GreedFall 2: The Dying World is set to take Spiders' colonial fantasy RPG to a new generation of consoles. Starting three years before the events of GreedFall, the prequel is said to take players on a journey through an old world blighted by war and disease. The first game successfully introduced captivating quests and a diverse roster of companions that exposed some of the deeper themes behind Teer Fradee - the island setting for which much of the main quest took place.
Despite some technical shortcomings and limited scope, a new entry could expand upon storytelling dynamics that were established in the first GreedFall. Spiders typically has a reputation for releasing one-of-a-kind stories with a lack of fine polish, but GreedFall was a pleasant surprise for those that craved a solid adventure in the style of a BioWare game. If nothing else, the France-based studio has earned relative success in presenting creative scenarios within entirely original worlds. Although a release window is yet to be announced, it is still possible that GreedFall 2 could impress fans until Dragon Age 4 is ready.
GreedFall 2 as an Ensemble RPG
Few other RPGs capture a deep sense of camaraderie as much as old-school BioWare titles. Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect built upon the studio's focus on relationships and player choice, a philosophy that was initially based on D&D role-playing. Party-based classics like the original Baldur's Gate have influenced many developers in the modern era, and these tabletop traditions continue to manifest in games like GreedFall. The second game promises players the ability to create their own characters and recruit others, but it could also expand its scope by giving more control over AI companions during combat.
In recognition of GreedFall 2's renewed emphasis on characters, the inclusion of allies in tactical encounters should be prioritized to some extent. The existing third-person action in GreedFall can be fun as it balances a variety of melee and ranged combat abilities with its character builds. These interactions are ultimately a part of each player's story, and it might be an exciting change-of-pace if the next game offers players a more robust system for managing their parties during quests.
How BioWare Games Can Influence GreedFall
There are still many high-profile RPGs in development, and longtime BioWare fans might be wondering whether the team will even include returning characters in the next Mass Effect. In the case of GreedFall 2, players can look forward to uncovering major events which preceded the first game. Although this could be a simple exercise in broader narrative exposition, it could also function as an opportunity to bring life to iconic factions that were mentioned in the first game - including the architects of the powerful Bridge Alliance.
Unique cultures and political decision-making were some of the greatest strengths of Dragon Age: Inquisition, and Spiders could take cues from the fantasy series to allow players to influence the direction of the story. In GreedFall 2, the player character is a native of Teer Fradee who is forcefully taken to Gacane, the continent where the Bridge Alliance is based. It is unlikely that the story will put the protagonist in a position of power early on, but it is possible that these circumstances will lead to a complex web of conflicts on the continent. It would not be the first time that a GreedFall story explored mature themes.
While there is still little information on just how GreedFall 2 will improve upon its predecessor, fans can anticipate the potential for more surprises from Spiders. With its character-driven influences and strong worldbuilding, there is already a great foundation to build upon for this upcoming RPG. In the meantime, those that enjoy great Hard Fantasy RPGs might want to think about revisiting their backlogs.
GreedFall 2: The Dying World is in development for PC and consoles.
