Okay, RPG fans, listen up. Obsidian Entertainment (the team behind Fallout: New Vegas) just dropped Avowed, a new fantasy RPG, and the hype is REAL. You explore a wild world, called the Living Lands, and investigate a weird plague called the Dreamscourge.
You can’t talk about this game without mentioning Skyrim. They’re both first-person fantasy RPGs where you make your own choices. But here’s the thing: Avowed isn’t Skyrim. It does its own thing, and it does it really well. Instead of a huge open world, Avowed has open zones that are packed with detail. Plus, the companions in this game aren’t just tagalongs; they’re major characters with their own stories.
Bethesda is known for Skyrim and Fallout, but Obsidian has made a name for themselves by working on popular games! Now, with Avowed, Obsidian is stepping out of that shadow and creating something truly unique. Many see The Outer Worlds as Obsidian’s take on the Fallout IP.
So, is Avowed just trying to be the next Skyrim? Or does it stand on its own two feet? Let’s break down the gameplay, the world, and the story, and see if this game is worth your time.
What Makes Avowed Great: The Core Experience
Avowed shines the brightest when it comes to its combat. You’ve got tons of options, and they’re all fun and useful. As a godlike (someone with a link to a god), you’ll get a skill tree tied to your god. But the good news is, there are three other skill trees you can customize. You’re not locked into a single class, which is awesome!
Those three skill trees are Fighter, Ranger, and Wizard. Fighter is all about melee combat, Wizard is all about spells, and Ranger is a mix of both. You also have six stats you can boost each level. Those six stats are Might, Constitution, Dexterity, Perception, Intellect, and Resolve.
Each stat affects more than just combat; they also unlock dialogue options. If you have a high Perception, you might notice something others would miss. It’s a great way to make those stats matter outside of just fighting.
Honestly, so many options, and I can always find something to use to my advantage! Avowed lets you create two loadouts to swap between on the fly. I kept my spellbook ready, but I also had a sword and shield for when enemies got too close. I honestly wish I could have even more loadouts!
Most of the time, in games like this, there’s the one weapon or ability to use. But in Avowed? I’m always swapping between weapons. They all feel unique and have good uses! It’s easy to get into the crafting system too. Every time I camped, I had enough stuff to upgrade my gear. It is a great thing because gear gets outdated fairly quickly.
The Story: A Plague, Colonialism, and Tough Choices
Avowed takes place in Eora, the same world as Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity games. But don’t worry if you haven’t played those (I haven’t!). You start on an island near the Living Lands and jump straight into the action. It serves as a perfect tutorial area that teaches the player before shipping them off to the main area.
You’re there to investigate the Dreamscourge, a mysterious plague. It’s not long before you see its effects, but the full story takes time to unfold. You’re a colonizer, and not everyone’s happy about it. But you don’t have to be a jerk. The game gives you lots of chances to side with the locals. There are many difficult moral situations that makes me consider each choice! I connected with the characters. Dialogue is natural and expands on the characters.
You’ll meet four companions. These aren’t just random NPCs. They have full backstories, great voice acting, and give you their thoughts on your choices. They’ll fight with you, talk to other NPCs, and even chat with each other. Luckily, you don’t have to drag along certain companions for certain missions.
And, in a twist, the companions can’t be romanced. Companions will share their views during important decisions, but won’t be judgmental. Instead, they just want to understand you better and build a rapport.
I really enjoyed the main story, and some of the side ones too! You will want to uncover all the secrets! It will be best if you discover it on your own!
A World Covered in Fungus: The Look and Feel
Avowed goes for a specific look right from the start. As a godlike, you have weird fungal or plant-like growths on your face. You can turn them off if they freak you out, but even if you do, NPCs will still treat you like they see them. It’s how they know you’re a godlike.
One race you can choose is the human and elf, but I wanted the sharp toothed scaly ones instead! Sadly those races were not available. Oh well!
The Living Lands themselves are all about nature gone wild. Plants grow everywhere, roots burst through buildings, and colorful mushrooms dot the landscape. It gives Avowed a really unique look. It’s pretty dangerous too. Nature is taking over!
So Much To Talk About, So Little Space
With any RPG of this scope, there’s always more to talk about. The moment it clicked for me was when I was unleashed in Dawnshore, the first open zone. I think I spent six out of my first ten hours just exploring the area around Paradis before going back to the story. Then I was wandering around a ruin when I ran into another godlike. I was able to snag his flaming sword, but I’ll leave you to figure out how that happened!
You’ll play it the way you want! That is the beauty of it. I can tell I will play this game different times just to see what outcomes I get!
The Verdict: Sets the Standard For Future RPGs
It’s been a bit since I’ve played Skyrim, but I can honestly say that Avowed is its own thing. Skyrim might be iconic, but Avowed nails combat, story, dialogue, companions, side quests, and visuals.
Avowed is now what I will be looking for in the new RPGs of the future! It’s not hard to imagine this will be a great game for players to share their varied experiences. It’s not hard to imagine this will be a great game for players to share their varied experiences.
FAQ:
Q: How Long is this game?
A: No details have been released at this time!
Q: Are their companions?
A: There are said to be four companions at launch, each having their unique backstory.
Q: What platforms are this game available on?
A: PC and XBOX Series X
Q: What perspective is this game played in?
A: This game is played in first and third person!