Allow me to explain. You begin in Teer Fradee, stepping into the shoes of Vriden Gerr, a native of the island whose name translates to Rootless. It’s a rather puzzling nickname that begins to make sense only as the story unfolds. You’re tasked with solving a couple of pressing issues as part of your initiation to become a Doneigad, one of Teer Fradee’s keepers of nature and guardians of its people.

"Your initiation forms the bulk of the game’s prologue, and it can take a while to get through since Teer Fradee is such a vast place, and discovering ways to achieve your goals entails exploring it to the best of your abilities."

Of course, things aren’t as simple as the Bridge Alliance is in the area, representing the worst of the world as they hunt local game with no regard for ethical conservation, and mine valuable minerals with scant regard for how their processes are causing very adverse effects. You could choose from a bunch of different approaches in dealing with them, ranging from diplomacy and a quid pro quo strategy, violence that affects your standing with the faction, or even stealthy sabotage. It’s all up to you, and your early allies, Nílan and Sheda, have known you since childhood, but the wider companion cast comes from different factions and can react strongly to your decisions.

Your initiation forms the bulk of the game’s prologue, and it can take a while to get through since Teer Fradee is such a vast place, and discovering ways to achieve your goals entails exploring it to the best of your abilities. Don’t be alarmed if you spend hours just uncovering the map and picking up as many resources as you can find without completing even a single objective. It’s just how the game is meant to be played.

Once you manage to solve the problems of the day, your initiation soon follows before the Bridge Alliance springs a surprise attack and you’re whisked away to prison. From there on, things begin to unfold at a rapid pace, and you begin to discover just how much of the world you haven’t seen yet, all through the eyes of a Teer Fradee native who must learn the complexities of unfamiliar societies, and learn them fast.

"Don’t be alarmed if you spend hours just uncovering the map and picking up as many resources as you can find without completing even a single objective. It’s just how the game is meant to be played."

The game wastes no time in introducing you to a growing roster of companions drawn from its major factions, and who you keep close can meaningfully shape both quests and conversations. Each of them belongs to one of the game’s many factions, and learning who to bring along and when becomes an important part of the gameplay loop on offer. For instance, a certain Naut captain is going to be of assistance in a mission that involves looking for one of your contacts in the Naut section of a large city.

They’re also useful for world-building, and each companion brings their own unique skill tree and questline, which gives the party-building side of the game some real texture. Their respective stories are compelling enough to have you running missions for them as soon as they come up, and each one uncovers a facet of the world that ties in well with the main story.

If I were to describe the story in one word, I’d pick “opportunities”, as every mission you get, be it a part of the main story or a side mission, is a chance to learn more about the world at large, and perhaps further build on the character you’re trying to create. Want to take on the world as a silver-tongued strategist? Go right ahead. Would you like to bully anyone standing in your way into submission? That’s definitely an option. Would you rather hang back and let your companions handle tricky situations for you? Yep, you get to do that too. There are always multiple ways to achieve your goals, and that’s one of this game’s best features.

As an RPG that has you navigating complicated situations nearly all the time, The Dying World is quite a solid game. Your choices influence your standing with different factions and your companions, and the impact of your decisions is felt at various points in the story. While the game’s approach to RNG-based calculations feels a little too simple, it still does the job well enough to keep things interesting.

I particularly liked how story missions and side content often blend into each other, with progress in either one often opening up new possibilities for you to complete the other. As far as building an intricate world that responds to what you do in it is concerned, Greedfall does a solid job. I’m also a fan of how this prequel puts you in the shoes of Teer Fradee native exploring the mainland, a direct contrast to the first game, where you played as De Sardet, a legate of the Congregation of Merchants, navigating the tensions between settlers and natives on Teer Fradee.

"Combat isn’t this game’s strong suit, and it’s a disappointment considering how the rest of the experience comes together."

With great exploration and a solid story working in its favor, you might think that this one’s an absolute treat. However, there’s one glaring issue to keep in mind: the game’s combat just sucks, and there’s no sugarcoating that. You can lean into a tactical pause and direct the whole party, or play more in real time and let companion AI handle more of the work, but neither of them goes beyond an overly simplistic approach that fails to entertain, let alone inspire.

