Greedfall 2: The Dying World promises even deeper immersion for players, surpassing its predecessor. Developed by Spiders, the game continues to explore the captivating universe of Teer Fradee, paying particular attention to the evolution of the combat system. For Jehanne Rousseau, director of the studio, who we were able to interview, Greedfall 2 fits into the Baroque Fantasy genre, immersing players in an alternative universe reminiscent of the 17th century. This unusual perspective offers a unique setting, far from medieval periods or completely imaginary worlds imbued with modernity.
Quick look back at Greedfall
Greedfall was a good game but it could have benefited from some gameplay improvements. It is precisely on this aspect that its sequel strives to focus.
We had the opportunity to dive into the Greedfall 2: The Dying World tutorial, including character creation and the first two hours of gameplay. The character editor offers a wide variety of possibilities for customizing your hero, with six different attributes, including Strength, Agility and Perception, to shape the skills and abilities of your protagonist. There are also different fighting styles to choose from, each offering a distinct play style.
The path of Water focuses on the care and protection of allies, the Path of Air favors defensive combat, while the Path of Blood is oriented towards pure offensive (charges directly into the opponent, large quick and fast attacks). Although the demo we were able to test did not include a character editor for the hero’s physique, this feature will be present in the final version of the game, offering even more customization and immersion.
A prequel with Greedfall 2
Greedfall 2: The Dying World takes place three years before the events of the first game, in a world ravaged by Malichor, a devastating disease decimating the populations of the Old World. Players take on the role of a native of the island of Teer Fradee, forcibly kidnapped and transported to the continent of Gacane, the settlers’ homeland. This continent is torn by war and marked by the political plots of different factions, taking some inspiration from Game of Thrones, as the studio director told us.
The player’s mission is to regain his freedom and counter the ambitions of a man whose plans of conquest threaten both the continent and the protagonist’s home island. Players will navigate a complex world using diplomacy, cunning, or combat, while seeking to end the devastation caused by the Malichor. A program that inspires.
Change of perspective and current themes
Thus, Greedfall 2 operates a change of perspective by reversing the roles compared to the first game, offering a subtle but powerful critique of colonization and power dynamics. In the first game, players took on the role of a settler exploring the island of Teer Fradee, but in this sequel, they take on the role of a native of that island, forcibly kidnapped. This shift in perspective highlights the experiences of the colonized, their struggle for freedom and self-determination, and the devastating consequences of colonization. By playing as a native, the game offers players a brand new, coherent and incredibly intelligent perspective. But above all very modern. A very good point.
During our interview with Jehanne Rousseau, we were able to understand in essence that this reversal of perspective can be compared to an attempt to rebalance historical narratives, by giving a voice to those who have been marginalized. A fascinating discussion whose comments actually resonated with what we saw in play.
A revised and corrected combat in Greedfall 2
Indeed, in GreedFall 2: The Dying World, the combat system has been completely redesigned and is now inspired by the Dragon Age series, which brings a new and more strategic dynamic. The influence of BioWare’s game translates into more fun and interesting combat, with the ability to pause the game to plan actions. This allows you to take into account enemies’ strengths and weaknesses, position your team members optimally, and choose the most effective skills to use in each situation. This approach makes combat more tactical and engaging, unlike the first GreedFall where combat could sometimes feel repetitive and less strategic.
The integration of this system also gives players a greater sense of control on the battlefield. For example, during combat, we could choose to focus our allies’ attacks on specific targets or order them to fall back to avoid devastating attacks. This real-time combat management, combined with the ability to pause the game, offers a depth similar to that of Dragon Age, making each encounter unique and much more challenging.
A question of path
Additionally, the different combat paths available (Path of Water, Path of Air, and Path of Blood) add an additional layer of customization and strategy. And this often allows you to know if your character is in his place in the battle. Being in front of danger as a healer is, for example, suicidal. Each path offers distinct skills, allowing players to tailor their combat style to their personal preferences and the specific requirements of each encounter.
As in an MMO, the holy trinity of DPS (damage), Tank and healing (heal) is present. And it still works just as well. And overall, we easily know how to direct our companions thanks to this system. We carefully position the healer behind who will be able to heal our characters, while we separate our heroes between the tanks and the DPS. By choosing who attacks what. Classic, but much more effective than what we could have in the first game.
And what’s more, it’s beautiful
During our two-hour play session with GreedFall 2: The Dying World, we were quite impressed with the art direction and graphical quality of the game, although some stiffness was noticeable due to its pre-alpha phase. We also noticed some bugs, such as flickering and texture popping. Completely normal according to the developers.
Like its predecessor, the artistic direction of GreedFall 2 is of high quality, offering this unique blend of baroque fantasy and alternative 17th century themes. Environments are richly detailed, offering a variety of landscapes from walled port towns, inspired by Spanish and Portuguese colonies, to mysterious forests and ancient ruins reminiscent of the expanses of North America. Each location is carefully designed to evoke a distinct ambiance, contributing to player immersion. It’s very successful and the walks are pleasant to navigate from quest to quest.
Great inspirations for Greedfall 2
The characters and creatures we encountered during our play session were also well-realized. The settlers’ outfits and equipment reflect the Baroque aesthetic, with elaborate details and a rich color palette, while those of the islanders draw inspiration from a mix of pre-Columbian and Ottoman Empire cultures. , among others. A mix of genres that works well.
Lighting effects and textures add impressive visual depth, making combat scenes and explorations particularly enjoyable to watch. The play of shadows and light is used effectively to create varied atmospheres. In summary, on a visual level, the game is convincing.
WE WAIT FOR IT… WITH IMPATIENCE
In conclusion, GreedFall 2: The Dying World looks like a promising sequel that enriches and diversifies the universe of its predecessor. The game cleverly reverses the narrative perspective, exploring the complexities and challenges of the continent of Gacane, marked by Malichor and political conflict. The new Dragon Age-inspired combat system adds welcome strategic depth, making each encounter more dynamic and engaging. So for the moment it’s a big yes.