Avowed is the latest game from Obsidian Entertainment, the studio known for developing Neverwinter Nights 2, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, Fallout: New Vegas, South Park: The Stick of Truth, Grounded, and notably, the Pillars of Eternity series, which is often seen as a spiritual successor to Baldur’s Gate until the release of its third installment last year. After gaining significant traction within Obsidian, the studio decided to create a spin-off for fans of CRPGs. Four years since its announcement and following a challenging development process, the game appears set to challenge critical expectations before public reception. I had an opportunity to play it during Paris Games Week a few weeks ago when developers traveled to Porte de Versailles to showcase and demonstrate the game. We were given an hour-long demo to test three different builds: Barbarian for those who prefer close combat, Mage for players who favor ranged attacks from a distance, and Ranger for those who enjoy using firearms. In just one hour of playtesting the Barbarian and Ranger builds, here are my initial impressions—there are both positive and negative aspects to it.
An hour-long demonstration of a C-RPG like Avowed is insufficient to form a definitive opinion, but it does provide valuable insights into what to expect upon its release on February 18, 2025. One key aspect revealed is that Avowed will not feature an open world; instead, it will consist of interconnected zones available for exploration. While some may view this as a drawback, others understand the necessity of loading screens between zones. This approach allows Obsidian Entertainment to concentrate on their design goals and technical aspirations. By opting out of an open-world structure, the developers can deliver a visually compelling experience.
OLD SCHOOL, IS IT COOL?
As depicted in these 4K gameplay images provided by Obsidian (please note that we were not permitted to capture our own gameplay session), there is a notable visual richness with numerous elements contributing to the environments. However, it is evident that Avowed does not utilize cutting-edge 3D technology and appears somewhat outdated from a technical standpoint, particularly in terms of animations which feel reminiscent of those from 2005 games. Nonetheless, the game compensates for these technical limitations through an appealing artistic direction and systemic gameplay mechanics. Additionally, as observed, we are shifting away from the typical dark fantasy atmosphere characteristic of the genre to offer a more vibrant experience with customizable weapons. This move towards brighter aesthetics is intentional: it seeks to attract a wider audience, potentially including younger players, while the studio assures that there will be no compromises on gameplay quality, which promises to be both deep and engaging.
The demo highlighted this aspect through three immediately available builds, providing an overview of the gameplay. We began our gaming session by playing the barbarian character, as we enjoy combat, and it is worth noting that fans of the Pillars of Eternity series may express disappointment because developers have moved away from the tactical approach in favor of a more action-oriented style. When we mentioned the goal of attracting another segment of players, this shift is one such choice that I personally find appealing. Avowed opts for a first-person view instead of Pillars of Eternity’s 3D isometric perspective, which is one reason why Avowed is often compared to Skyrim. This comparison extends beyond just the viewpoint; it also includes factors like the simplicity of combat, but we will address these points later…
SKYRIM-LITE
Avowed, developed by Obsidian Entertainment (known for games like Pillars of Eternity and Fallout: New Vegas), is an upcoming CRPG that has experienced a turbulent development process. Announced following the success of Pillars of Eternity, it aims to attract both existing fans and a broader audience, including potentially younger players, with changes such as an action-oriented combat system and first-person perspective, differing from the tactical, isometric view of its predecessor. The game will not feature an open world but rather interconnected zones with loading screens, which developers claim provide a visually appealing experience. During a hands-on demo at Paris Games Week, three builds were tested: Barbarian (for close combat), Mage (for ranged attacks), and Ranger (for trigger-pulling). The Barbarian build demonstrated a shift towards action-focused gameplay that moves away from the tactical depth present in Pillars of Eternity, which some fans might find disappointing. Despite technical limitations, particularly in animations reminiscent of 2005 games, Avowed aims to compensate for these aspects with a distinctive art style and engaging systemic gameplay, targeting a more diverse player base without sacrificing deep mechanics. The game is scheduled for release on February 18, 2025.
Is it due to technical issues, lack of expertise, or a deliberate choice by the developers to minimize ferocity in battles? This question is worth considering. However, where Avowed excels in its combats is through systemic interactions that utilize elements to alter the approach to a fight. For example, using electricity to incapacitate multiple enemies with wet feet demonstrates what the combat system encourages. Additionally, knowing how to effectively manage these elements to avoid one-on-one confrontations is also part of a good strategy. It is up to us to understand well the use of spells available to our companion on this adventure, as a menu allows for issuing commands, which is highly recommended given how easily players can be overwhelmed by enemy waves.
THE GAME I AM THE HERO OF
The strength of Avowed will also lie in its narrative and roleplay elements, which are designed to be pushed to the extreme. According to Obsidian, players will encounter numerous moral choices with a wide array of response options that were not fully explored during our 1-hour session. The game promises significant freedom similar to Baldur’s Gate 3, maintaining the legacy established by Pillars of Eternity. It has been noted that different approaches in interacting with characters can lead to varying outcomes; players may choose to spare or even kill certain characters, and dialogues might escalate into duels, such as with Sargamis, whose demeanor changes drastically based on player actions. Despite the limited duration of our gameplay session, we were able to observe several key features of the game. The positive aspects include its systemic elements, rich dialogue options, and expansive possibilities; however, there are also areas that fall short in technical execution and combat mechanics, which feel somewhat underdeveloped. Regardless, mark your calendars for February 18, 2025, when Avowed will be available on PC and Xbox to get the final verdict.