It was so boring that I found myself choosing to try and avoid combat entirely, either sneaking past enemies or trying to bribe, intimidate, or smooth-talk my way past them whenever I could. It’s nothing more than a loop of basic attacks with some specials thrown in, and the skill trees are equally uninspired. Combat isn’t this game’s strong suit, and it’s a disappointment considering how the rest of the experience comes together.

Another thing that bothered me was the fact that exploring the world has you sticking to scripted paths through it, which can get quite tedious the first time you’re heading to a new location. The fast-travel system works well enough to offset that problem on subsequent visits, though. Your ship is going to be an important part of your travels, letting you get from one landmass to another in a flash.

On the visual front, this one does well to create diverse environments with excellent lighting, but it isn’t going to win any awards. There’s a disparity between character models in cutscenes and what you see in-game that can be quite jarring. There was also quite a bit of pop-in on the base PS5, although it thankfully wasn’t so bad that it ruined gameplay.

"Your ship is going to be an important part of your travels, letting you get from one landmass to another in a flash."

The audio design is serviceable, and the cast does a decent job of selling their material for the most part. Performance-wise, my experience on base PS5 was mostly stable, though technical rough edges are still noticeable, and I did encounter one hard crash while loading a new area.

So, would I recommend this one to you? I’d say go for it if a great story with nuanced explorations of complex themes piques your interest. Just don’t expect anything great from its combat system. However, if you’re looking for an experience that does it all, you’re better off looking elsewhere.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

The continent of Gacane, where you’re going to be spending a lot of time as a native of Teer Fradee displaced from your homeland by the actions of the Bridge Alliance, is certainly not for the faint-hearted. However, you’re not going to be alone with eight companions who join your travels as you go along, and they will be at your side as you unleash your best moves against those who would stand in the way of your goals.

If fighting isn’t how you like to do things, you could always choose the diplomatic route, or perhaps try to sneak past those who would attempt to bring your adventure to a premature (and potentially grisly) end. You might also choose to hit the road and admire the sights in a new world with visuals that look like a major step up from what was on offer in the previous title.

The prequel to the original GreedFall is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Check out our review for the early access version here.

Among many other things, the trailer shows us the protagonist’s life on the island of Teer Fradee, which gets ravaged when invaders come along, and the hero is taken from their homeland to the continent of Gacane.

The main story of GreedFall: The Dying Light focuses on a simple objective that gets more complex as various factions get involved—the protagonist must work toward regaining their freedom and getting back home. However, conspiracies get unraveled to complicate matters, with different alliances getting embroiled in bloody conflicts. If that weren’t bad enough, Gacane is also being ravaged by a mysterious epidemic that is known only as the Malichor.

Throughout the story, players will get to take part in several pivotal moments of Gacane’s history, and while there will be plenty of combat, there are also options to deal with threats through diplomacy or cunning.

Technical director Wilfried Mallet had recently confirmed that the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of GreedFall: The Dying Light will allow players to choose between “Performance” and “Quality” modes. The former will focus on providing stable frame rates of 60 FPS, while the latter will lock it down to 30 FPS in favor of higher-quality visuals. As for Xbox Series S, Mallet noted that the studio paid special attention to the port.

“It’s always complex to optimize a game for multiple platforms, and the Xbox Series S naturally received special attention,” explained Mallet. “That said, we had already gained solid experience with this console during the development of Steelrising. So we knew what adjustments to make to offer the best experience for players.”

When asked whether the title would eventually make its way on to the Nintendo Switch 2, Mallet noted that, while technically feasible, Spiders is currently busy working on the finishing touches for GreedFall: The Dying Light‘s PS5 and Xbox Series X/S release.

Another trailer was released last week, but rather than showcase the many conflicts from throughout the continent of Gacane, it instead focused on showing off the game’s general beauty. It involved a variety of locations, including Teer Fradee, Thynea, Uxantis, Olima, and Peren. While the trailer didn’t show off many fights, it did hint at some intrigue, with several characters secretly meeting and making shady deals.

GreedFall: The Dying World is currently available as an Early Access game on PC, with its 1.0 update slated for release on March 10th. PS5 and Xbox Series X/S will get the game just a couple of days later, on March 12th. For more details, here are 15 things you should know before jumping into the full release. Also check out our interview with the developers.

