Anticipation is mounting for Avowed, set to release on February 18, as it garners attention for its narrative and design choices. Unlike an open world, players will explore extensive zones, allowing for a cohesive storytelling experience. Obsidian Entertainment, known for its strong narrative focus, aims to deliver a compelling game, following successes like Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds. With the impending launch, discussions are intensifying, particularly around its collector’s edition and comparisons to Skyrim.
Anticipation Builds for Avowed’s Release
With a release date set for February 18, Avowed from Obsidian Entertainment is generating significant buzz, largely due to the surrounding controversies that make it one of the most anticipated games of the upcoming month.
Often viewed as an unofficial sequel to the Pillars of Eternity series, Avowed has drawn comparisons to Skyrim for its vibrant world-building, gameplay mechanics, and expansive areas to explore. However, the developers have clarified that the game will not feature an open world. Instead, it will adopt a structure similar to that of The Outer Worlds, another well-received title from the studio.
Understanding the Structure of Avowed
Kate Dollarhyde, the narrative director for Avowed, recently shared insights with Xbox Wire regarding the game’s design choices. She explained that instead of a vast open world, players will navigate through a series of extensive zones, with at least five different areas showcased in the alpha version of the game.
Having previously developed critically acclaimed titles like Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, Obsidian Entertainment is continuing with a format that aligns with their expertise. Dollarhyde emphasized that the decision to avoid an open world was primarily driven by the need for effective pacing within the game. This approach allows for a ‘semi-open world’ experience, where players can thoroughly explore large regions and revisit them later to tackle side quests.
The narrative team’s desire to maintain control over the storytelling process is understandable, especially given the complexity that an open world could introduce. By structuring the game in this manner, the developers aim to deliver a more cohesive narrative experience.
More Exciting Developments from Obsidian Entertainment
Narrative has consistently been a cornerstone of Obsidian Entertainment’s success. The studio boasts a portfolio filled with critically acclaimed games and has proven its storytelling prowess, as demonstrated by the recent success of their project, Pentiment, which was celebrated as one of the top narratives of 2023.
Despite facing some criticisms ahead of its launch, particularly regarding comments made by the artistic director, the strength of Avowed’s story and narration could be its saving grace. For those not particularly excited about Avowed, it’s worth noting that another project from Obsidian, The Outer Worlds 2, is also on the horizon, following its reveal at the last Game Awards. Given the success of the first game, this sequel is anticipated to satisfy fans who have been eagerly waiting for over five years.
While some may underestimate Xbox’s strategy, Microsoft is poised for a strong showing in 2025. As the release of Avowed approaches, it stands out as one of the most awaited titles, drawing comparisons to Skyrim. With several months remaining until its debut, the game continues to generate discussions, especially regarding its collector’s edition.
Having had the chance to experience the alpha version of Avowed and explore its early content, the question remains: does this high-budget CRPG from Obsidian Entertainment live up to its hype, standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Skyrim and Baldur’s Gate 3?