Summary
GreedFallby French studio Spiders is a Western action-adventure RPG from 2019 channeling a number of aspects from developers similar to BioWare, and elements from its much-beloved and respected games likeKnights of the Old RepublicandDragon Age. Although a smaller studio compared to BioWare and other AAA companies, the title saw Spiders garner solid success, capturing the attention of many fans by shipping over 2 million copies since its initial release and becoming regarded as one of the morequality underrated Western RPGs of the modern era.
A sequel toGreedFall(which is technically a prequel) was announced in 2022, andGreedFall 2: The Dying Worldis scheduled to release sometime in 2024. The world ofGFis heavily inspired by the ideologies and events of early 18th century Europe, putting players in the position of an elite upper class noble acting as an explorer and ambassador for an influential guild of traders. Set prior toGF1,The Dying Worldwill flip this perspective by putting players in the shoes of an outsider brought unwillingly to the bustling heart of its capital, Gacane, also known as the Old Continent. The Continent was only briefly shown in the first game before the adventure moved to an exotic island. This then givesGF2the chance to further flesh out the Continent and provide deeper world-building.
Spiders' previous title,Steelrising, was a Soulslike set in an alternate history steampunk version of the French Revolution.
The Old Continent of GreedFall 2, Explained
GreedFall’s Historical Fiction-Fantasy Setting
While there are somegames that aim for historical accuracy,GreedFallstraddles the line between realism and full-blown fantasy, sitting comfortably in the center of their Venn diagram. This stylistic choice created a more unique and memorable world than generically sticking to either, allowing it to explore themes and elements from both.GreedFall’s world mirrors many real-life historical happenings and philosophies, while introducing an atmosphere of mystery and carving out its own identity in the Western RPG genre.
Gacane was rooted in the period of the late Renaissance/Exploration Age that saw rapid cultural, scientific, and economic expansion. Protagonist De Sardet was a high-ranking member of the Congregation of Merchants, centered in the important port of New Serene and tasked with overseeing its operations. On top of that, theMalichor sickness inGreedFallwas a major plot point, as its onset threatened to destabilize society, and De Sardet was sent out in the hopes of finding a cure on Teer Fradee, a newly discovered island equally rich in resources and danger.
How Greedfall 2 Will Likely Expand On The Old Continent
Players didn’t spend a lot of time in New Serene, as it served as the tutorial area before the main quest sent them to the untapped lands of Teer Fradee. Given its setup,The Dying Worldwill ostensibly show a lot more of the Continent. As it’s a few years before the downturn due to the plague, Gacane should be depicted in a relatively more stable state, at least to start. Much of its social and political landscape is informed by the various factions and theirNPC companions players can recruit and romance inGreedFall. Each of them represented the core facets of their respective organizations, informing their place in the world and players' opinion of them. It is highly likelyGF2will give them an even bigger presence on the mainland and expand their motivations further.
ExploringGreedFall 2’s Old Continentfrom the perspective of an outsider would also let it focus more on the cost of progress and the toll it takes on both those who seek to colonize without considering the consequences, and how it impacts indigenous peoples affected by it. As players get wrapped up in the Continent’s shifting situation, they could possibly find themselves in a narrative position to direct its course in a meaningful way. In any case,GF2is poised to greatly expand Gacane by showing fans much more of its machinations.