Mallet also revealed that, owing to the less powerful hardware in the Xbox Series S, that version of GreedFall: The Dying World got special attention from developer Spiders. The studio was able to make use of its experience in developing Steelrising for the platform.

“It’s always complex to optimize a game for multiple platforms, and the Xbox Series S naturally received special attention,” explained Mallet. “That said, we had already gained solid experience with this console during the development of Steelrising. So we knew what adjustments to make to offer the best experience for players.”

When it comes down to some of the more technical aspects, Mallet also noted that Spiders was able to take “full advantage” of the storage architecture across PS5 and Xbox Series X/S thanks to the hardware-accelerated decompression technology offered by both platforms. Xbox ports also benefited from the Velocity architecture, allowing smoother and faster streaming of data to ensure the high quality of the world and its various textures.

“We took full advantage of the fast storage architectures, both on the PS5 SSD (with hardware decompression, notably Kraken) and the Velocity Architecture on the Xbox side,” explained the technical director. “This allowed us to stream more data and significantly increase the quality and variety of our textures without impacting loading times.”

As for the Nintendo Switch 2, Mallet acknowledged that the studio doesn’t really have any plans for a port, at least for now. However, the port is possible on a technical level. However, at the moment, Spiders has its hands full with the upcoming PS5 and Xbox Series X/S releases.

Just last month, Spiders released a trailer for GreedFall: The Dying World that showcased the beauty of its main setting – Gacane. Rather than showing the dying state of the world, the trailer instead focused on its beauty, taking us through cities, forests, and even ancient ruins. Starting off with Teer Fradree, we also get a look at the coastal town of Thynea and the nearby ruins, the fishing town of Uxantis, the massive city of Olima, and the megapolis of Peren. While conflict may not be the focus here, we do get a look at various creatures roaming around the lands, and plenty of people just living their lives.

As you wait for the RPG’s launch, here are 15 things you ought to know before you hop in.

In the meantime, GreedFall publisher Nacon has announced that it has filed for insolvency. The company announced this last month, saying that it needs a “rapid implementation of financial restructuring.” It is now requesting judicial reorganization proceedings to assess potential solutions for its survival.

Looking back at the original GreedFall, what were the biggest lessons your team learned during its development that directly influenced how you approached The Dying World?

Jeanne Rousseau: As a writer I would say that I realized the players love to have alternate ways to solve things, combat being only one of them. They liked to have as many choices as possible, and they also enjoyed the factions and companions. So, I really put the emphasis on developing even more the companions, their personal stories and quests to make sure the players would have what they enjoy the most. And we also really tried to bring more diversity to the main path, to avoid repetition as much as possible, adding more alternate and secret solutions to solve these quests, and of course more factions and more varied places to visit.

With the “2” dropped from the title, GreedFall: The Dying World feels more like a standalone entry than a traditional sequel. What does that change represent creatively and gameplay mechanics wise?

Jeanne Rousseau: The Dying World was in fact never thought as a sequel (or a prequel) and always as a new opus set in the same world, like Bioware did for the Dragon Age series for example. But the fact that we had the 2 in the name was bringing confusion to some of the players. That’s why we decided to drop the 2 from the title.

"The Dying World was in fact never thought as a sequel (or a prequel) and always as a new opus set in the same world"

The real-time-with-pause combat system in the original was a defining feature. How has that system evolved in The Dying World in terms of depth, fluidity, and player expression?

Jeanne Rousseau: When we began the development of The Dying World, we took some time to look at the feedback of our players regarding the combat of the first game, and a lot of players wanted to be able to have control over the companions. That’s why we decided to propose a different type of combat, a little more tactical. Of course, during the early access, as it was something new to us, we had to make a lot of adjustments, and we learned a lot from the players feedback. Now you can choose from different playstyles: one more tactical, one very similar to the real time with pause we had in the first game, and one in-between. As we think the players agency is really important, we also added more ways to customize your character with different “profiles” and bigger skill trees to choose from at the creation but also during its progression. We also add more ways to customize difficulty.

Player agency was central to GreedFall’s identity. To what extent does meaningful choice and consequence return in this new installment?

