Obsidian Entertainment, the studio known for Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, is full of confidence regarding their upcoming fantasy RPG, Avowed. Feargus Urquhart, the CEO of Obsidian, recently expressed his strong belief in the game’s potential success, generating excitement among fans who are eagerly awaiting this new entry in the world of Eora, the same universe as their popular Pillars of Eternity series.
Avowed launches February 18, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows, Battle.net, Steam, and cloud, or play it on day one with Xbox Game Pass. As the release date of Avowed approaches, enthusiasm among players continues to grow, with key developers showcasing unprecedented confidence in the game’s potential. With such confidence, Avowed is poised to captivate RPG fans through its rich lore and immersive gameplay.
Obsidian Entertainment Exudes Confidence in Upcoming RPG Avowed
As it draws nearer to its February release date, Obsidian Entertainment’s commitment to delivering a carefully crafted experience, grounded in a deep understanding of what makes RPGs thrive, is clear. For those excited to embark on this journey through Eora, Avowed promises to be an adventure worth the wait.
A Bold Claim
In an interview, Urquhart stated that Avowed is “going to be a hit.” This confident statement stems from several factors, including the game’s high-quality development, its immersive world, and the studio’s experience in crafting compelling RPGs. He emphasized the team’s dedication to creating a truly special experience for players.
Building on Past Successes
Obsidian has a proven track record with RPGs. Their experience with both licensed titles like Fallout: New Vegas and original IPs like The Outer Worlds demonstrates their ability to create engaging narratives, memorable characters, and deep gameplay systems. This expertise is being channeled into Avowed, promising a rich and rewarding experience for RPG fans.
Exploring the World of Eora
Avowed is set in the world of Eora, a richly detailed fantasy setting previously explored in the Pillars of Eternity games. This allows Obsidian to build upon existing lore and world-building, while also introducing new areas and stories. Players can expect a familiar yet fresh experience within this established universe.
Gameplay Expectations
While specific details are still under wraps, Avowed is expected to be a first-person RPG with a focus on real-time combat and player choice. The game will likely feature a deep character creation system, branching narratives, and a variety of ways to approach challenges. Obsidian’s reputation for player agency suggests that choices will have meaningful consequences in the game world.
The Pillars of Eternity Connection
Avowed’s connection to the Pillars of Eternity series has generated significant interest. Both games share the world of Eora, but Avowed is expected to offer a different perspective on this universe.
Expanding the Eora Universe
While Pillars of Eternity focused on the nation of Dyrwood, Avowed will take players to the Living Lands, a frontier region known for its diverse environments and wild magic. This new setting allows Obsidian to introduce new factions, creatures, and challenges, expanding the scope of the Eora universe.
Gameplay Differences
Although both games are RPGs set in Eora, Avowed is expected to differ from Pillars of Eternity in terms of gameplay. Avowed’s first-person perspective and emphasis on real-time combat will likely provide a more action-oriented experience compared to the isometric, party-based combat of Pillars of Eternity.
With its strong pedigree, immersive world, and promising gameplay, Avowed is shaping up to be a major contender in the RPG landscape. Obsidian’s confidence in the game is certainly well-founded, and fans have every reason to be excited for its release.
Short Summary:
- Obsidian emphasizes the value of missable content in creating personal gameplay experiences.
- Lead environmental artist Dennis Presnell asserts that he has never felt more confident about a game as the launch date approaches.
- Avowed aims to combine elements from the studio’s previous successful titles while differentiating itself through a focus on first-person combat.
With the upcoming launch of Avowed on February 18, 2025, Obsidian Entertainment is ramping up enthusiasm for its latest foray into the realm of role-playing games (RPGs). As the developers share insights into the game’s design philosophy, the anticipation amongst fans and critics alike intensifies, particularly with influential figures within the studio expressing their excitement and confidence about the final product.
In a recent discussion with GamesRadar, Berto Ritger, Obsidian’s Region Director and Senior Area Designer, underscored the significance of missable content in enhancing the RPG experience. He stated:
“I think the core of RPGs that makes them special is missable content… It makes the experience feel so much more personal to how you play the game. You find something different than your friend, and it creates a very interesting dialogue about the game.”
This approach suggests a commitment to crafting a world filled with meaningful choices and tailored discoveries, ensuring players feel a unique connection to their adventures. In his hands-on preview, Ritger noted that while it may take time to uncover more esoteric elements, even the initial areas like Dawnshore offer plenty to explore and enjoy.
