Avowed is an upcoming action role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. Avowed takes place in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity, in the world of Eora. The game is scheduled to be released on February 18, 2025, for Windows and Xbox Series X/S.
| Avowed | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Obsidian Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Xbox Game Studios |
| Director(s) | Carrie Patel |
| Artist(s) | Matt Hansen |
| Series | Pillars of Eternity |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5[1] |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | February 18, 2025 |
| Genre(s) | Action role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
edit
Avowed is an action role-playing game that can be played from both first-person and third-person perspectives.[2] Players can use magic, melee weapons, and firearms to defeat enemies. The game features a variety of spells, allowing players to perform feats such as freezing enemies in ice, or ensnaring them in an Entangle spell. Spells can be used in conjunction with other weapons to create combos, such as using sword to crush through a frozen enemy. Players can quickly switch between multiple setups, including dual pistols, dual wands, a two-handed axe, or a sword (or wand, gun, or shield) and shield combination.[3] The game features several skill trees, which allow players to unlock more powerful abilities as they progress in the game. Weapons can also be individually upgraded.[4] While Avowed is not a full open world game, the game features several large open zones for players to explore.[5]
As the player explores the game's world, they will interact with other non-playable characters (NPCs). Similar to Obsidian's previous game, The Outer Worlds, the game features dialogue options which reflect the tone the player wants to convey. Some NPCs will join the player's party and become their companions, each of whom has their own personalities and combat skills. Romancing companions is not a feature in Avowed.[6] Players can explore the game's world and complete quests with two companions at a time.[4]
Plot
editAvowed takes place in the Living Lands, a part of the world of Eora.[7] The Living Lands within the game include a variety of locations, ranging from lush forests to arid rocky deserts to large caves and valleys.[8] Players assume control of an envoy from the Aedyr Empire, who is assigned to the Living Lands to investigate a mysterious plague known as the “Dream Scourge.”[9]
Development
editAvowed is the first first-party AAA project by Obsidian since Microsoft bought the studio in 2018.[10][4] The game was initially pitched as Obsidian's take on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which has a massive open world. However, as development progressed, the studio chose not to imitate Skyrim's style of gameplay, and chose to work on a game that is more akin to Obsidian's previous RPGs, one that has a more confined scope but a heavier focus emphasis on story and characters. According to the game's director Carrie Patel, the companions in the story are "integral" to the game's story.[11]
Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox Game Studios announced Avowed during the Xbox Games showcase in July 2020.[12] The game is set to be released on February 18, 2025 for Windows and Xbox Series X/S,[13] and will be available at launch for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.[14]
References
edit- ^ Palumbo, Alessio (June 19, 2023). "Avowed Dev Says Game Will Be Larger Than The Outer Worlds, Lighting and Art Will Be Improved". Wccftech.
- ^ Hall, Charlie (July 23, 2020). "Obsidian reveals new RPG, Avowed, for Xbox Series X". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ Wood, Austin (January 18, 2024). "Avowed shows off polished combat in new footage that looks like an improved Skyrim, complete with guns and loadouts: "It's not just hacking and slashing"". gamesradar. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c Fenlon, Wes (June 11, 2023). "Exclusive: Obsidian breaks 3-year silence to spill the secrets of Avowed, its next big RPG". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
- ^ Sinha, Ravi (June 13, 2023). "Avowed is Comparable to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2, The Outer Worlds in Size". Gaming Bolt. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ Purchese, Robert (January 27, 2024). "Obsidian interview about first-person RPG Avowed". Eurogamer. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ Fanelli, Jason; Makuch, Eddie (January 18, 2024). "Avowed Release Window Confirmed, And Lots Of New Footage Shown Off". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ Moss, Gabriel (January 18, 2024). "Avowed is a massive Xbox exclusive RPG launching this fall". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ Harvey Randall (June 9, 2024). "Obsidian's next RPG Avowed gets a trailer hinting at a trio of factions—those who want to purge the Dream Scourge, those who want to tame it, and a secret third thing". PC Gamer. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ^ Yang, George (July 23, 2020). "Avowed Is a New AAA First-Person RPG from Obsidian Entertainment". The Escapist. Archived from the original on October 27, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ Savage, Phil (June 11, 2023). "Exclusive: Avowed started as Obsidian's Skyrim, but evolved to focus on depth over breadth, 'where Obsidian really shines'". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
- ^ Kim, Matt (July 23, 2020). "Obsidian Entertainment Reveals Avowed, New RPG Set in Pillars of Eternity Universe". IGN. Archived from the original on October 27, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ Bankhurst, Adam (August 2, 2024). "Avowed Delayed to February 2025 to 'Give Players' Backlogs Some Breathing Room'". IGN. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ Donovan, Imogen (June 11, 2023). "Avowed trailer spotlights the world of Eora, confirms 2024 release date". NME. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.