GreedFall 2: The Dying World is embracing the spirit of Dragon Age: Origins completely.

This tale is included in our Summer Gaming Marathon collection.

Although I never tried the original GreedFall, I had heard enough about it to have a good understanding of what the game was about. My friends said it was an action RPG similar to The Witcher. I had a vivid idea of it in my mind, but I doubted myself when I started playing two hours of GreedFall 2: The Dying World. 

I wasn’t being deceived by my own mind. The next installment takes a surprising turn away from the original, featuring changes in both narrative and, most importantly, fighting style. It’s a complete overhaul inspired primarily by Dragon Age: Origins. While the version I tested seemed to be in its initial stages, the timing of that development couldn’t have been more perfect. With an upcoming Dragon Age game on the horizon, I can envision that RPG enthusiasts may be eager for a similar experience as they anticipate its launch. Scheduled for an early access debut this summer, GreedFall 2 has the potential to be a delicious starter.

Indigenous viewpoint

The biggest difference in GreedFall 2 is that players are no longer playing as a colonizer arriving in a new land. Instead, they take on the identity of a local resident. That creates a significant change in tone from the very beginning. The introductory prologue had me starting in a tiny village and tasked with resolving some community issues. Following a brief combat tutorial (which we will address shortly), I was tasked with uncovering two mysteries: identifying the cause of illness among villagers and determining the culprit behind the killings of local wildlife.

After that, I quickly familiarized myself with GreedFall 2’s RPG mechanics. I would thoroughly investigate all areas of a vibrant woodland while following hints, searching for evidence, and conversing with nearby groups to uncover the truth. The first thing that is noticeable is the level of control I had as a player, even during the initial missions. Following a path of deceased animals and traps led me to discover a hunter’s camp. I addressed their unnecessary aggression and utilized my negotiating abilities to calm down some hostility. Afterward, I had an option. I have the option to pay them back, propose a trade, or launch an attack. I decided to negotiate and agreed to give them 50 animal skins in exchange for them leaving. It could lead to a difficult winter for my tribe, but it would prevent some violence.

My next goal was a complex puzzle with various components. Initially, I would explore the bottom of a river to uncover a few contaminated fish. Next, I would follow that hint to a mine close by. I would be allowed into the camp thanks to a local miner’s approval, assist the boss in solving a theft by searching for evidence, and eventually secure a position working in the mine. Following a lengthy detour during which I illicitly entered a prohibited zone, took explosives, and liberated some indigenous laborers, I would solve the enigma of the sickness and opt to take medication from a settler. A developer nearby made a joke about how my screen looked completely different from the person sitting next to me, who I suspect may have taken a more aggressive approach. The RPG company shows great potential from the very start, even in the introductory missions.

The shift to a native viewpoint is particularly embraced in this case. It seems as though I am embodying a persona with prior knowledge about the world and appreciation for the earth instead of feeling like an out-of-place outsider. Some of the change originated from fan input, since the initial game’s colonizer viewpoint prompted discussion about Spiders’ handling of difficult themes. This change not only gives the sequel a new feel, but also clarifies its own themes and reduces dependence on player choices.

Intense Dragon Age experience.

The most unexpected shift occurs when I engage in battle for the initial time. I anticipated engaging in simple hacking and slashing while AI companions assisted on their own. That is no longer true. Rather than that, Spiders has adopted a strategic combat approach heavily influenced by Dragon Age: Origins. The second GreedFall game is nearly indistinguishable from the first.

The difference is that now, all companions can be directed and instructed. Every character is equipped with a collection of abilities located at the bottom of the screen. If they are not interfered with, they will execute a simple automatic attack. However, if players click on their character portrait, they will be able to directly control them and queue up their skills. Special powers require the use of action points, which can be replenished by releasing attacks. Players have the option to pause the action at any time by pressing the spacebar and organize commands accordingly. The focus lies more on managing the battle’s progression rather than engaging enemies at close range.

It’s not simply a restructuring for the purpose of variety. A developer present clarified that the decision was based on feedback from fans. Fans of GreedFall enjoyed the companions in the first game, however, some desired greater control over them during combat. Spiders accepted the criticism and aimed to create a sequel that would highlight the importance of teamwork, rather than having companions act as mindless AI pawns. Given that fans of GreedFall generally enjoyed Bioware games such as Dragon Age, Spiders believed that the combat change would be well-suited for them.

The system shows great potential up to now. I would team up with two fighters wielding hammers to knock down enemies with powerful attacks, along with an archer who could shoot poison arrows from afar and also provide healing for teammates. Being able to stop battles helped me implement combat plans more effectively, enabling me to move my archer to the rear while arranging my hammer attacks to target as many foes as possible simultaneously. It resembles a PC RPG more closely, matching well with its branching dialogue and skill checks.

With that being said, it is too soon to determine the progress of GreedFall 2. The version I experienced seemed very premature, lacking music, absent voice lines, and filled with numerous bugs. It’s completely normal because it’s just the start of the early access launch, not the full release. However, it is difficult to evaluate because the version I tested is more basic. Spiders announces that only 30% of the complete game will be released in early access, with frequent updates expected to keep players interested in restarting with new tools. The general ideas are present, but input from fans will be essential for adding in the specifics.

Spiders is making a clever decision by initiating an early access program for the first time. Once fans brought them up, the studio appeared to acknowledge the clear enhancements that could have been made to the original GreedFall, but unfortunately, it was already too late. A development cycle with more flexibility will enable the team to create an RPG that aligns more closely with the needs of its players. If everything goes smoothly, GreedFall 2 has the potential to be the studio’s real standout hit.