Netmarble's new title, 'Game of Thrones: Kingsroad', recently held a media and user preview event ahead of its upcoming launch in Korea and the wider Asian market. Set during the events of Season 4, this open-world action RPG aims to serve up a faithful recreation of the original world and characters. While it has already seen a global release, this latest build—now featuring full Korean subtitles for that extra layer of immersion—marks its official debut on home turf.

The preview showcased three playable classes: Mercenary, Knight, and Assassin. While you might initially think three classes sounds a bit light, each comes with a two-weapon system and additional ranged gear for a deeper combat experience. KookminTree was on the floor to break down exactly how these classes play out.

Prefer your combat with a bit of grit and heavy impact? The 'Mercenary' is for you.

The Mercenary brings to mind the likes of Tormund or 'The Mountain' himself, Gregor Clegane. It is all about brutal, uncompromising aggression. They wield a 'Two-Handed Axe' as their primary, but can also swap into 'Gauntlets' and a 'Buckler' for some up-close brawling.

The Two-Handed Axe is pure, destructive power. You can really feel the weight behind every swing, and skills like 'Earth Shatter' and 'Ruthless Strike' live up to their names with satisfyingly savage results.The attack speed might be on the slower side, but there is zero hesitation when you connect. It is arguably the most cathartic class to play when you just want to mow through enemies.

If the axe feels a bit sluggish, swap to the gauntlets. The chain-wrapped knuckles provide faster strikes, and the Buckler adds a nice punchy follow-up. Keep in mind that enemies hit by the Mercenary accumulate 'Shock'. Once the meter fills, they enter a groggy state—the perfect opening to switch back to the axe and land a devastating finisher.

As for ranged options, the Mercenary makes use of a 'Bow'. Even a hot-headed warrior knows when to play it smart; you can calmly pick off enemies from a distance before wading into the thick of it.

The refined, deadly grace of a Westerosi 'Knight'

The Knight is a stark contrast to the Mercenary, favouring precision over brute force. They balance between a 'Two-Handed Greatsword' and 'Dual Swords'. The Greatsword plays with clean, deliberate motions, allowing for tactical maneuvers like 'Shoulder Bash' to dictate the flow of battle. It is textbook swordsmanship for the thinking player.

Once the Knight has the upper hand, they unleash high-damage techniques like 'Gathering Thrust' or 'Combo Slash', efficiently carving through targets with surgical precision.

When the Knight switches to dual swords, the playstyle shifts into something far more fluid and stylish. You can close the gap with 'High-Speed Dash Slash', cluster enemies together, and finish them off with a heavy 'Double-Handed Slam'. It is a satisfying blend of the Greatsword's disciplined elegance and the frantic speed of the dual blades.

Ever the pragmatist, the Knight packs a 'Crossbow' for ranged encounters. It is perfect for picking off targets without breaking a sweat and will be an essential tool for clearing specific combat gimmicks you'll encounter in 'Game of Thrones: Kingsroad'.

The high-speed dance of the 'Assassin'

If you thought the Knight's dual swords were quick, wait until you see the Assassin. This class boasts the fastest attack speed in the game, specialising in 'Dual Daggers'. The trade-off, as you might expect, is the shortest attack range. You will need to rely on kicks and debuffs like 'Bleed' or 'Venom' to melt enemy health bars.

While the damage output is massive, the Assassin is a glass cannon. Because you have to stay glued to your target, stamina management and perfect timing on your parries and dodges are not optional—they are your only way to survive.

The real trouble starts with large bosses. Their massive reach can be a nightmare for a melee-heavy class. When things get heated, I highly recommend switching to the 'Rapier'. It gives you the reach you need for long-distance thrusts, and the 'Riposte' skill adds a layer of survivability. Just be warned: miss the timing, and you will pay the price.

Regardless of the weapon setup, the Assassin uses 'Throwing Daggers' for ranged utility. While they look like your main daggers, they are treated as a separate, consumable item. Keep them stocked and toss them whenever you need to bait an enemy or trigger a mechanic.