GreedFall 2: The Dying World, Early Access Review - A deeper, more tactical evolution of Spiders’ colonial‑fantasy RPG

Written By Ryan Hayden

Introduction

GreedFall 2: The Dying World enters early access with a bold shift in direction. While the first game was a smaller-scale AA action RPG, the sequel embraces a more tactical, old-school design philosophy reminiscent of Dragon Age: Origins and Knights of the Old Republic. According to the developers, early access is a deliberate choice: they want community feedback, they are actively patching issues, and they have already confirmed more news coming in January (GreedFall2.com, 2025).

The result is a game that launched rough but is improving quickly and shows real promise for fans of classic RPGs.

Early Access State: Rough but Rapidly Improving

Like many early access titles, GreedFall 2 began with performance issues, bugs, and at least one crash during my playthrough. However, the developers have been transparent and responsive, pushing updates and engaging with player feedback. The Steam page emphasizes that early access will allow them to refine systems, expand content, and adjust balance based on community input (Steam, 2025).

This is a game still in development, but one that’s clearly evolving.

Combat: A Tactical Reinvention Inspired by Classic BioWare

One of the most significant changes from the original GreedFall is the combat system. The first game used action combat; GreedFall 2 shifts to real-time‑with‑pause, a deliberate homage to early‑2000s RPGs. IGN notes that the game “harkens back to KOTOR and Dragon Age: Origins,” embracing a style Spiders clearly wants to keep alive (Bolding, 2025).

Players can choose between three combat modes:

  • Tactical Mode

    • Full party control, free camera, heavy pausing, ideal for strategy fans.

  • Hybrid Mode

    • Partial automation with selective control.

  • Focus Mode

    • Control only your character with minimal pausing — perfect for players who want story over micromanagement.

I played Focus Mode, and it felt smooth and intuitive. However, the flexibility means you can tailor combat to your preferred style.

Combat blends magic, melee, and ranged abilities, and while some encounters feel simple in early access, the foundation is strong and clearly inspired by classic RPG design.

RPG Systems: Stats, Percentages, and Meaningful Builds

GreedFall 2 leans harder into traditional RPG mechanics than its predecessor:

  • Character stats influence outcomes

  • Actions have percentage-based success chances

  • Skill trees and attributes meaningfully shape your build

  • Party members have unique skill trees and combat roles (IGN, 2025)

The character creator is surprisingly robust, offering presets, sliders, and detailed customization, including seven sliders just for the nose. It is flexible enough to create a grounded hero or a monstrosity, depending on your mood.

Story & Worldbuilding: A Rich Prequel With Strong Themes

GreedFall 2 is technically a prequel, but it is designed to make it easy for newcomers to jump in. You play as Vridan Gerr, a young initiate from the island of Teer Fradee, thrust into a larger world shaped by colonial expansion, cultural conflict, and a mysterious disease still ravaging the old world.

IGN highlights that the world remains the series’ strongest asset, drawing from the European Age of Discovery with a mix of magic, monsters, and early‑modern aesthetics (Bolding, 2025). The shift from the island setting of the first game to sprawling continental cities adds variety and scale:

  • Crowded port towns

  • Palatial estates

  • Diverse cultures and factions

The story so far is compelling, with high stakes and morally complex characters. Companions stand out with unique personalities, combat styles, and skill trees, and they frequently interject during conversations, adding depth and reactivity to the narrative.

Visuals & Performance

Visually, GreedFall 2 looks good for a mid-budget RPG. Environments are atmospheric, character designs are strong, and the early‑modern clothing, including some truly extravagant hats, continues the series’ tradition of stylish flair (IGN, 2025).

There are minor visual artifacts and occasional bugs, but nothing game-breaking. Performance should improve as early access progresses.

 And Yes… You Can Pet the Dog

A small detail, but an important one. It is always a win.

Early Verdict: A Promising, Old‑School RPG With Room to Grow

GreedFall 2: The Dying World is shaping up to be a strong successor, not by copying the first game, but by evolving into something more tactical, more ambitious, and more rooted in classic RPG design. Early access means it is still rough around the edges, but the developers are active, responsive, and clearly passionate.

If you enjoy:

  • Classic BioWare RPGs

  • Tactical combat

  • Deep worldbuilding

  • Party-driven storytelling

…GreedFall 2 is absolutely worth watching as it develops.

References

 

Ryan Hayden
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