Discover Greedfall II: A Prequel Set to Elevate the Original
GreedFall II: The Dying World is here, and it's not just a sequel but a prequel that promises to enhance the original. Five years after the first game, Spiders Studio has brought us a fresh take on the series. Now available in early access on PC, GreedFall II has several features that make us eager to dive in.
The Story Unfolds
The game starts in Teer Fradee, the land of the natives, which is being invaded by continentals. This is three years before the events of the first GreedFall. The continentals are struck by a mysterious illness called Malichor and believe the cure lies in Teer Fradee. The locals are divided on the newcomers; some welcome them, while others blame them for recent troubles.
Character Creation
From the start, you can create your avatar. You play as a native, facing a foreign painter. This setup allows you to customize your hero with various tools and options before choosing your class. There are 10 possible classes like protector, hunter, and healer, each with unique skill trees and secondary skills such as alchemy or diplomacy.
A Beautiful World
Once your avatar is ready, you embark on an initiation rite to become one of the village sages. The world is wild and tribal, with stunning visuals. The artistic direction has improved since the first game, making exploration irresistible. The graphics are detailed and fluid, thanks to supersampling (DLSS or FSR), which ensures a high frame rate and impeccable visual quality, even on high settings.
Technical Hiccups
However, there are some technical issues. Hair aliasing, clipping, and flickering in menus are noticeable. Hopefully, these will be fixed in future patches. The soundtrack by Olivier Derivière is captivating, and the game offers full subtitles in multiple languages, making it accessible to all.
Rich Narration
The storytelling is rich, with a generous lore. The plot is intriguing, and the writing quality keeps you engaged. Whether in cutscenes or interactions, the world of GreedFall II unfolds gradually, piquing your curiosity and interest in understanding the natives' perspective.
Gameplay Evolution
The initiation rite serves as a tutorial for the gameplay basics. While similar to the first game, there are several fresh elements. You are accompanied by companions who are now fully playable heroes. The tactical control system allows you to pause, issue commands, and then see your strategy come to life in real-time combat.
Strategic Combat
The game combines ARPG and CRPG elements. You lock targets and use cooldown abilities, generating action points with auto-attacks. After a few battles, you get the hang of it. However, rushing into combat without planning can lead to failure, even on standard difficulty levels. Sometimes, stealth is the best option to avoid confrontation.
Exploration and Freedom
Beyond combat, the game offers exploration phases, item collection for crafting, and tracking targets by analyzing footprints and abandoned camps. Objectives are varied, and you have the freedom to choose how to achieve them. Stealth is often necessary, as getting caught in restricted areas has immediate consequences on your relationships with different factions.
Impactful Choices
Your actions have long-term effects. For instance, in one mission, you save natives from bear traps. You can either help them heal or focus on your main objective. In another scenario, you decide whether to help a trapper attacked by wild dogs. These choices impact the game, even if the effects are not immediate.
Classic RPG Elements
The leveling system follows traditional RPG mechanics. You gain experience from battles, level up, and allocate points to stats and talents. Your dialogue options and specific skills depend on your character's profile. This classic RPG foundation is well-executed in GreedFall II. Your companions also gain experience and level up alongside you.
Looking Ahead
Initially announced for 2024, GreedFall II is now expected in 2025. Spiders Studio is cautious, aiming to release the full version when it's ready. A roadmap includes new regions, talent trees, and companions. Community feedback will help improve the game's balance and optimization.
Despite not having explored all the available content, GreedFall II shows great promise. Spiders Studio has built on feedback from the first game and early versions of the second to deliver a polished and comprehensive early access build. The foundation is solid, and we look forward to seeing GreedFall II become an excellent RPG.
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