Summary
GreedFallandSteelrisingare two of indie developer Spiders' biggest hits, and withGreedFall 2: The Dying World’s early access release coming this year,GreedFall’s legacy will continue to live on.GreedFallandSteelrisingare undoubtedly different games, withGreedFallbeing more akin to a typical old-school BioWare RPG andSteelrisinglikening itself to Soulslikes likeLies of PandBloodborne, even though both games are technically classified as action RPGs.
Despite being two different games,GreedFallandSteelrisingshare a similarity not common between multiple titles from the same developer — being set in the same period and drawing inspiration from the artistic style and historical events of the time. At the same time, they approach this similarity in two entirely different ways, making both of them unique in spite of their affinity.
GreedFall and Steelrising Have Different Takes on the Same Period
GreedFall and Steelrising Are Both Set in the 18th Century
GreedFallandSteelrisingmay be very different games, but they are both alike in the period their stories are set in. Specifically, both games are set in the 18th century, and althoughSteelrisingactually takes place in Europe,GreedFallis only European-inspired. However, although both games are set in the same period,GreedFall’s primary location of Teer Fradee is an original location designed for the game, whereasSteelrising’s setting is an alternate take on real history.
GreedFallis most recognizable by its appearance, in which its architecture and fashion are inspired by Baroque art from 17th-century Europe, despite the game’s story being set in the 18th century. Decorated buildings all populate the fictional island ofTeer Fradee’s major cities, exhibiting the dignity and luxury of baroque architecture.GreedFall’s fashion, on the other hand, mimics European colonialism to a tee, which plays into one of the game’s main overarching themes.
GreedFallandSteelrisingmay be very different games, but they are both alike in the period their stories are set in.
UnlikeGreedFall,Steelrisingtakes place in a real location during a real event, albeit in an alternate reality. InSteelrising’s alternate version of revolutionary Paris, during the French Revolution in 1789, King Louis XVI and his mechanical army are terrorizing the city in an attempt to rewrite the course of the revolution and reshape the fate of France. Players must then put an end to his tyranny while under the control of Aegis, an automaton masterpiece specially crafted by the engineer Vaucanson to be the queen’s bodyguard.
GreedFall’s Fantasy Setting Contrasts Steelrising’s Science Fiction Scene
WhereGreedFallandSteelrisingdiffer the most is in their take on the period they are set in. Spiders has made it clear thatGreedFallwas built withthe glory days of BioWarein mind, so its mechanics and approach to gameplay take on fantasy as a genre. On the contrary,Steelrisingis clearly more science fiction in its themes, with intelligent machines serving as the game’s main enemies, as well as its protagonist.
It’s interesting that Spiders has chosen a very similar period for two of its most popular games, and it’s clear the developer wants to establish some sort of signature design it can be recognized for.GreedFall 2: The Dying Worldis a prequelset only three years before the first game, so it will also take place during the same period. Furthermore, Spiders has already confirmedGreedFall 2will feature the same “Rembrandt-inspired design” and maintain that “Golden Century feel” the first game had. As a result, Spiders' style of choice is becoming clearer with every game and will likely continue to set its games apart from the rest.
