Game of Thrones has a long history of very mediocre-to-bad games, with one unexpected exception

For a time, Game of Thrones was on top of the world. Based on George R.R. Martin’s still-unfinished A Song of Ice and Fire novels, HBO’s show was the last vestige of monoculture from its premiere in 2011 to 2019. Its eighth and final season completely changed the perception of the whole series with its unsatisfying character resolutions, rushed plotlines, and all-around questionable writing decisions. (Real ones know the show’s true downfall began earlier with season 5, but I digress.)