Jeanne Rousseau: It’s something that is even more crucial to me than the combat (I guess it’s because I’m a writer) so we really made sure that all the choices would have consequences. Of course some may seem anecdotal, while others will have a much more dramatic impact. But just as an example, in The Dying World you can lose a lot more companions as in the first opus.

What are some of the biggest gameplay changes happening in the 1.0 release?

Nicolas Ducart: Since the last early access update, we’ve focused on polishing, debugging, adjusting and adding upon the game to prepare for release.

Our final monster and all bosses’ encounters have now been readjusted, added and completed. We also improved the detection system so that reaching an enemy’s back is more challenging, and enemy alert propagation now affects how quickly combat begins – it aims at making this part of the game more engaging and seamless. We added specific camera contexts and refined movement in every stance in combat too. There is no longer a cooldown on posture skills, and we implemented safeguards for “last man standing” situations, for using resurrection on allies. In addition, we carried out extensive balancing work on equipment, crafting, traders, consumable limits, reputation, romances, rewards, and loot. We also polished enemy encounters and their scaling throughout the adventure.

When the game releases, players will be able to experience the whole adventure of GreedFall: The Dying World, and we are eager to see what they think of it.

"Now you can choose from different playstyles: one more tactical, one very similar to the real time with pause we had in the first game, and one in-between."

How long will it take to beat the game?

Nicolas Ducart: It depends on how thorough you want to be, and on one’s playstyle and preferences. We roughly estimate that it will take around 30 hours to reach the end if you play straight through the main quest. However, if you want to do all the content (side quests, exploration, etc.), the game can take more than 50 hours to complete.

What can you tell us about the world size and how seamless it will be?

Nicolas Ducart: The world in the game has a structure like the first GreedFall: it’s semi-open. You can move through a region by traveling from one area to another. The cool twist here is that you get a ship in GreedFall: The Dying World named the Constanzia, so when you need to change regions, you can use it to cross the sea.

Most of the game takes place on the continent of Gacane, where the cities are more diverse than those on the island of Teer Fradee too. Each city has its own culture and architecture, which results in more density and variety in the areas you can discover throughout the adventure. In GreedFall: The Dying World, the world will feel even bigger and more diverse for the players. The entire world has a lot to offer that just asks to be discovered. As you advance in your quest, you’ll be transported into the different regions of Gacane where you’ll meet key characters that will either help you or be your enemies.

On PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X, what performance targets are you aiming for in terms of resolution and frame rate? Are there multiple graphics modes planned?

Wilfried Mallet: We offer two graphics modes. A ‘Performance’ mode that prioritizes fluidity with a 60fps framerate, and a ‘Quality’ mode that focuses on visual rendering with enhanced graphics at 30fps.

"Most of the game takes place on the continent of Gacane, where the cities are more diverse than those on the island of Teer Fradee too."

Xbox Series S continues to be an important part of the ecosystem. What were the biggest technical challenges in scaling The Dying World for Series S, and how did the team approach optimization?

Wilfried Mallet: It’s always complex to optimize a game for multiple platforms, and the Xbox Series S naturally received special attention. That said, we had already gained solid experience with this console during the development of Steelrising. So we knew what adjustments to make to offer the best experience for players.

How are you leveraging features like the PS5’s SSD and DualSense, or Xbox’s Velocity Architecture, to enhance immersion and loading performance?

Wilfried Mallet: Yes, we took full advantage of the fast storage architectures, both on the PS5 SSD (with hardware decompression, notably Kraken) and the Velocity Architecture on the Xbox side. This allowed us to stream more data and significantly increase the quality and variety of our textures without impacting loading times.

With next-gen hardware allowing for larger worlds and more systemic complexity, was a version for Switch 2 ever considered? If not, was that primarily due to technical limitations, scope considerations, or platform strategy?

Wilfried Mallet: Although it is technically feasible, we do not have a Switch 2 version planned at this stage. We are currently focusing our efforts on the announced platforms.

Crimson Desert

The big one, with arguably the most hype, is Crimson Desert. It’s been a long journey towards release, and no matter how many interviews or videos we see, it has something new to reveal every time. Can it meet all the hype? Maybe. Maybe not. One thing that’s for sure is we’re looking forward to scouring Pywel for secrets, learning the ins and outs of each character’s fighting style, and wreaking havoc with our favorite mech/dragon/bear mount when it launches on March 19th.

