GreedFall
Explore uncharted new lands as you set foot on a remote island seeping with magic, and filled with riches, lost secrets, and fantastic creatures. Forge this new world’s destiny, as you befriend or betray companions and entire factions. With diplomacy, deception and force, become part of a living, evolving world – influence its course and shape your story. - Engage in a core roleplaying experience – achieve quests and complete objectives in a multitude of different ways – through combat, diplomacy, deception, or stealth. - Complete freedom in character progression – play as a male or female, customize your appearance, and freely choose your abilities, spells and skills. - Delve into a mysterious world of magic – begin a grand journey and uncover ancient secrets protected by supernatural beings, manifestations of the island’s earthly magic.
Steam User 151
Ah yes, Elder scrolls: Witchers Creed: inquisition's flag!
This game takes me back to a time when not every game had to be either a AAA title,
with the backing of a major publisher, or an indie title that has to hope for attention from the press or from streamers. It goes to show that a budget, "AA" title can still grab gamers and get them invested.
It may not have the level of polish of a AAA game, but it has content, and above all,
it has heart. It's not some soulless shell of a game that begs you to pay for micro transactions or day 1 DLC. For a Spiders game GreedFall has more care and love put into it than most AAA titles of the time. I can see this game being someone's first. You know, that one special game that not everyone liked. But it was your game and nobody can take that away from you.
I for one am glad to see more and more games like this gaining traction. I would put this into the same ranks as risen, elex, Hellblade and a Plague Tale as games that prove a middle market can still exist in the industry, and I hope that in the years to come, it can become a regular thing again.
It’s essentially a low budget Dragon Age Inquisition. It has pretty fun combat, interesting story and exploration, varied party members to interact with (or romance) and a lot of skills/equipment to play with.
Greedfall absolutely has its issues, but it excels in the areas that matter for the most part. Dialogue, characters, and world building/lore. I personally am a huge history buff so to see something new done in the genre with a colonial setting I just couldn’t help but like it. It certainly has room to grow and this could be a great foundation for a sequel, but it’s definitely better than what bioware has been producing lately.
The amount of lore and atmosphere and how easy it is to love the characters is amazing. Sure the combat is repetitive and there’s a few glitches here and there as well as a wonky camera. But the overall vibe of the game completely immerses you into a world unlike anything I have ever experienced.
When I first played it I spent my first 5 hours doing everything in Serene and then finally saw the title screen. Could have progressed a lot sooner but the city just engrossed me. Any game that can pull me in and make me want to forego progression for the sake of exploration like that is a winner in my book. It just captivates you with its quests, cast of characters, deep customization and leveling system.
In addition to not being afraid to tackle some of the nastier elements of colonization, the bit with the Coin Guard mid-game (if you know, you know) genuinely caught me off guard and it was a neat way to reward you for keeping the guard captain or whatever his rank was on good terms with you.
It’s an RPG that actually plays like an RPG, making you live with choices and not always giving you an ideal answer. You'd be surprised at how grey and murky the questlines can be. "Oh, these colonizers are just oppressing the natives, how evil!" you'd think. But then you learn what actually happened, from the perspective of the other side, and now you learn it's not that simple.
Another thing I loved about the game is that it's one of the few that I've played where my character's title in the world mattered. I absolutely love it when you get to flex on people being difficult "Maybe I haven’t introduced myself!” Sure other games gave you power over people, but Mass Effect is one of the only ones where who you are matters, not the army you have backing your every move (Inquisition), or the strength of your character, but the authority vested in your Office.
As a young dad with little time to spare, I was also very happy about the length of the game. It was just right and I could even pick it up once more for a second playthrough.
In short, this game is great for Spiders fans and great for fans of games like Gothic or Risen, but if you're willing to cast a blind eye at some budget ways of making games - it's an amazingly atmospheric game. Nothing says Spiders quite like being too ambitious for their capabilities. But they always have a certain level of heart that makes it hard to dislike their games
A shame the game is not more appreciated. I really liked my time with the game. I liked the worldbuilding and exploring the different cultures. Sure it's heavy handed with its messaging, but I could definitely enjoy it for what it was. I say totally get it on a steam sale. Don't listen to the nay-sayers and instead judge it for yourself.
8/10
Steam User 36
GreedFall is a unique RPG game because it refers to older games such as Gothic or Risen. Despite its small budget, the game is quite large and I mean the entire content of the game, i.e. the plot, locations, weapons, characters and so on. The game has a dynamic, although classic combat system, we have a lot of different weapons to choose from, we also have spells at our disposal, there are also firearms, which in my opinion are very strong here and are good to play with. The plot and characters in the game are very well written. As for problems and bugs, I didn't really notice them, so it's good. In general, the whole game is a very good title and I can recommend it.
Steam User 28
General overview
Greedfall is a very good AA product. It has atmosphere, characters development, intriguing main story and good combat system.
