PREVIEW – Avowed is a first-person action-adventure game developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind Fallout: New Vegas. Initially revealed in 2020 with a brief trailer, a more detailed insight into its fantasy world was presented at the Summer Game Fest 2023. The trailer showcases magic-based combat and hints at a branching storyline, making Avowed an especially anticipated Xbox Series X game in the coming years.

Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, Avowed takes the player to a new region of Eora to investigate a deadly plague. As one of Obsidian’s two major projects, the other being “The Outer Worlds 2”, Avowed is among the new games planned for 2024 that we’re eager to learn more about.

What is Avowed?

Avowed is a new development by Obsidian Entertainment, first introduced at the July 2021 Xbox Games Showcase. The game, a Skyrim-like first-person RPG, focuses on rune-based magical abilities and melee weapon combat, as evidenced by the short teaser trailer and the longer trailer shown at the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase. The game is set in the land of Eora, the same environment used by Obsidian for the Pillars of Eternity series, but explores a completely different part of it.

Obsidian’s 2019 job listings hinting at first and third-person animations in combat actions, branching dialogues, and day/night cycles suggest the game will be similar to Obsidian’s previous RPGs, such as The Outer Worlds and Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords.

Announced Release Date and Platforms, Trailers

Avowed, a first-person RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment, is expected to be released in 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC platforms, and will also be available on Xbox Game Pass on its release day. The official gameplay trailer showcased at the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase event takes players into the game’s magical world, the Living Lands, showcasing the magic-based combat system and weapon use. At the heart of the story is a plague that seemingly corrupts the souls of characters.

The first Avowed trailer, presented at the E3 2021 Xbox event, reveals a diverse medieval landscape, starting with a war-torn castle, part of a kingdom ruled by kings and queens, “that has always known war”. According to the narration, this kingdom now lies in ruins, attacked by an invisible enemy.

The game’s horrific monsters, such as skeleton warriors, evidently stem from the sins of this kingdom, and the player character encounters them throughout the game. The question posed at the end of the trailer – “Is an oath worth the weight of a crown?” – suggests that the player’s fate may be linked to the royal family, possibly facing their destiny and questioning it in the reconstruction of the fallen kingdom.

The Storyline and Main Setting of Avowed

Avowed takes place in a part of the world of Eora, the Living Lands, in the same universe as “Pillars of Eternity”. According to the latest trailer presented at the Xbox Games Showcase, the game’s protagonist is a powerful mage sent by the emperor to the Living Lands to investigate a devastating plague threatening the people. Initially, the locals are fearful and distrustful of the mage, so the player must win them over.

Our character in the game possesses extraordinary magical combat abilities in the Living Lands, making them unique in this world. In addition to magic, there is also the opportunity to use traditional melee weapons, combining them effectively to confront enemies. The question posed at the end of the trailer, “So now that you have this power, what will you do with it?” and the phrase “forge your destiny” imply that Avowed’s gameplay offers choice-based, branching paths.

Gameplay and Possible Companions in Avowed

Avowed is a first-person action game built on a combination of magic and weapons. The latest gameplay trailer reveals that the game’s spells are not only useful in combat but also have various influencing abilities.

In one scene, Avowed’s playable character uses magic to freeze an enemy and then pull them in for a fatal strike. This gameplay mechanic is reminiscent of magical attacks in games like “Dishonored” or “Immortals of Aveum”, which also offer extensive magical abilities in combat.

The 2023 Avowed gameplay trailer introduces the first companion, Kai, a coastal Aumaua from the current Living Lands and one of the few friendly characters we can meet. As a former soldier, his idealistic and pragmatic nature helps the player navigate the wild frontier. More companions are expected in the game, with further information to be provided by the developers soon.

Other Rumors

Leaks and rumors about Avowed suggest that the game will be entirely open-world, reportedly larger in scope than Skyrim. According to Sponger’s information, the game will feature a real-time weather system and mod support, but these details still need official confirmation.

In Avowed, players will have companions, battle “very large” bosses, and interact with gods while confronting the threat of an “impending tyranny”. The dialogues will be dynamic, and the leaker suggests that the game will allow players to “kill everyone in the game”. Avowed thus promises to be a major hit for Xbox in 2024, and we are eagerly anticipating it.

– Gergely Herpai (BadSector) –