Pokémon Pokopia

A Ditto imitating a human deciding to open a farm and bring on other Pokémon to help from the team behind Dynasty Warriors – sounds about right. Far be it from Pokémon Pokopia, out on March 5th, to just be Nintendo’s take on “Palworld” but with a 20 to 40 hour story, post-game content and even four-player co-op, there should be just enough to hold you over until the next generation arrives.

Marathon

Even as a Destiny player who’s been disappointed by many Bungie decisions over the years, I have to admit – Marathon doesn’t look half-bad. Maybe it’s because the six Runner Shells actually have compelling kits, or due to the quality of life features, or the killer presentation – from that sick match loading screen to the extraction. Either way, Marathon should have some impact when it launches on March 5th – whether Bungie can keep that going is another issue.

Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf

Following up on the original’s gorgeous hand-painted aesthetic and environmental storytelling, Children of the Leaf promises to be even bigger and more mysterious. Which is all well and good, but it’s also packing plenty of new mechanics, including expanded traversal options. If it can mirror the original’s cinematic excellence, Planet of Lana 2 could very well be a dark horse when it arrives on March 5th.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake

If Fatal Frame proves anything, it’s that the camera is sometimes mightier than the gun and also sometimes just as ineffective against angry spirits if you can’t aim right. Fortunately, Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake has a lot more going for it – including a new over-the-shoulder perspective, gorgeous overhauled visuals, and new features like holding hands – perfect for trying to survive the night. It’s out on March 12th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, and even includes a new ending over the original.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando

There’s something about the cheesy, 80s action movie-esque mayhem that Saber brings to the table in John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando. Maybe it’s also about seeing the Swarm Engine applied to zombies, ensuring plenty of massive hordes that you don’t know whether to shoot or gawk at (the former. Always the former). After the surprisingly fun demo, we’re keen to go commando even more when the full game launches on March 12th.

Docked

Of course, Saber Interactive doesn’t just want to cater to your urge for co-op chaos. No, it also knows there’s an audience for operating big machinery and solving real-world problems, like in Docked. As the lead operator of a dock wrecked by a hurricane, it’s your job to keep the cargo moving, managing and operating heavy equipment, bringing in contracts, and building it back up. It’s out on March 5th for just $29.99 on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

Maybe you’re interested in the antics of Azuria and Vermeil, two kingdoms at odds while the Crystal Encroachment wreaks havoc. But if you’re just here for the monsters, Monster Hunter Stories 3, launching on March 13th, has plenty to throw at you. From old-school classics like Yama Tsukami to the contemporary, Malzeno, Narwa, Ibushi and Arkveld, there is a lot to choose from. And best of all, you can obtain variants with Habitat Restoration, including a fiery Zinogre.

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!

Speaking of surprisingly fun demos, Starship Troopers may very well be back courtesy of Auroch Digital’s raucous new first-person shooter, which launches on March 16th. No building or resource collection here – it’s a straight-up, Boltgun-style retro shooter where you slay many, many bugs. Does it feel a little Helldivers-esque at times, especially with the drop pods? Well, sure, but full circle and whatnot, and how can you possibly say no to Johnny Rico himself?

GreedFall: The Dying World

The other game to drop the “2”, that too before Overwatch, is GreedFall: The Dying World. Furthermore, it’s out on March 12th, finally exiting early access after an…ambitious entry on September 24th. But there’s new content, improved combat, more companions, additional quests, and even more to come, including a PS5 and Xbox Series X/S release. Maybe it can finally redeem the GreedFall name, such as it is.

Screamer

I’ll admit to some consternation, especially after JDM: Japanese Drift Master tried to fuse manga and street racing, but Screamer is clearly on another level. Boasting anime cutscenes, multiple playable characters, and the ECHO for power-ups like Strikes and Boosts, it’s a surprisingly intriguing mix. The futuristic setting and team racing modes, where your crew can take on others, are just the icing on top when Screamer launches on March 26th.