Story
The story is about colonialism in a new land (an island), full of magic and mysterious creatures.
The island is contended by three factions, plus the natives, and we are the cousin of the new governor of one faction. Our objective is to help our cousin dealing with the new land, the other two factions and the natives, while searching for a cure to the “malicore”, a disease that has affected our homeland.
Combat
The combat is a normal real-time action combat (attack, block, parry, dodge, some spells) plus the possibility to pause the game to place traps, use potions and check stats of the enemy.
Our party is always made of three people (us + 2 companions), but let’s say that the AI of the companions is not the strong point of the game.
Decisions
During the game we are asked to make some decisions, which will influence the ending of the game or some immediate settings. Given that is a AA game, you can gloss over the fact that the decisions doesn’t have huge impacts on the world itself, but mostly on some line of dialogue and mostly on on the epilogue told by the narrator.
Duration
I have finished the game in 30 hours, doing almost any secondary mission. The duration is good, but could be shorter, since there are some missions which unfolding is only: speak to A, go to B, pick item, return to A, redo a second time.
Performances
I played the game mostly on the steam deck, with some low settings and 40hz (and also 40 fps). The game ran smoothly all the time, the battery consumption is very good, and it was possible to play it for many hours before charging the steam deck again.
Very few bugs and very good graphics, of course better on a desktop pc rather than steam deck.
Pros
immersive story and environment
characters development
funny combat system
some decisions are important and change the ending
good graphics and performances
perfect for steam deck
very good price-value (especially if taken at 10€)
Cons
sometimes playtime stretched unnecessarily
decisions doesn’t influence the appearance of the world
stupid AI of companions and NPC (that sometimes just stand still)
if you go too far from an enemy, it will lose interest and recover all hp and shield
Vote
Story: 7.5/10
Graphics: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
RPG elements: 6/10
Combat system: 7/10
Overall: 7.5/10
Steam User 27
If the game were more condensed, it would be the studio's best game. Unfortunately, the amount of backtracking is overwhelming and the game has absolutely no respect for the player's time. Completing quests and side activities is even more tiring than in the latest Assassin's Creed games.
The plot and relationships between the characters are well written, and there is an interesting combat system (although it is not very developed and is based more on mechanics from looter shooters, i.e. you look at the damage and defense numbers) and good character development (significantly influencing the way of solving problems during exploration and quests).
I recommend it, but rather to fans of this studio's games.
Steam User 67
"What he wants? Eternity. Strength. Power. It is what they all want, those who take without looking beyond themselves."
I first encountered GreedFall in April 2022, on the tail end of the pandemic. I had just received word that, after nearly a two-year 'exile' of sorts, I was finally able to return to Montreal, QC; my island, my city. In some ways, the saga of de Sardet -- the confident, fearless, yet personally rootless legate whose role we assume -- inaugurated the next stage of my life. In other ways, it revealed and accentuated what was already there, and what I was already passionate about. Naturally, I could write an entire novel about my love for the game, but this is neither the time nor the place for a retrospective. This will be a 'proper' review, as the reception of my impromptu piece about GreedFall II changed something within me. Most of my review will be me waxing poetic at a fever pitch, so I will try to get the 'important' stuff out of the way first, just for the discerning gamers.
TL;DR?
Probably.
I 100% recommend GreedFall. I cannot recommend it enough, actually. It was created on a budget with a skeleton crew, and the gameplay and mechanics can be a bit janky and exploitable, but it is beyond worth it for the story alone. A tech de Sardet with a well-crafted gun can breeze through the game and delete just about every enemy -- which is ridiculously fun -- but if you're more into swordplay, then there's more to pay attention to. The parries are very satisfying! All of this said, though, if you're looking for a very refined gameplay experience, then I'm not too sure you'd enjoy the game as much as I did, but if you want a magical and politically volatile story that presents an unflinching and scathing pronouncement on the folly of man, as well as the consumptive nature of greed and its destructive trappings, then you have met your match.
PROS
+ The characters -- absolute standouts. Every single one of them, from de Sardet themself, Constantin, the companions, the various native leaders...
+ The story itself and the constantly grey morals of everyone involved, including de Sardet...!
+ CHOICES MATTER
+ Gorgeous landscapes and sound design
+ Cape physics. I've spent a lot of time in the game just spinning de Sardet around to watch her cape flutter.
+ The game encourages exploration and forces you to figure things out for yourself -- your hand isn't held past the combat tutorial
+ Chockful of early modern historical references, and plenty of Shakespeare!
+ You're free to be a horrible person, but you have to live with your choices (and you'll feel guilty about it, too)
+ In-depth and interactive crafting system
CONS
- The combat can be exploited quite easily
- Textures often clip and there are shading issues
- Animations in dialogues are sometimes choppy, but ones that we see in cutscenes are very fluidly done
- Companions can get stuck on invisible hitboxes and teleport off the map...
