As anticipated from an Obsidian Entertainment RPG, Avowed is shaping up to be a captivating addition to the studio’s renowned repertoire. Set in the world of The Pillars of Eternity series, Avowed will give players an opportunity to dive deep into a world previously explored from a different viewpoint, experience the aftermath of events from earlier games, and delve into the themes and narratives that have defined its predecessors. Given Obsidian Entertainment’s stellar reputation for crafting engaging, story-driven RPGs, it’s no surprise that Avowed has been eagerly awaited since it was first unveiled nearly five years ago.
In the lead-up to its launch, Game Rant had the chance to chat with some of Avowed’s key developers about their vision for the game, including aspects like gameplay, storytelling, and character development. Gamers will find a host of companions to engage with and vast landscapes to navigate, all set on the intriguing island setting known as the Living Lands. As Senior Narrative Designer Kate Dollarhyde explains to Game Rant, this almost wild terrain is a core component, embodying the game’s central theme.
Deeply connected to its forebear, Avowed allows players to once more craft a godlike character, but the ties to the Pillars of Eternity series go beyond typical RPG mechanics. Events from the previous games have left a profound influence on the world of Eora and the journey players embark upon. As part of this storyline, gamers play the role of the Envoy, tasked with helping the Aedyran Empire establish a hold on the Living Lands. True to its name, this landscape is ever-evolving, resisting all who have sought to conquer it. According to Dollarhyde, change is the central theme of Avowed, highlighting a world “in flux.” She explains further:
“Change is at the core of Avowed… The events of Pillars of Eternity: Deadfire aren’t universally known yet, but their effects are beginning to surface… The great empires of Eora are waning. Their colonies are in revolt, seeking freedom, and becoming formidable entities on their own. Meanwhile, domestically, civil strife threatens to burst into full-blown warfare. New advances, like animancy—the science of souls—are pushing boundaries of innovation and potential malevolence. The gods, planning through the ages, are maneuvering to maintain their significance and possibly even their survival.”
Dollarhyde also shared that the Dreamscourge of the Living Lands was born from a wish to dive into metaphysical concepts within Avowed, akin to how the Pillars of Eternity games wove three interrelated narrative threads that met at various junctures as the plot progressed.
Avowed tackles a soul plague along with political schemes, adding layers of intrigue that are unveiled through player decisions and the personal journeys of their companions. As players traverse the Living Lands and form bonds with the characters they encounter, they might ponder the very questions that Avowed seeks to raise, as Dollarhyde describes:
“In spite of these struggles, there’s an inherent curiosity in the Living Lands, a deep yearning for connection. Are we stronger as a collective? Could we evolve into something new? How the inhabitants of the Living Lands—and the Envoy—navigate change and the choices they make to endure it, showcase their fundamental beliefs. They reveal their essence. Change presents challenges, and no one, not even the Envoy, emerges unscathed.”
Given Obsidian’s history of creating choice-driven RPGs, the decisions players make in Avowed are expected to impact the game world significantly. Players should be ready to evolve alongside their Envoy, contemplating the weight of each choice. Emphasizing this focus on player agency, Obsidian allows for extensive personalization in Avowed, offering complex skill trees and a wide array of distinct weaponry. From what Obsidian Entertainment has divulged in discussions with Game Rant, it’s evident that Avowed embraces change, allowing players to shape their Envoy’s abilities to meet the game’s various narrative and mechanical challenges.
Although Avowed may not match the vast scale of the latest RPGs—it is akin to The Outer Worlds in terms of duration—it promises ample opportunities for players to become deeply engrossed in its world and feel the significance of their actions. As a follow-up to a pair of cherished RPGs known for their intricate world-building, gamers can eagerly anticipate provocative choices and a richly immersive world when Avowed hits the shelves on February 18, or February 13 for those with early access.