WWE 2K26

WWE Creative being dull and CM Punk headlining a new video game – name a more iconic duo. Thankfully, the latter means a new 2K Showcase focused on his best matches and some fantasy warfare against Legends that could have been. Other notable features include the return of Inferno, I Quit and 3 Stages of Hell matches, the ability to stack tables, and over 400 characters, perhaps the largest in history (and that’s not including DLC following the post-March 13th release).

Scott Pilgrim EX

Toronto’s time-space has been messed up, with fantastical threats like Robots and Vegans laying claim to the city. Who better to fight back, other than literally anyone else, than Scott Pilgrim and friends? Following up on Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, this is a new beat ’em up from Tribute Games with seven playable fighters, four-player local and online co-op (with drop-in/drop-out supported) and a progression system centered around Badges. If you enjoyed Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, then EX may be up your alley when it launches on March 3rd.

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection

Following up on the well-received Battle Network Legacy Collection, Mega Man Star Force gets its own compilation on March 27th with all three titles and their versions. And considering the dozens of hours you can invest in each, complete with a new gallery and online play for battling, it may be just what the Doctor (not Wily) ordered.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PC)

One of the least surprising announcements of all time – thanks ESRB and Kojima – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach nevertheless promises to be the most stunning version when it releases on March 19th. It includes Ultrawide support, upscaling and Frame Generation across DLSS 4, FSR 3 and XeSS 2.0, and even lets you enable Decima’s own Pico upscaling tech. Combine this with hardware requirements that are more than achievable – just maybe buy a new SSD – and it may very well warrant another playthrough.

GreedFall: The Dying World is an old-school influenced RPG that takes place three years before its well-received predecessor. As it’s technically a prequel, developer Spiders saw fit to drop the number two from its title during its early access phase; and, during the near-eighteen months the game’s been in early access, the studio has brought changes infinitely more sweeping than a simple name tweak. From revamped systems, to visual overhauls and new locations, here are fifteen things to know before you buy GreedFall: The Dying World 1.0.

Overhauled “Real-Time With Pause” Combat

One of GreedFall: The Dying World’s biggest deviations from its predecessor is the shift from action-orientated gameplay to a “real-time with pause” combat system. Spiders has cited classic RPGs Dragon Age: Origins and Knights of the Old Republic as influences for the new, more strategic, party-focused combat, but not everyone was convinced when the follow-up launched to early access. Rigid, rough, and antiquated were common grievances, but Spiders has stuck with the system, smoothening its edges, adding playstyle customisation, and target lock systems. The real test, whether these changes mark improvement, will be when you – the player – get your hands on 1.0, and can experience the overhauled combat – its dynamic action and tactical pauses – in context of GreedFall: The Dying World’s final version.

Tactical Party Control

Unlike the first game, The Dying World allows you to manage the actions of all your party members, opening up new avenues for strategic and tactical control. See, each character has access to a pool of Action Points, and it’s down to you during tactical pauses whether to spend them on executing skills, restoring life, or unleashing special abilities. Actively switching between party members is possible during combat too.

The Story Is Complete

The early access version represents approximately 30% of the final game, with the main quest up to now taking you from the island of Teer Fradee as far as the city of Olima. Now, in our early access review back in September 2024, we described the first hour of The Dying World’s story as “pretty dull.” While November’s update 0.3 brought a new region, and a continuation of the game’s overarching quest, 1.0’s narrative framework from start to finish still needs finesse. By the end, let’s hope the entire journey across the Old Continent lives up to its grandeur.

New Disguise System Facilitates Stealth

Like a covert spy, in GreedFall: The Dying World you can dress in the uniform of your enemies to infiltrate their stronghold undetected. The Disguise System is the game’s method of adding stealth to your skillset, and it’s an alternative to direct combat that’s as simple as wearing faction-specific armour on the inside of said faction’s base. Tied to the inventory system and stealth branches on the skill tree, the effectiveness of using disguises for subterfuge looks set to be influenced by the quality of gear you acquire and the skill points you spend.

Revamped Armour System

Another overhaul which arrived in November’s 0.3 update, and is set to be rolled out with 1.0, is the revamped armour system. When early access launched, the armour system was separated into two: one bar for physical damage, the other for magic. The community felt that the system was unintuitive, and that it didn’t provide any opportunity for creative synergies. So, Spiders looked to the first GreedFall game for inspiration, and now the interface is simpler, tactics are expanded, and there is space for team-wide synergies. Your armour now reduces incoming physical damage and magic deflection gives additional health while minimising magic damage.