Developers are not just focused on the allure of missable quests. They aim to guide players towards engaging interactions through prominent landmarks like a tall lighthouse, beckoning exploration and adventure. As Ritger put it:
“We want to draw your attention to things that we want you to engage with… So we try to draw your attention that way.”
Diving Deeper into Development
As the release day nears, excitement is palpable among the developers, especially according to Dennis Presnell, Obsidian’s lead environmental artist. With over two decades of industry experience, including pivotal roles in creating Fallout and Baldur’s Gate, Presnell claims this is the most assured he has ever felt during a game’s final stages of development:
“I’ve always felt a certain level of dread months before a game shipped… But this is the most confident I’ve ever been in my experience at this stage of the project.”
Presnell reflects positively on the development process, stating that the team is refining the final aspects of the game, excited for fans to experience what they have crafted:
“I’m just overjoyed at how well everything’s come together… I can’t wait, actually.”
Building upon a Legacy
The ambition for Avowed is clear; the developers intend for it to be a shining example of Obsidian’s ability to innovate while drawing from their rich history of RPG excellence. They aim to blend the best elements from previous hits, such as The Outer Worlds while ensuring they bring something fresh. Matt Hansen, the game’s art director, expressed this aim succinctly:
“With each game we make, we can reference that thing and say, like, ‘Actually, how did Grounded handle that? Or how did they do it on The Outer Worlds?’ and we go, ‘Cool. We explored that there.’”
As they draw inspiration from earlier projects, the team is committed to retaining their core philosophy—empowering players to chart their own course through the game.
Gameplay Mechanics and Exploration
Focusing on immersive gameplay, Avowed enhances its RPG offerings with a first-person combat system and parkour mechanics, allowing players to traverse the world in unprecedented ways:
“For this game, we have our parkour system so you can move through the world in ways that we’ve never been able to in previous titles.”
Presnell highlights the thrill of exploration and challenge within the gameplay, hinting at hidden gems across the islands:
“You will see something enticing, and you wonder, ‘I bet I could make that jump,’ and you can parkour up to the top of the building… It’s so satisfying.”
Indeed, Avowed appears poised to offer players a robust RPG experience—rife with exploration opportunities and player-driven narratives, which should resonate well with loyal fans of the fantasy genre.
Returning Players and Newcomers Alike
Returning players from Obsidian’s prior cRPGs can expect a seamless transition into Avowed as it invites them into the familiar yet novel setting of Eora. Fans of the Pillars of Eternity series will witness the depth of this world through a new lens, while newcomers will surely find themselves captivated by its richness and intricate lore.
The anticipation surrounding Avowed isn’t limited to players; it resonates throughout the gaming community, especially in light of recent blockbuster RPGs that fell short of expectations. A recent hands-on preview suggests that Avowed distinguishes itself by delivering a tightly executed and engaging narrative crafted with care.
The game features familiar RPG tropes like being thrust into a chaotic world with personal quests, but it quickly transcends these setups by introducing complex themes and rich storytelling. Players will dive into a narrative filled with nuanced political landscapes and challenging choices without sacrificing compelling character interactions.
A World of Choices and Consequences
Exploration will lead players through various quests that delive into character backstories and motivations. Even within a preview of the game, players can find themselves entangled in morally challenging situations, addressing their decisions with genuine agency:
“I free a smuggler from her cell despite my companion’s misgivings—in exploring the building, I discovered evidence that she’s no villain.”
As players navigate through these rich experiences, they are guaranteed to encounter a variety of interactions that reflect the consequence of their choices, creating a sense of investment in the world around them.
The Balancing Act of Expectations
While the excitement is palpable, it’s essential to approach Avowed with measured expectations. Developers have addressed this concern by focusing on delivering a satisfying experience without promising ground-breaking innovations. As seasoned RPG enthusiasts, the team is acutely aware of the weight their history carries, especially given the high standards set by contemporaries such as Baldur’s Gate 3.
“I don’t think there’s a lot of grand ambition to Avowed, but what there is is a clear, simple love for RPG writing and design.”
This conscious approach could very well allow Avowed to carve out its niche within the genre, fulfilling desires for an engaging RPG adventure that resonates warmly with fans longing for classic role-playing experiences.
