Introduction of Avowed
Obsidian Entertainment is back with yet another potentially great RPG, Avowed. Obsidian is famous for developing some of the best role-playing games (Fallout: New Vegas, The Outer Worlds, Pillars of Eternity) and has established a reputation for deep storytelling, engaging worlds, and gameplay.
Avowed has been a point of conversation among RPG fans since it’s reveal way back in 2020. Being pitched as Obsidian’s answer to The Elder Scrolls, the game transports players to the plush Pillars of Eternity world but in the first-person. Expectations are high, given Obsidian’s previous project successes.
We’ll begin with an overview of everything about Avowed to date — its world, its gameplay systems, its release info, and the reasons why this could very well be the most exciting RPG in the last couple of years.
What is Avowed?
Set in the Pillars of Eternity Universe, a First-Person RPG
Avowed is a fantasy first-person RPG set in Eora (the setting of Pillars of Eternity). In contrast to its predecessor’s isometric perspective, Avowed is played in a first-person, immersive mode akin to the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
How It Compares to Other RPGs
Avowed, in contrast to The Outer Worlds’ sci-fi gameplay, is medieval fantasy.
The game’s first-person combat, magic system and open world exploration make it feel very much like a Skyrim, even with its own unique flavor.
It is up in the air whether the game will have deep RPG elements, with choices affecting the story and limbs.
Link to Pillars of Eternity
For long-time fans, since Avowed is set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, there should be some recognizable lore, deities, magic systems, and creatures. But it’s built as a standalone experience, so newcomers shouldn’t need any familiarity with Pillars of Eternity to dive into the game.
Release Date and Platforms
When is Avowed Coming Out?
Obsidian affirm that Avowed is due in 2024. But a precise launch date has not yet been announced.
Considering Microsoft’s history, it’s always possible there will be delays, but 2024 still stands as the anticipated launch window.
Available Platforms
Xbox Series X/S — The game will be developed exclusively for next-gen Xbox consoles.
PC – It will also come to PC players as an Xbox Game Studios title.
No PlayStation or Switch Versions — Avowed is a Microsoft-exclusive, meaning PlayStation and Switch players will not have access to it.
Available on Day-One with Xbox Game Pass
Avowed will also launch day one on Xbox Game Pass, similar to other first-party Microsoft games, allowing subscribers to download the game at launch.
Story and Setting
A Journey to the Living Lands
Avowed takes place in Living Lands, a strange and wild area within the world of Eora. A new region that hasn’t been entirely fleshed out within Pillars of Eternity, it’s an inviting locale for new adventurers and for those returning to the fold.
Lore and World-Building
Set in a savage, savage land full of weird cultures and warring factions and old secrets, the Living Lands.
Players will explore political intrigue, mythical creatures and powerful deities.
It will feature a choice-driven narrative, with impact in the way the world and its characters respond to the player.
Gameplay Features
First-Person RPG Experience
Avowed is a first-person RPG, so it aims to drop players right into the world. This perspective really allows for a lot more immersion overall, especially during combat and exploration.
Combat Mechanics
Avowed boasts fluid, dynamic, and engaging combat developed by Obsidian. The game will feature:
Melee Combat — Swords, axes, and other medieval weapons for close-quarters combat.
MagicSystem – A strong spellcasting system allowing players to have powerful magic like Pillars of Eternity
Ranged weapons — Bows, crossbows and maybe guns (Pillars of Eternity-style).
Dual-Wielding – Players can dual-wield empowering weapons and spells for impromptu combat styles.
Personalization and Development of a Character
Players will create their own protagonist with customization options for appearance, skills, and abilities.
Leveling up, skill trees and perks, RPG elements, will come into play heavily.
Factions and allegiances will affect character advancement and the story’s outcome.
Choices and Branching Storylines
Obsidian has a history of choice-centered storytelling, and Avowed will absolutely follow suit. Players’ decisions will mold their hero’s journey, change relationships with NPCs and affect the world’s fate.
Exploration and World Design
Open-Ended Exploration
While Pillars of Eternity had a more linear progression, Avowed is set to feature a semi-open world format. This allows players to roam the extensive regions of the Living Lands at their discretion while weaving through a narrative provided by guides.
What to Know About the Living Lands
Various Biomes – Each area will have its own environment ranging from forests, and mountains to swamps and caves.
Dynamic Weather and Day/Night Cycle – The environment will change as the weather and time of day shift, affecting gameplay and exploration.
Secret Places, Secret Lore — Like pretty much all the Obsidian RPGs, expect lore-rich new areas to explore, hidden dungeons and interesting side stories.