Gear Crafting and Upgrading are New Additions

Previously, The Dying World gave you the tools to craft items to use in combat and to heal yourself, whereas now weapons can be created from scratch, giving new levels of satisfaction when you scythe down your enemies with a blade you forged yourself. Accessible via workbenches located throughout the world, you’ll be able to upgrade your weapons, providing you’re skilled-up enough and carrying all the necessary components. Old weapons can be recycled for materials, and, of course, new weapons can be made, copied from collectable blueprints. What’s more, if your crafting skills aren’t up to snuff, there are blacksmiths on hand to hammer your shiny new sword for you, albeit for a fee.

There’s a New City Beyond Olima — Peren

Another 0.3 addition that’ll be fully explorable in GreedFall: The Dying World’s full version is a new city. Characterised by gothic spires and misty hilltops, Peren is a shining city blighted by nefarious nobility and ravaging plague. With a winding network of subterranean catacombs, Spiders promise there’s plenty to see and do beyond continuing the main quest.

There Are Two New Companions

Yep, two newcomers can accompany you on your voyage across the Old Continent: seasoned explorer Safia and grizzled soldier Till – both added to the game in March’s 0.2 update. Safia is a ranged specialist, using muskets and other firearms to keep enemies at bay. Her wisdom props her as the mother of your party, always eager to offer advice and guidance. Till, on the other hand, is a defender whose loyalty is as sturdy as his strength.

Character Creator has Been Greatly Expanded

On early access launch, The Dying World’s character creator was sparse, to say the least. Now, with 1.0 on the horizon, if you’re the type to spend hours perfecting the shape of your character’s lips you’ll be made up with the expansions Spiders has brought. In short, there’s a myriad of choices, with sliders adjusting eyes, nose, face, mouth, chin, and more. More distinguishing features, like scars, can give your character a more personable backstory, although if you’d rather get straight into the game you can randomise your character’s look or choose from a selection of presets.

New, Overarching Antagonist — Kurnaz 

Just-announced in January, Kurnaz is the cold yet charismatic villain who’ll be a thorn in your side throughout your time in the Old Continent. The leader of an imperialist subfaction of the Bridge Alliance, Kurnaz has experienced something of a Napoleonic rise through the ranks, and as such follows his superiority complex to crush anyone who opposes him. Kurnaz’s narrative beats are currently under wraps, but his backstory looks to fit right in with the complex, mystifying world Spiders has created for this follow-up.

Visual and Performance Upgrades Arrived Throughout Early Access

Beyond updating character creators and retooling system UI, Spiders has been absorbing your feedback on the overall state of The Dying World’s visuals since early access launch. Their response was to focus heavily on optimising the game engine, with richer environmental detail, expressive character animations, realistic lighting, and more, coinciding with an extensive list of bug fixes which were aimed squarely at improving performance.

Photomode Will Be Included

A heavily requested community feature made its way into the early access build in the November update, and it’ll be rolled out when 1.0 lands. Photomode includes all the options to snap with skill and personality, from basics like shutter speed adjustments, to blur distance and exposure changes. It’s the sort of photomode which pushes you towards digital tourism; handy for when you’re strolling Peren’s pristine streets in golden hour.

“Game Profiles” are Selectable Playstyles

Another community-led change, Game Profiles are now selectable at the start of a new game, governing playstyle, difficulty, keybinds, camera controls, and more. Playstyles include the combat-focused “Tactical”, character-led “Focused”, or the balanced “Hybrid” experience. From there, the level of challenge, story focus, camera sensitivity – even an invincibility switch – can tailor the game exactly how you want to play it, before you’ve even begun.

Custom Save Files are Being Removed

Custom Save Files drop you right into specific parts of the game: early-game skips, late-game exploits, new content only, and so on. They’ve only been a part of the early access experience since November but Spiders announced even before they arrived that they won’t be included in the final build of the game; the idea was to streamline feedback and info gathering for specific portions of the game, but there’s no need once early access ends.

