Avowed - Inside Obsidian's brand-new RPG

GamesAvowedAvowed - Inside Obsidian’s brand-new RPGWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesAvowedAvowed - Inside Obsidian’s brand-new RPGWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Microsoft) Welcome to The Big Preview: the home for in-depth conversations around the biggestupcoming games. We’ve spent some time with Xbox Studio Obsidian to take a deeper look at its next RPG,Avowed. We got a delicious new look at Avowed from Obsidian Games at the recent Xbox Developer Direct. Following that, we got the chance to sit down with game director Carrie Patel and gameplay director Gabe Paramo to talk about player choice and consequences, combat, its Pillars of Eternity links, classes, and more. Fast Facts: Avowed(Image credit: Obsidian)Release date: TBC 2024Platform(s): Xbox Series X, PCDeveloper: Obsidian EntertainmentPublisher: Xbox Game Studios Fast Facts: Avowed (Image credit: Obsidian)Release date: TBC 2024Platform(s): Xbox Series X, PCDeveloper: Obsidian EntertainmentPublisher: Xbox Game Studios (Image credit: Obsidian) Release date: TBC 2024Platform(s): Xbox Series X, PCDeveloper: Obsidian EntertainmentPublisher: Xbox Game Studios Below, you’ll find our full coverage from the interview with theObsidian Entertainmentteam, including breakdowns on specific elements of the game like combat and player choice - two key themes that have us pumped for this RPG. Although there’s still no concrete release date, it’s already looking to be one to watch from theXbox Game Studios' group. Read on to learn more about Avowed straight from the developers' mouth, and more musings on this highly-anticipated 2024 RPG. The RPG to pay attention to in 2024 (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) Avowed’s commitment to ubiquitous player choice could make it 2024’s standout RPG: “At Obsidian, it’s your world, your way, right?” We sat down with game director Carrie Patel and gameplay director Gabe Paramo to talk about how combat, questing, and more aims put you at the heart of everything. Avowed is set in Pillars of Eternity’s world, but Obsidian says you don’t need to have played its older CRPGIt draws elements like spells and lore, but it won’t be impenetrable. Avowed is set in Pillars of Eternity’s world, but Obsidian says you don’t need to have played its older CRPGIt draws elements like spells and lore, but it won’t be impenetrable. Avowed is set in Pillars of Eternity’s world, but Obsidian says you don’t need to have played its older CRPGIt draws elements like spells and lore, but it won’t be impenetrable. Avowed is set in Pillars of Eternity’s world, but Obsidian says you don’t need to have played its older CRPGIt draws elements like spells and lore, but it won’t be impenetrable. Avowed is set in Pillars of Eternity’s world, but Obsidian says you don’t need to have played its older CRPGIt draws elements like spells and lore, but it won’t be impenetrable. Avowed is set in Pillars of Eternity’s world, but Obsidian says you don’t need to have played its older CRPG It draws elements like spells and lore, but it won’t be impenetrable. A focus on player choice and consequence (Image credit: Obsidian) Avowed’s focus on choice and consequence means “most players won’t discover 100% of what you’ve built for them”, but Obsidian wouldn’t have it any other way Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Obsidian Entertainment has focused on putting as much choice as it can in this RPG, meaning you definitely won’t see everything in it. Obsidian wants Avowed to be a “challenging” RPG that’s more complex than “black-and-white, good-versus-evil morality"You’ll dabble in the shades of grey throughout Avowed Obsidian wants Avowed to be a “challenging” RPG that’s more complex than “black-and-white, good-versus-evil morality"You’ll dabble in the shades of grey throughout Avowed Obsidian wants Avowed to be a “challenging” RPG that’s more complex than “black-and-white, good-versus-evil morality"You’ll dabble in the shades of grey throughout Avowed Obsidian wants Avowed to be a “challenging” RPG that’s more complex than “black-and-white, good-versus-evil morality"You’ll dabble in the shades of grey throughout Avowed Obsidian wants Avowed to be a “challenging” RPG that’s more complex than “black-and-white, good-versus-evil morality"You’ll dabble in the shades of grey throughout Avowed Obsidian wants Avowed to be a “challenging” RPG that’s more complex than “black-and-white, good-versus-evil morality” You’ll dabble in the shades of grey throughout Avowed Combat that builds upon Skyrim’s foundations (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) Avowed takes Skyrim’s approach to combat and evolves it, allowing players to “build the character they want to play who fights the way they want to fight” Skyrim’s a strong foundation, so Avowed’s combat could be one to look out for. Avowed lead reveals there’s “no one perfect build” in Obsidian’s classless RPG: “There’s gonna be choice and consequence for what you kit out”Mix and match your arsenal to fit your playstyle Avowed lead reveals there’s “no one perfect build” in Obsidian’s classless RPG: “There’s gonna be choice and consequence for what you kit out”Mix and match your arsenal to fit your playstyle Avowed lead reveals there’s “no one perfect build” in Obsidian’s classless RPG: “There’s gonna be choice and consequence for what you kit out”Mix and match your arsenal to fit your playstyle Avowed lead reveals there’s “no one perfect build” in Obsidian’s classless RPG: “There’s gonna be choice and consequence for what you kit out”Mix and match your arsenal to fit your playstyle Avowed lead reveals there’s “no one perfect build” in Obsidian’s classless RPG: “There’s gonna be choice and consequence for what you kit out”Mix and match your arsenal to fit your playstyle Avowed lead reveals there’s “no one perfect build” in Obsidian’s classless RPG: “There’s gonna be choice and consequence for what you kit out”Mix and match your arsenal to fit your playstyle See more Games Features CATEGORIESPC GamingXbox Series XPlatformsXbox CATEGORIES More about games"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"LatestThis GameSir G8+ Bluetooth controller has made my Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons collect dust and I couldn’t be happierSee more latest► More about games"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"LatestThis GameSir G8+ Bluetooth controller has made my Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons collect dust and I couldn’t be happierSee more latest► More about games"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” More about games “Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” “Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet “Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” LatestThis GameSir G8+ Bluetooth controller has made my Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons collect dust and I couldn’t be happierSee more latest► Latest This GameSir G8+ Bluetooth controller has made my Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons collect dust and I couldn’t be happier This GameSir G8+ Bluetooth controller has made my Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons collect dust and I couldn’t be happier This GameSir G8+ Bluetooth controller has made my Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons collect dust and I couldn’t be happier See more latest► Most Popular"We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs”: 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogsI’m fed up of pretending The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie’s Revenge isn’t a Christmas game, and a hauntingly good one at thatSilent Hill 2 Remake’s reinvention of its most underrated character means so much more in 2024"This is incredibly rare”: How Mouthwashing quietly became 2024’s breakout horror hitI’m no Grinch, but will someone please direct me to the good Christmas games?This canceled Netflix fantasy series was one of the best shows of 2024 – and deserves a second chancePatton Oswalt and Jordan Blum explain why comics are still the perfect medium for superhero stories - 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This canceled Netflix fantasy series was one of the best shows of 2024 – and deserves a second chance Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum explain why comics are still the perfect medium for superhero stories - “Visuals that will never be achieved in TV or movies can be achieved in comics” Team Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s past Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was the favorite shooter of the year, and it also made me fall even harder for my fiancé 17 years on, Sam Barlow reflects on Silent Hill: Origins: “To pull it out of the bag with a seven-out-of-ten game was incredibly rewarding” Here’s our Black Ops 6 multiplayer playlist to keep you and your pals connected over Christmas GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”