Second Sun Review: A High-Octane FPS RPG From an Indie Gamedev Team

When a small studio sets out to blend the “boomer shooter” energy of rapid-movement first-person shooters with RPG progression and open-world ambition, you sit up and take notice. Second Sun from indie gamedev team Grey Wolf Entertainment (published by Iceberg Interactive) is exactly that: a looter-shooter with RPG mechanics, open environments, procedurally generated dungeons and a story of a civil war between the Empire and the Order of the Second Sun. It’s slated to launch on Steam on November 5, 2025.

In this indie game review, we’ll look at what stands out, what may still need polish, and whether this title might resonate with fans of indie games who want both action and RPG depth.

Core Concept & Gameplay Loop

Second Sun structures itself around several core pillars:

Fast-paced FPS combat: You play as a Sunborn warrior with special abilities, fighting enemies who shoot, claw and chase you. The emphasis is on movement, reflexes, and mixing gunplay with class abilities.
Loot & upgrade system: Killing enemies and looting chests provides gear upgrades, enhancing weapons, armour or class stats. Every kill could matter.
Open world with procedural dungeons: A large, crafted map filled with points of interest plus procedurally generated dungeon segments to keep runs fresh.
Narrative backdrop: The Empire is on the brink, a civil war rages, the good Sun’s light dims—your mission: protect the Empire as a Sunborn warrior.

So the typical loop: explore world → engage in firefights / use abilities → loot gear → upgrade your build → dive into dungeons → rinse & repeat. The challenge: can the game keep that loop satisfying and varied?

What Works Well

1. Clear Vision & Genre Blend
The game clearly lays out its ambition: “Hi-octane FPS with RPG elements, set in an open world…”. For an indie studio, that clarity of vision is a strong point. The blend of action + loot + open world may appeal to players who like games such as Doom + RPG progression.

2. Movement-Focused Combat
The emphasis on movement and dynamic fights (enemies who shoot, chase you, tools or class abilities used on the fly) suggests the combat might feel more engaging than a static shooter. The phrase “hi-octane” and “relies on movement” underline this.

3. Procedural Elements + Open World
The inclusion of procedurally generated dungeons means there’s potential for replayability and variation. The presence of an open world adds exploration appeal.

4. Indie Value & Ambition
Small-team projects can surprise. Feedback from early community discussion indicates optimism about what the developers aim to deliver. For fans of indie games who appreciate risk and reward in smaller titles, that’s a plus.

Areas for Improvement & Things to Watch

1. Content Depth & Variety
Fast-paced action and procedural dungeons are promising—but for a long-term experience, the variety (enemy types, loot, dungeon layout, world biomes) needs breadth. If much of the game becomes “do the same corridor + loot chest” the loop may wear thin.

2. Onboarding & Balance
With RPG mechanics (gear stats, class builds) plus fast combat, there’s a risk of either overwhelming newcomers or offering shallow build depth. A balance must be hit: accessible enough for action-lovers, deep enough for RPG fans.

3. Polishing & Technical Stability
Small teams often face hurdles: optimisation, bugs, balancing. Reddit feedback during demo phases hinted at menu/usability issues. While nothing major yet, this is always a factor.

4. Identity vs. Comparison Trap
The game draws on a classic shooter style + loot mechanics + open world. That’s a big space. Players might compare to larger budget shooters/looters. The challenge will be to carve a unique identity rather than feel like a scaled-down version of a blockbuster.

Final Thoughts

Second Sun is one of the most interesting upcoming indie action-RPGs of late 2025. It hits many of the right notes: fast combat, loot/progression, open world exploration. For players who enjoy indie games that strive for big experiences without the triple-A budget, this is definitely worth keeping on the wishlist.

If the game succeeds in delivering varied content, stable performance and satisfying loop design, it could be a standout. If it stumbles in any of those areas, it may still be fun but less memorable.

To us at Indie Games Tavern, if you’re ready to become the Sunborn, dive into a war-torn empire where light is fading, loot gems await, and every shot counts—Second Sun could be your next indie action-RPG adventure. Don’t forget to wishlist it for November 5.

Who Should Play It?

Players who enjoy hybrid shooters/looters with RPG mechanics.
Fans of action-heavy gameplay who also like to upgrade and explore.
Gamers supporting indie developers and looking for high-value experiences rather than polished blockbusters.

Who Might Wait or Skip?

Players expecting ultra-refined AAA polish or massive multiplayer scale.
Those who prefer slow-paced, deep strategic RPGs rather than fast-paced shooters.
Gamers looking for multiplayer focus (this appears single-player from early info).

Second Sun Review by Indie Games Tavern.

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