I entered the welcoming space of Obsidian Entertainment with a clear objective: to discover a firearm within the fantasy RPG, Avowed, as swiftly as possible. The game, which Obsidian has emphasized is not an expansive open-world experience akin to Skyrim, presents a landscape that feels comfortably familiar yet intriguingly traditional. However, the inclusion of firearms raises the question: where else might Avowed diverge from conventional fantasy tropes?
Director Carrie Patel articulates the essence of what sets the Pillars of Eternity series apart in the fantasy RPG genre. “Our narratives blend grounded political intrigue with philosophical and metaphysical elements,” she explains. “Players often find themselves straddling the realms of gods and souls while navigating the conflicts between nations. This duality allows us to craft stories that are both relatable and infused with wonder, where quests can evoke feelings of both intimacy and grandeur.”
Patel faces the challenge of tempering expectations for Avowed, aiming for a scope reminiscent of The Outer Worlds while still showcasing the expansive role-playing and action-heavy combat that Obsidian is known for. Despite the pressure to deliver a blockbuster after five years of development—especially following Microsoft’s Starfield, which didn’t quite measure up to the acclaim of Baldur’s Gate 3—there’s a palpable sense of calm among the team.
Throughout my visit, Obsidian’s enthusiasm for collaboration was evident, with numerous developers eager to share their insights into the myriad details that contribute to the game’s creation. Ten developers guided me through various aspects of art, combat, writing, and quest design, each praising the contributions of their colleagues. In a lighthearted moment, Patel even shared a remix of Busta Rhymes over the Wii Shop Channel music, a delightful interlude that hinted at the camaraderie within the team.
As I delved into Avowed, I sought that one extraordinary element that would leave me in awe. Surprisingly, I found that perhaps I didn’t need to discover a singular standout feature to appreciate the experience.
Grimoired and dangerous
Once I navigated through Avowed’s tutorial, I encountered my first merchant in the sunlit port town of Claviger’s Landing, where I promptly purchased a modest pistol. Equipping a grimoire in my off-hand allowed me to cast elemental spells without any magical expertise. The flexibility of Avowed’s classless system was exhilarating from the outset, a rarity in RPGs that often compartmentalize magic and melee.
While combat may superficially resemble Skyrim, it feels distinctively different in practice, featuring a responsive dodge mechanic and an action RPG-style stun meter that enables special attacks. The gameplay exudes a certain gamey quality, unexpected yet refreshing, with charge attacks and satisfying feedback on critical hits.
Combat designer Max Matzenbacher elaborates on the intricacies of RPG design, stating, “We aim to ensure players feel a sense of progression throughout the game, but we must avoid starting in a way that feels unsatisfactory.” He highlights the meticulous adjustments made to animations and feedback cues, ensuring a seamless connection between player actions and in-game responses.
At level one, Avowed’s combat strikes a balance between agility and weight, not quite reaching the frenetic pace of Japanese-style character action, yet not as heavy as melee-focused brawlers. The potential for growth in combat dynamics as players progress is promising, suggesting that mid- and late-game experiences may reveal a different layer of gameplay than what has been showcased in trailers.
As I embraced my role as a wizard-pirate hybrid, I explored the nearby seaside shantytown, embarking on a quest to locate a missing ambassador. My journey led me off the main path, where I encountered grave robbers and cleverly persuaded one to retreat rather than face dire consequences.
My experimentation with Avowed’s third-person camera revealed a few quirks, but overall, it functioned well, serving as an accessibility option for those who prefer this perspective. The environments exhibit a hint of immersive sim DNA, filled with climbable surfaces and hidden rewards that encourage exploration. Unlike Skyrim, where jumping often felt futile, Avowed’s mechanics make verticality a rewarding aspect of gameplay.
As I climbed rooftops, I discovered quests and items that enriched my experience. Berto Ritger, a region director on Avowed, emphasizes the importance of player agency: “We want players to look around and wonder if they can explore that lighthouse. And they can.” This philosophy fosters a sense of curiosity and encourages players to engage with the world.
Avowed is replete with tutorials, map icons, and quest markers, yet it offers granular controls over the user interface. Disabling guidance arrows led me to notice subtle environmental cues, such as bird droppings indicating the presence of talismans. Patel praised the meticulous work of area designer Bre Seale, whose thoughtful placement of items enhanced the world’s coherence and logic.
Our story begins
As I immersed myself in Avowed, I found greater enjoyment in the moment-to-moment gameplay, rewarded with treasures and items scattered throughout the environment. This exploration fostered an immersive mindset, with interactable objects responsive to elemental interactions. A moment of ingenuity arose when I used a bow to knock a berry into water, creating an icy platform to reach a mushroom above.
However, it’s worth noting that many of these moments feel like carefully placed embellishments rather than core mechanics. The world, while engaging, occasionally feels artificial, lacking dynamic weather or interactive townsfolk. These limitations are understandable in a game focused on dialogue and combat, yet they leave me yearning for a more robust simulation experience.
While I appreciated various aspects of Avowed, I didn’t find myself captivated by every element. The writing didn’t resonate as deeply as the narratives in Disco Elysium, nor did any quest leave a lasting impression akin to the Bloody Baron in The Witcher 3. Yet, I began to recognize the harmonious interplay of the game’s components. Perhaps beyond the initial area, Avowed will unveil a moment that fully captivates me. The combination of fluid combat and customizable exploration, built upon Obsidian’s foundation of meaningful roleplaying, may prove to be just as compelling, even without a predefined class to adhere to.
