Avowed is coming soon and Obsidian took advantage of today’s Xbox Direct to up the ante. The game told us more and it is very promising.
Obsidian is one of the most popular studios when it comes to role-playing games. Fallout: New Vegas Pillars of eternity, The Outer Worlds… the company even successfully tried its hand at survival with the very amusing Grounded. Above all, Avowed is being watched very closely, a big role-playing game the way we like it and the way the studio likes to make it, which is extremely fascinating. We didn’t know much about him before, but that just changed.
This evening of January 18, Microsoft showcased its studios with Developer Direct, an event focused on the next Xbox exclusives. Among the great games, Avowed has carved out a place for itself to show us more of its fantastic universe, but not only that. Until now, we knew that from a subjective point of view, this role-playing game would offer a completely new world with diverse inspirations. The developers said that the game would opt for a semi-open world, consisting of large explorable and interconnected areas.
Avowed shows us what he has in his stomach
So not really a big open world, but more like The Outer Worlds in the end. On the other hand, the developers assured us that we would be completely free. It’s up to you whether you prefer to dive headfirst into the main storyline or go exploring to discover additional activities, side quests or even new characters. In addition, the focus is on the companions who visibly accompany us on our travels.
Tonight we could also see that the game will also offer us great freedom of action in combat. Firearms, magic, melee combat, we can touch almost all types of weapons in addition to using spells. Gabriel Paramo, in charge of the gameplay, tells us that we can change equipment on the fly and create combinations of weapons to vary the pleasures and combinations: control an enemy, shoot him before killing him. Drive in with an axe. Of course, means of self-defense (protection spells, healing, shield handling) are included. Although the combat will be dynamic, Avowed is still an RPG, a true RPG.
In particular, we can develop our character as we see fit, not only having to make difficult decisions that affect not only our avatar, but also our relationships and the world around us. The developers announce particularly difficult decisions that will of course have consequences. Obsidian accommodates this, we automatically know the game will be chatty.
A great universe and a surprising announcement!
When we’re not fighting or arguing, we can explore things. Avowed shares its universe with Pillars of Eternity and we can therefore expect extremely careful art direction. This was shown tonight. The environments appear both familiar and fantastical. The developers say they draw inspiration from a variety of real-world cultures and of course add a lot of imagination. At first glance, it’s great anyway.
Unfortunately we don’t have any further information, but the studio will see us later in the year to see more. The icing on the cake is that Avowed is finally offering us its release window! The game will be available in fall 2024. A subtle surprise announcement.
