It’s safe to say that Amazon Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time has finally hit its stride. The first three episodes of its highly anticipated third season have finally hit screens across the world, and immediately raise the stakes for Rand al’ Thor and Co. with threats coming at them from a multitude of directions.
With more of the Forsaken making their on-screen debut while each of the Two River’s former citizens faces struggles of their own, there is a lot to like in The Wheel of Time’s deft weaving of the Pattern established in Robert Jordan’s elaborately written series of fantasy novels.
As Much Potential as a Ta’averen
Through the stories of Rand al’ Thor, Mat Cauthon, and Perrin Aybara, three individuals called ta’averen with the power to change their fates and those of the people they are with, The Wheel of Time quickly introduces a battle between the forces of light and shadow. Rand’s ancestry reveals that he is the descendant of a man called The Dragon, who once built the world up only to tear it down as he was corrupted by the forces of darkness.
As the Dragon Reborn, Rand is thrust into a complex power struggle between various factions that are determined to manipulate him to achieve their own ends. There are the Aes Sedai, women with the power to channel the One Power, a magical force that grants its users extraordinary abilities, who seek to control him. Politicians look to further their own ambitions by riding on his coattails and exploiting Rand’s youthful innocence. There are religious zealots who want nothing more than to bring him down and put an end to channeling. The list is endless.
If all of this sounds familiar, it’s because every great RPG in history has featured variations of some or all of these factions, with the premise of a single individual’s journey to greatness being the focal point for their respective narratives. Think Dragon Age: Inquisition or the more recent Baldur’s Gate 3.
Prime Video’s TV show has been adept at juggling these various threads, deftly weaving various storylines that the Wheel of Time churns out in its Pattern in the books. It has made meaningful changes to the narrative to create tension or further tease out better character development for its characters, brought to life by a cast that really sells its material.
While the initial two seasons were fraught with inconsistencies, the latest season is sure to leave its mistakes in the past and chart a course to the Last Battle that is sure to leave fans of the original books and newcomers both satisfied with how things are turning out, a sentiment that the show’s reviews are reflecting.
The Wheel of Time Deserves Its Own Video Game
Even a reader with a cursory knowledge of The Wheel of Time’s complex power structures and social nuances will see its potential as an RPG that ticks all of the right boxes by modern gaming standards. Its lore is something that a team like Larian Studios would have a field day with, crafting quests and consequences with abandon while its combat systems could put even Baldur’s Gate 3 to shame.
From multiple potential origins for a character to a treasure trove of narrative potential already available to a talented developer, The Wheel of Time could be a dream come true to an ambitious studio looking to create the next big game in a fiercely competitive and crowded genre. Perhaps a game set in the same universe with the player’s character starting off as a ta’averen while they gradually encounter the franchise’s multiple factions through its supporting cast would be a good place to start.
The Dragon Reborn’s story as an individual fated to meet the Dark One (the franchise’s version of the Devil himself) in a battle to save the world is a variation of a tried and tested formula that somehow manages to stand out from its competition. A potential game based on The Wheel of Time could dive into the accompanying madness that accompanies the position, with the Dragon’s past and future selves colliding in a single mind just as Mat Cauthon’s latest dilemma with the Horn of Valere is playing out in the show.
Of course, Larian Studios would be the perfect choice for who could bring such an intricately designed universe to life. Its work with Dungeons & Dragons lore is yet to be matched by others in the industry even as the studio has assured its fans that it is moving on from Baldur’s Gate 3 after the release of one last patch for the game. One can only hope that the great minds behind one of the greatest RPGs ever made are watching The Wheel of Time’s latest season with a grin on their face.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, check out how The Blood of Dawnwalker is setting itself up for success, or how Ubisoft is cleverly saving the best of Assassin’s Creed Shadows in the run-up to its release.
With a passion for gaming that is equaled only by his love for writing, Varun has either a controller, keyboard, or a guitar in his hands when he is not out exploring the middle of nowhere on a motorcycle. Soulslikes, RPGs, and action-adventure titles keep him awake at night and get him out of bed in the morning. He will never stop lamenting the lack of a Bloodborne sequel even as he spends another couple of hours exploring the Lands Between in Elden Ring.
