When Avowed was first showcased at the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020, fans of the Pillars of Eternity series instantly drew parallels to The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. The game’s dark fantasy setting, subdued color scheme, first-person perspective, and magical combat invited inevitable comparisons to the legendary Bethesda RPG. Many speculated that Avowed might echo the gameplay and expansive world of The Elder Scrolls franchise, given that it hails from Obsidian Entertainment—a studio well-versed in crafting Bethesda-style games, evident from their work on Fallout: New Vegas.
Initially, Obsidian did envision Avowed as a spiritual successor to Skyrim. However, as development progressed, the game transformed into something notably different. It still encompasses the hallmark features of an AAA RPG, yet it is more streamlined compared to sprawling adventures like Skyrim or Fallout: New Vegas. Contrary to what some might expect, Avowed is not an open-world RPG and doesn’t feature countless romanceable companions or a seemingly infinite list of side quests. Instead, it adopts a hub-based RPG format reminiscent of Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds. This more focused design might lead some to wonder if that means fewer optional activities. However, a developer from Obsidian assures that Avowed is anything but light on content.
In a hands-on preview, the developers made it clear that Avowed promises a good deal of missable content, much like Baldur’s Gate 3. During an interview with GamesRadar+, senior area designer Bergo Ritger explained how missable content is key to their narrative design. The intention is to make every player’s journey feel unique, emphasizing that what players opt not to do is just as significant as what they choose to pursue. “Having missable content is the heart of RPGs,” Ritger noted, underscoring the significance of personalized adventures.
This philosophy is reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate 3, a hugely successful Dungeons & Dragons-inspired RPG that launched in 2023. Known for its plethora of optional and missable content, BG3’s main storyline might wrap up in around 70 hours, but full completion demands considerably more time. Given its choice-driven gameplay, multiple playthroughs are required to uncover everything the game offers.
For Avowed to mirror this design, it implies the game will be highly replayable, offering a treasure trove of content for players to discover. To some, this is exciting news. When RPGs present choices that restrict access to content unless specific paths or side quests are completed, it deepens player investment and consequence. If all experiences are accessible from the outset, regardless of player decisions, there’s less incentive to replay the game.
That said, not everyone has countless hours to dedicate to a single game, especially given the sheer volume of quality releases today. Many gamers might favor RPGs where most content can be experienced in just one playthrough. These players might find Obsidian’s approach to Avowed’s optional content to be less appealing. Nevertheless, those who appreciate the dynamics of choice and consequence in RPGs may find Avowed enthralling.
Set within the enigmatic Living Lands of Eora, Avowed challenges players to unravel the island’s secrets amidst spreading plague rumors. As an envoy from distant Aedyr, players must navigate a world brimming with danger, ancient enigmas, and personal stakes. The game champions choices that impact both the protagonist’s destiny and the very fabric of this fantastical realm. Releasing on February 18, 2025, it’s poised to take the RPG genre to new heights with its launch on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
