Recently, there have been a lot of information about the upcoming RPG game Avowed created by Obsidian. However, one important detail went unnoticed. We have learned that the game will feature dynamic first-person combat, the main character will be classless, and the action will take place in expansive, detailed levels set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity. Furthermore, we will have companions accompanying us on our journey. But will we be able to form closer relationships with them? According to Eurogamer, unfortunately, that won’t be possible.
Avowed was announced in 2020, but we only got a glimpse of the true nature of the game during the January Xbox Developer Direct event. It turns out that the game evokes memories of Dark Messiah of Might & Magic (though without the same combat dynamics), with first-person perspective and a sense of fast and agile movement compared to the slower pace of The Outer Worlds, another game by Obsidian resembling Bethesda’s productions. As we have learned, the game’s protagonist will be able to seamlessly switch between melee combat with melee weapons and using two magical wands. All of this will be supported by companions, who play a significant role in the game’s story.
Obsidian, now fully owned by Microsoft, is known for its focus on narrative in RPG games. However, it is often erroneously regarded as the creator of one specific style. Some consider the studio specialists in isometric Dungeons & Dragons-style games, while others expect only Bethesda-style productions from them. In reality, Obsidian’s games are diverse. We can mention such varied titles as the hardcore Dungeons & Dragons – Neverwinter Nights 2, survival game Grounded, and South Park: The Stick of Truth. Pillars of Eternity, which brought the studio the most recognition, as well as Fallout: New Vegas, are two productions set in completely different RPG environments. This means that in the case of Avowed, we should not have specific expectations about the style in which the game will be created.
Although there are certain things that are difficult to let go of. Considering that Obsidian, derived from BioWare, is known for its emphasis on companion relationships in RPGs, one might assume that there would also be a romantic element present. However, as a surprise to some, such an option will not be available.
“We added a romance storyline for companions in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire,” said game director Carrie Patel in an interview with Eurogamer. “But what we noticed is… to do it justice, it takes a massive amount of effort. We also need to strike a balance so that players who don’t choose that romance path still have a fully satisfying and comprehensive experience with those companions.”
It sounds like they simply don’t want to pursue that direction. Which is completely understandable.
Romances have always been an important element of BioWare games, and Larian Studios (creators of Divinity: Original Sin and Baldur’s Gate 3) also draw a lot of inspiration from BioWare. The presence of companions in a game often raises hopes for the possibility of forming a romantic relationship. However, this has been a topic of criticism over the years. There have been questions as to whether every character we focus on has to immediately fall in love with us, and the romance aspect itself has sometimes been seen as trivial. Completely foregoing it may be a solution to avoid such awkward impressions.
We know that Avowed will feature at least four companions who will accompany us at different times. They play a significant role in the game’s story. Patel also mentioned that such relationships could be too complicated in the context of friendship. “We wanted that part of the game to be well-executed, but we’re not quite ready for romantic relationships. Especially in a situation where you’re trying to save the world together with your partner, and suddenly you break up, but that person still travels with you,” added Patel.
Avowed is scheduled for release in the fall of 2024, so it’s worth marking February 2025 on your calendar and looking forward to this promising production.
FAQ Section based on the main topics and information presented in the article:
1. What are the main features of the game Avowed?
Avowed is an RPG game created by Obsidian. It will feature dynamic first-person combat, and the main character will be classless. The game’s action will take place in expansive, detailed levels set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity. We will be accompanied by other characters during our journey.
2. Can we form romantic relationships with companions?
According to information from Eurogamer, there will be no possibility of forming romantic relationships with companions in Avowed. The developers believe that creating a well-executed and balanced romantic storyline would be too difficult and complicated.
3. What are the differences between Avowed and other Obsidian games?
Obsidian is known for its focus on narrative in RPG games, but the developers are not limited to one specific style. Avowed evokes memories of Dark Messiah of Might & Magic but changes the combat dynamics, emphasizing speed and agility. The diversity of Obsidian can be seen in their various productions, such as Pillars of Eternity, Fallout: New Vegas, and South Park: The Stick of Truth.
4. When will the game Avowed be released?
The release of Avowed is scheduled for the fall of 2024.
Definitions of key terms and jargon used in the article:
1. RPG – Short for Role-Playing Game, a genre of video games in which players assume the role of a character and make decisions that affect the game’s story and world.
2. First-person perspective – a viewpoint in which the player sees the game world through the eyes of the character, giving a sense of embodying them.
3. Classless – refers to the player’s character in a game that is not restricted to traditional classes or professions typically found in RPGs.
4. Universe – refers to the game world and all related elements such as the story, characters, and locations.
Suggested related links to the main domain (direct subpages):
1. Obsidian
2. Microsoft
3. Eurogamer
4. Pillars of Eternity
The source of the article is from the blog crasel.tk