playing through historic periods, doesn’t mean you need to...

Winter is here again! Several stars of Game of Thrones reunited for the opening of Warner Bros' highly-anticipated Got Studio Tour, located at Linen Mill Studios, one of the show's original shooting in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark), Kristian Nairn (Hodor), and Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei) were all on hand to for the tour's Feb. 4 unveiling that promises to bring the Seven Kingdoms featured in the HBO fantasy series to life. "I had an amazing time yesterday at the official opening of the @gotstudiotour in Northern Ireland!," Narin wrote on Instagram on Feb 5. "It was so lovely to see some familiar faces again, lots...

Zhao Zilong (also known as Zhao Yun) is one of the legendary Five Tiger Generals depicted in the classical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In this film, after 7 years in reclusion, Zhao Zilong reunites with warlord Liu Bei and agrees to assist in his mission to unite China. They fight side by side with other warriors against the enemy in the Battle of Changban.

This historical action is directed by Luo Le and also stars Mike He, Yang Shufeng, Li Tianye, Nan Sikai, Wang Liyu and Diao Biao. It has been released in Japan on October 22, 2021.

Nintendo shocked the world with its introduction of Super Mario Maker. While fans wait the typical amount of years between the main Mario game releases, fans can create and play their own Super Mario game. With tons of content in both Super Mario Maker games, it's easy to see why they were hits.

Related: Super Mario Odyssey: The 10 Best Kingdoms, Ranked

Since Super Mario Maker and the sequel were such a huge success for both the Wii U and the Switch, it's surprising that Nintendo and other studios haven't tried to capitalize on it. There are many famous franchises out there that would likely benefit from the same type of treatment.

The Seven Kingdoms in HBO's Game Of Thrones featured a plethora of powerful monarchs throughout the seasons. Season 1 begins with Westeros united under Baratheon rule, and the surviving Targaryens banished to Essos. King Robert's death causes the country to splinter, with several different claimants donning crowns of their own.

Related: Game Of Thrones: 10 Most Powerful Characters, Ranked

Some rulers were more underwhelming than others, whereas others seemed strong and unstoppable. Many contenders warred for the Iron Throne, but which monarch was the most powerful? For this list, only sovereign kings and queens will apply, so monarchs made through marriage don't count.

After leaking out earlier this Summer, today brings the full announcement for Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning, including a trailer and release date! Eager fans got a surprise treat with the reveal of a remaster for Kingdoms of Amalur, even if it was premature, but today brings all the goods. Thq Nordic have fully revealed the […]

The post Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning Gets a Trailer, Release Date, and New Expansion appeared first on Cinelinx | Movies. Games. Geek Culture..

Game of Thrones has been hailed as one of the greatest fantasy epics of recent years, with critical acclaim attributed to its striking similarities to another well-known series of films, Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson's trilogy, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novels, set the bar high for developing a world as rich in depth and grandeur as Middle-Earth. Indeed, the Seven Kingdoms in George R.R. Martin's books, upon which Game of Thrones is based, owe much to Tolkien's sense of world-building.

Related: 5 Best & 5 Worst New Fantasy Worlds We Ventured Into During the Past Decade

Both Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings are based on the mercurial motions of medieval Europe, the undulating reigns of monarchs, the changing of dynasties as one usurped the other, and the people caught up in the wake of conflict. One added wintrous zombies and dragons, while the other populated its realms with elves,...