- Burrowing nadaigs can likewise throw companions into the fourth dimension
- The cities of the different colonial powers feel rather samey, especially the palaces
In short, most of the hang ups and reservations that I can share about the game have to do with the shoestring budget they had for the first game. I recall reading somewhere that it was only $5mil. If you can forgive that, it's an unforgettable game, and I really can't say enough good things about it.
Flintlock fantasy's apogee
It's a shame that Steam reviews have a rather paltry word limit, as I could sing the praises of this game incessantly. I'll do what I can to keep it succinct and relevant, though; maybe one day I'll have a whole retrospective series in my group/cult. But very, very briefly, the three highlights I'd like to visit here:
The story
I don't want to spoil a thing about the story, so I'll share a very brief rundown. You assume the role of de Sardet, a member of the nobility in Serene, the capital of the Merchant Congregation. As the legate of the Merchant Congregation, you are to accompany your whimsical cousin, Constantin d'Orsay, to his new position as governor on the faraway isle of Tir Fradi, in hopes of finding a cure for the malichor, an insidious plague that is rotting the old world, and to cement the standing of the Congregation on the colonial stage. Yet, this new world was, of course, not new to its natives...
Political machinations await de Sardet and company at every turn on Tir Fradi. Every choice is meaningful, and they all culminate in a dramatic, morally challenging conclusion that will leave you to wonder 'what if I did this differently...'
The characters
There's a reason why I mentioned my absolute love for the cast of characters in GreedFall immediately. They are all fantastically written and designed. Perhaps one of the most unique bits of the character interaction in GreedFall is that they do not begin as trusting or friendly towards de Sardet, but rather suspicious of them; even your bodyguard, the deceptively gruff and stoic Kurt. Think about it: although you trust him, clearly, you've done very little so far to give him any reason to trust you. The native princess ("you are most confusing, but thank you") Siora treats you kindly but coolly at first encounter, the renegade botanist Aphra has reason to believe you're out for her head and holds you at gunpoint the very second she lays eyes on you, and poor Captain Vasco is obliged to relinquish his position among the Nauts after he is finished transporting you from Gacane to Tir Fradi. You have to earn your companions' trust, and there are consequences if you fail to do so. This said, the romances are expertly done. Before GreedFall I would go out of my way to avoid romances in games, as I usually find them cringing or saccharine. In this case, however, if you do choose to pursue a relationship with a companion -- and you're under no obligation to do so! -- it is in-line with their own personality, arc, and their perception of de Sardet. The treatment of the companions is realistic, and in giving them their own agency, so to speak, the story becomes much more vivid and immediate.
De Sardet is easily my favourite protagonist in just about any piece of media I've consumed. As a born-and-raised member of the nobility and a skillful diplomat, one would expect for de Sardet to be a distant character, someone to whom the player would struggle to relate. But the swagger and bravado belies a universal experience; de Sardet struggles with duty, allegiance, identity, morality. As de Sardet, you inhabit a living, breathing world that you can impact. Yet, you are never given the impression that you alone are changing the world, but changing alongside the world. Just as with the companions, de Sardet's character arc from start to finish is complete and -- hopefully! -- satisfying.
The choices
There is no "good" ending for GreedFall. There is a horrible ending, a few okay endings, and the best ending, but there is no "good" ending. Your choices immediately begin to shape and construct your own fate. Acting on impulse and emotion, no matter how well-intentioned, can ruin your goals. Failing to parliament with your companions and listen to their complaints or worries can lead to absolute catastrophe or result in minor, yet irritating loses. Choices as seemingly minor as taking the low road instead of the high, or entering a hangar from the backdoor versus the front can have massive repercussions for the resolution. In many ways, you are forced to assume the role of a diplomat, constantly assessing, thinking, considering how your choices can impact and influence those around you.
The Final Verdict
Overall Rating ★★★★★
Story ★★★★★
Gameplay ★★★★☆
Graphics ★★★★☆
Sound Design ★★★★★
Replay Value ★★★★★
Difficulty ★★★☆☆
Bug free? ★★☆☆☆
PC Requirements ★★★★☆
Game Length ★★★★★
Steam User 20
I did enjoy the game, but the quests that had me running up and down like a dog playing fetch, really made it tough to enjoy thoroughly. Fight mechanics is average and very slightly clunky. The dodge and fighting has no real issues, it's the slog-fest it becomes when you have 5 monsters mauling you, with a knock/stun effect. It's just annoying...
Story and character relations was great. Probably the only thing that kept me playing was to figure out the story and learn more about the character back stories. Also enjoyed that the choices you make effect some of the story outcomes.
One thing I can say for 100% certain. The game should be played with a controller and not a mouse a keyboard.
All in all, probably a 7/10 for me.
Steam User 23
I've played this game on numerous platforms. I like this game. It's casual yet challenging if preferred. There are a couple of twists and turns and unexpected's along the way. It did get easier to play as skills and attributes came into play. All in all a good game I can't wait for greedFall 2.