Summary
GreedFallwon the hearts of many RPG fans in 2019 thanks to its thrilling narrative and strong grasp on the genre’s most important elements, andGreedFall 2will ideally build on the solid foundation that it set. While certain areas, like thedecision-based storytelling of the firstGreedFall, could use some polish, the overall size and scope of the game, especially as this pertains to playtime, should remain lean and digestible, even if developer Spiders feels tempted to go bigger.
While it didn’t whip up the publicity frenzy of a smash-hit title likeBaldur’s Gate 3or the BioWare games that inspired it,GreedFallmanaged to find a decent amount of success, selling over one million copies globally. Overall, while the game has its detractors, it’s considered a good example of what the so-called ‘AA’ gaming scene can provide: focused, solid gaming experiences that (usually) don’t fall prey to some of the more maligned aspects of the AAA sphere, like microtransactions and designed-by-committee storytelling. WithGreedFall 2, Spiders may be looking to offer something more ambitious, and while this might benefit the game in some ways, it could harm it in others.
GreedFall 2 Can Stand Out By Being a Reasonably Sized RPG
RPGs Can Be Excessively Long
2023 saw the release ofmammoth RPGs likeBaldur’s Gate 3andStarfield, which can take players well over 100 hours to complete, especially if they are looking to tackle all the side content on offer. This trend isn’t isolated to 2023, though, as most modern RPGs seem to be at least fifty, sixty, or seventy-hour affairs, featuring complex, sprawling narratives and enough side content to fill weeks' or months' worth of gaming. There’s definitely a market for this, with a good number of gamers directly associating playtime with worth, arguing that a product selling for $60 or more should provide just as many hours of enjoyment.
While it’s fair to expect games to be a certain length, not every game needs to be so time-consuming.GreedFallis different from other RPGsin the sense that its main campaign only takes about 25 hours to complete, and most players report finishing all the game’s content in roughly 50 hours. This might be something of a letdown for players looking for a meaty experience to occupy 100 hours or more, but it appeals to those looking for something a bit more manageable and less daunting; it can be hard to commit to a game in, say, thePersonaseries when it requires such a major time commitment.
GreedFall 2 Should Be Better, Not Bigger
GreedFalltells a solid story in an intriguing fictional world, making the most of its short time relative to other games in the genre.Whatever direction Spiders chooses to take withGreedFall 2’s story, it ought to focus on designing its narrative, quests, and gameplay with a quality-over-quantity philosophy. Essentially, the sequel would be better served as a digestible, sub-50-hour experience, rather than swelling to the point of 80 hours or more at the risk of overstaying its welcome.
Many RPGs seem to adopt the belief that bigger is usually better, and while there’s value in a massive and time-consuming journey, it shouldn’t be considered a prerequisite for quality or a strong critical reception. In truth,GreedFall 2can be competitive in the RPG scenewithout stretching to the length of anElder ScrollsorYakuzaentry, as long as Spiders polishes and refines the most important aspects of the game. Time will tell whatGreedFall 2will look like, but it will hopefully leave players wanting more, not wondering when it will be over.
GreedFall II: The Dying World
WHERE TO PLAY
The story starts three years before the events of the first chapter and the adventures of De Sardet.This time you play as a native of Teer Fradee, snatched from your island and taken to the continent of Gacane, the homeland of the colonists. In this old world ravaged by war and scarred by the Malichor plague and the political scheming of the different factions, you need to regain your freedom and take back control of your own destiny. Using diplomacy, cunning or combat, as well as help from allies you find along the way, it’s up to you to end one man’s ambitions of conquest, which could spell the end for both the continent and your island.Dive back into the unique world of GreedFall, this time exploring the old continent! Travel across new landscapes, from Olima – the city of stars of the Bridge Alliance – to the shores of Uxantis, and uncover the secrets of these ancient lands. Meet all the factions that share control over these nations and navigate the treacherous waters of their schemes and conspiracies.Create your own character and find allies to join your team. Help them with their quests, uncover their secrets and make them your friends, rivals or even lovers. As well as equipping them the way you want, you may also take control of them in combat.Immerse yourself in an ever deeper RPG experience where every choice you makes has an impact on your adventure, and where diplomacy, manipulation, infiltration and combat are all viable ways to achieve your ends.
