When Avowed was unveiled during the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020, many couldn’t help but liken it to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Its somber fantasy vibe, muted colors, first-person view, and magic-driven combat were eerily similar to Bethesda’s iconic RPG. Naturally, people assumed Avowed would follow in Skyrim’s footsteps, especially since it was being crafted by Obsidian Entertainment, the masterminds behind Fallout: New Vegas—a game with a profound Bethesda influence.
Initially, Obsidian did set out to design Avowed as a sort of Skyrim successor. However, as development progressed, they took the game in a new direction. While Avowed retains the grandeur expected of a AAA RPG, it doesn’t aim for the sprawling expansiveness of Skyrim or Fallout: New Vegas. Contrary to what some may have imagined, Avowed isn’t an open-world adventure filled with endless companions to romance or side quests galore. Instead, it’s structured more like a hub-based RPG, reminiscent of Obsidian’s previous work on The Outer Worlds. The game may appear tightly scoped, especially when compared to games like Baldur’s Gate 3, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in optional content. In fact, according to insights from an Obsidian developer, that’s far from the truth.
In a chat with GamesRadar+, senior area designer Bergo Ritger shared how Obsidian prioritized missable content to ensure each playthrough of Avowed feels unique. This strategy encourages players to explore various paths and locations, sparking conversations about overlooked opportunities. Ritger describes missable content as a vital element that elevates RPGs, making them truly special.
Avowed’s design philosophy mirrors that of Baldur’s Gate 3, the hit Dungeons & Dragons RPG from 2023. For the uninitiated, BG3 is packed with optional, and often missable, content. Despite the main storyline taking around 70 hours, fully exploring the game’s offerings takes twice that time due to its choice-driven narrative. Players are encouraged to replay it to uncover all its secrets.
This aspect of Avowed suggests high replay value, packed with content that players might easily miss, which is exciting for some. When players can’t access everything from the start and choices lock them out of certain paths, it reinforces the significance of their decisions, making multiple playthroughs worthwhile.
However, not everyone is keen on RPGs with complex branching paths. Many players don’t have the luxury of dedicating hundreds of hours to a single game, especially with so many quality titles hitting the market. For these gamers, the ability to experience an RPG’s content in a single run might be more appealing. While some might not embrace Obsidian’s choice-consequence approach with Avowed, those who love RPGs that hinge on player decisions will likely find it captivating.
Set in Eora’s vibrant world first introduced in the Pillars of Eternity series, Avowed invites players to explore the Living Lands—a mysterious island teeming with adventure and danger. As the envoy of Aedyr, players are tasked with investigating a spreading plague in this untamed wilderness. With threats lurking and secrets to uncover, the fate of the Living Lands and your own soul are at stake. Scheduled for a February 18, 2025 release, Avowed promises a blend of fantasy, action, and meaningful choices, delivered by the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.