Mounts and Fast Travel
While not many details are available, Obsidian might add mounts or fast traveling to make things easier for players when going around the Living Lands. Exploration should also be rewarding to push players to discover new secrets without being an obvious part of the main story.
Interactions with Companions and NPCs
A Party-Based RPG?
Obsidian’s RPGs, Pillars of Eternity in particular, have traditionally taken advantage of a well fleshed out cast of companions offering different skills, lore, and personal quest lines. As Avowed is a first-person game, the combat will involve him and AI-controlled party members, which helps with world-building and storytelling.
Choice-Driven Relationships
Companions Will Respond to Your Actions – Similar to The Outer Worlds, characters can grow to trust or distrust you based on your actions.
Love and Friendships — Though unconfirmed for Avowed, romance options have appeared in previous Obsidian RPGs, making it a likely possibility for the game.
Faction and Allegiance – Joining certain factions can affect which companions you can recruit for your journey.
Magic System and Spells
How Magic Works in Avowed
Avowed is taking place in the Pillars of Eternity setting, so will be informed heavily by its lore and magic. Magic should be akin to how unique and integrated it is in the world in Avowed as opposed to traditional RPGs, where magic is really just another form of weapon.
Types of Magic
Soul-Based Magic – The energy harvesting from souls, a huge pull in Pillars of Eternity
Elemental Spells — Fire, ice, electricity, and other forces of magic wielded against the enemy.
Ritual Magic – More complex and powerful spells that require preparation or rare materials.
MAGIC AND WEAPONS DUAL WIELDING
Possibly the most ingenious feature of Avowed will be its dual-wielding of both weapons and magic, allowing players to hack and slash mixed with some arcane action.
Enemies and Combat Challenges
What Variety of Enemies Will You Encounter?
The Living Lands has a collection of deadly beasts, monsters and enemy factions. Inspired by the lore of Pillars of Eternity, these are some potential enemy types:
Beasts — Humongous wildlife, mutated monsters, and supernatural hunters.
Undead – Phantoms, bony soldiers, and damned souls with links to world’s legend.
Hostile Factions – Raiders, sellswords, and hostile factions.
Ancient Guardians – Protectors of ancient ruins and forbidden knowledge, these mythical beings will guard you against intruders.
Boss Fights and Elite Enemies
Expect larger-than-life bosses against mythic beasts or sorcerers.
Others might need magical counters or special tactics to defeat.
MULTIPLAYER AND ONLINE FUNCTIONALITIES
Is Avowed Cross Platform or Cross Play?
Obsidian hasn’t announced multiplayer features for Avowed and the title seems likely to follow in the footsteps of The Outer Worlds and Pillars of Eternity, focusing on a single-player RPG experience.
Potential Online Elements
Leaderboard Challenges — time-limited dungeon runs or combat leaderboards
Comparison of Player Choices – a feature in which players can compare their choices with those of other players (like in Telltale Games titles).
Mod Support and Customization
Will Avowed Support Mods?
Given that it will be available on PC, Obsidian will also likely include modding tools that allow the community (hopefully) to create new content, graphics enhancements, and gameplay mechanics tweaks.
Final Thoughts: How Avowed Might Become The Next Big RPG
InXile has had a really good history of making deep, choice-driven RPGs, and Avowed will be another ^] title. Its rich world, engaging combat and meaningful choices make it one of the potential best RPGs of the next generation.
If you are interested in games like The Elder Scrolls, The Outer Worlds or Pillars of Eternity, then Avowed should be on your radar. As we inch closer to its 2024 release, more and more information will be revealed, but one thing’s for sure—RPG fans have quite a bit to look forward to.
FAQs
Must I play Pillars of Eternity before I play Avowed?
Nope, Avowed is its own standalone game, so you don’t need to know anything about Pillars of Eternity. However, lore and locations will be familiar to returning players.
Is Avowed an open-world game?
Avowed will supposedly feature a semi-open world where you can explore massive areas rather than a full open world like you have with Skyrim.
Will Avowed come to PlayStation or Nintendo Switch?
No, Avowed is a Microsoft exclusive and only heading to Xbox Series X/S and PC.
What can you say about the combat in Avowed versus Skyrim?
Both games will involve first-person melee and magic combat, but Avowed is expected to lean into deeper RPG mechanics inspired by Pillars of Eternity.
Will there be romance in Avowed?
Obsidian said nothing about romance, but considering their background with RPGs (like The Outer Worlds, Pillars of Eternity) it’s quite likely.