I spent a weekend playing Game of Thrones: War for Westeros — and the strategy game is the most faithful companion to the HBO series yet

Game of Thrones: War of Westeros is the franchise's latest video game adaptation, following on from several disappointing titles that feel only tangentially related to the HBO fantasy series.

But I'm pleased to report that the newest video game is the closest we've come to actually feeling like the Game of Thrones series we know and love.

Finally, we have a strategy game that places us right in the heart of the Seven Kingdoms.

House Stark and House Lannister are at the forefront of Game of Thrones: War of Westeros , centering in on two of the biggest families in George RR Martin's series.

Additionally, the White Walkers and the Targaryens will unlock in the full game, set for release in 2027, so there are lots of familiar faces here for fans.

The addition of the Targaryens was inevitable, as they've become big enough to get their own TV series.

While you wait for House of the Dragon season 4 , you can live out your own Targaryen-fronted battles via this game.

Before you read my experience playing Game of Thrones: War of Westeros , take a look at the new gameplay trailer below.

Canon complaint, but you can flip the script (Image credit: PlaySide) If you care about the Game of Thrones factions acting like they do in the series, this next part should please you.

Instead of just having the Lannister or Stark banners plastered on a random army, it does feel like you're immersed in the world.

For example, The Starks can use packs of direwolves to fight, while the Lannisters can generate resources with gold mines.

So whoever's side you choose to fight on, there's enough variety to separate both factions and keep them feeling lore accurate.

Even small details like this sets Game of Thrones: War for Westeros apart from other fantasy strategy games, positioning it firmly in the series' universe instead of just slapping the branding on it and calling it a day.

If, like me (and let's face it, many others), you're disappointed with the way Game of Thrones ended, you can rewrite your own story here.