Avowed is a fantasy RPG with open-zone maps, unique local conflicts, and companions to meet – but it's still "the player's story first and foremost"

GamesRPGAvowedAvowed is a fantasy RPG with open-zone maps, unique local conflicts, and companions to meet – but it’s still “the player’s story first and foremost"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesRPGAvowedAvowed is a fantasy RPG with open-zone maps, unique local conflicts, and companions to meet – but it’s still “the player’s story first and foremost"When 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: Xbox Game Studios) Obsidian Entertainmentis known for its beautiful video game environments and stories, butAvowedis poised to up the ante even more. We already know that the upcoming fantasy RPG is set in Eora, an embattled kingdom in its Pillars of Eternity universe. Despite this,you don’t need to have played that gameto understand Avowed’s story, and in keeping with large segmented world maps as seen inThe Outer Worlds, Obsidian is determined to maintain the player’s ability to navigate the story however they choose. That means although the game isn’t a fully open roaming experience, we can expect opportunities for nuanced environmental storytelling and companion-specific decisions as we explore Eora. “Open zones allow us to create a strong sense of place in each of our environments,” game director Carrie Patel tells us. “All of our regions have distinct aesthetics and atmospheres as well as unique local conflicts and narratives that build towards the larger, grander story that the player is at the center of. Building Avowed through separate regions allows us to balance that sense of distinctness with a feeling that the player is journeying through portions of a much larger world,” says Patel, speaking toAvowed’s championing of choice and consequence-driven gameplay– and its flexibility doesn’t stop at its"classless” combat system. Gather the troops (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) Big in 2024(Image credit: Future)GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. Big in 2024 (Image credit: Future)GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. (Image credit: Future) GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. Avowed’s highly-reactive world contains myriad stories and subplots to explore, largely involving your companions. Patel describes these companions as “fellow travelers'' you meet on your journey, and “each have their own ties to the Living Lands, investment in its central conflicts, and personal demons, all of which shape their perspectives.” While a romantic opportunity with any of these companions is seemingly off the cards, their stories have the potential to affect the player’s own. In Avowed, we can “influence how the companions tackle their respective personal struggles, and the companions in turn will try to nudge the player around the decisions and outcomes that they think are best…rightly or wrongly,” says Patel. “Ultimately, though, companions are the player’s allies – and if you get to know them – friends, which means they’ll help the player out of sticky situations when they can, and they’ll share the expertise they have.” This sounds like Avowed’s companions are somewhat optional rather than hard-written into any given playthrough. Their importance in the broader narrative seems essentially down to how players deal with respective quest lines, district conflicts, and other subplots. Potentially “missable” content like this has been a huge draw for me in other RPGs, with the sheer breadth of choice on offer in the likes ofBaldur’s Gate 3being but one reason many players (including myself) are finding suchimmense replay valuein it. I’m keen to explore just how much Avowed’s story can shift and branch out after making certain decisions. Obsidian has already commented on howplayers will never see 100% of everything in a single playthroughdue to how much of it hinges on choice, so right now, it’s sounding more than promising. (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) In terms of who these companions are and what they’re capable of, Avowed is leaning toward a party-makeup system that can be shaped however you wish. “Each companion has a role in the party if the player wants them to,” says gameplay director Gabe Paramo. He goes on to give two examples. “Kai is a tank and can taunt enemies, causing him to take aggro, or Giatta can heal the party when you want her to.” Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Ultimately, though, companions are the player’s allies – and if you get to know them – friends.Carrie Patel Ultimately, though, companions are the player’s allies – and if you get to know them – friends. Still, companion choices are just one part of Avowed’s overarching mission to facilitate the roleplaying fantasy. “Players will have extensive freedom to experiment with companions, class capabilities, and character progression in both combat and other aspects of the game,” says Paramo, with Patel having said previously thatAvowed’s combat is more like a “fantasy Outer Worlds"despite the Skyrim comparisons. The ultimate goal of Avowed is clear to me: it’s our world to shape however we want, from whose stories we interact with to how we engage in battle. “The player is the main character of Avowed,” Patel says in conclusion. “Companions have their own outlooks, goals, and visions for the future of the Living Lands, but this is the player’s story first and foremost, and it falls to the player to decide whose advice to heed.” GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. 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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: 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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” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew 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