Release Date, Platforms, Price, and PC Requirements

GreedFall: The Dying World 1.0 will release on March 12th, with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S joining the PC version that’s already playable in early access via Steam. The final build will cost more than early access, with console pre-orders currently retailing at £49.99 / $59,99 for the standard edition, and £59.99 / $69.99 for the deluxe. As per the game’s Steam listing, if you purchase whilst in early access you’ll have access to the complete title on launch.

To play comfortably on your PC you’ll need at least an Intel Core i7-4790 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X processor, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT GPU, and 16GB RAM. However, the recommended specs list an Intel Core i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU,and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti or AMD Radeon 6700XT GPU. Whatever your setup, GreedFall: The Dying World needs 30GB storage space.

The trailer features the song “From Another World”, composed and produced by Olivier Derivière (known for his work on games like South of Midnight and A Plague Tale: Requiem) and performed by Linda Oláh, and we get to see beautiful locations like Teer Fradee, the coastal town of Thynea, the ancient coastal ruins nearby, the fishing town of Uxantis, the massive city of Olima, and the megapolis of Peren. Throughout the video, we don’t see much in the way of conflict. Rather, citizens are living peacefully, while animals and creatures roam the lands of their own accord.

However, underneath everything, there is still a hint of coming conflict. Among the scenes we get to see are strange monsters in the wilderness, plague doctors walking down empty streets, and shady deals being made away from prying eyes.

The story of GreedFall: The Dying World is a prequel of sorts, being set three years before the events of the original game. The protagonist is a native of Teer Fradi, who is torn from their homeland and taken to war-torn Gacane. The main plot will revolve around the protagonist’s quest for freedom, and will culminate in events that end up shaking up the foundations of the world.

GreedFall: The Dying World initially hit Early Access back in September 2024. While it has seen a mixed reception since then, the studio has continued to release updates with story additions and other improvements for the game. You can check out more details of its original release in our review, where we gave it a score of 6 out of 10. We praised its environments, visuals and writings, but found quite a few problems from pathfinding and target selection, to a lack of impact in the game’s decision-making systems.

Among the new content added to the title have been the City of Stars, Olima, and The Hub, as well as the companions. The first major one of these updates was released back in March 2025, bringing with it the Hub – the player’s very own ship.

The title was originally released as GreedFall 2: The Dying World. Back in December, however, the studio decided to remove the “2” from its name. In a community post, Spiders said that the change came about due to the sense that the name was a “little confusing at times as the game isn’t technically a sequel.”

While development on GreedFall: The Dying World has been ongoing, things haven’t been perfect at the studio. July 2025 saw lay-offs hitting Spiders focusing on the animation and rigging team.

GreedFall: The Dying World is exiting Early Access on PC on March 12th. PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions will also be coming out on the same day.

After entering Steam Early Access in September 2024, it didn’t exactly receive the best impression – even now, it holds a “Mixed” rating, with 53 percent of the 503 user reviews recommending it. You can check out our review here, but it’s undergone significant changes ever since, including new regions (including Olima, the City of Stars, and The Hub), companions (and their accompanying quests), etc.

The main quest has also received new content, and the awkward real-time-with-pause combat has seen various improvements, including the ability to target enemies. That’s alongside updates to the character creator, an improved UI, and better animations. Spiders even added new combat and difficulty options, allowing players to enable invincibility if they’d rather focus on the story.

It even dropped the “2” and now goes by GreedFall: The Dying World. While Spiders hasn’t revealed what’s in store for Update 1.0, it has touted the game as being bigger than the original in terms of world size and content. Those who want to get in on the ground floor should probably do so early, since the full version will increase in price.

What’s next? Dropping the “2” from its name.

As announced in a Steam Community post covering the year that was, the developer felt the name to be a “little confusing at times as the game isn’t technically a sequel.” Since a “lick of paint” was required, it’s going with just GreedFall: The Dying World in the future.

“The game is still within the universe of GreedFall, so you’ll still find everything you love in it, from the lore to the story itself.”

That’s not all, of course, as Spiders is prepping an “important announcement” for the release date with more details coming in January 2026. Considering delays for content updates to improve the overall game and what’s still to come, it should be interesting to see where it lands, especially if it wants to avoid the busier second half of the year.

GreedFall 2: The Dying World is available on PC via Steam Early Access, but is also coming to Xbox Series X/S and PS5.