Obsidian Entertainment dives into “Avowed” with an in-depth gameplay preview.

During the recent XBOX Developer_Direct 2024 broadcast, Obsidian Entertainment provided fans with an in-depth look at their highly anticipated fantasy-action RPG, Avowed. The game directors, Carrie Patel and Gabe Paramo, joined The Official Xbox Podcast to discuss the showcased quest and shed light on the intricate combat system and the game’s overarching narrative.

Avowed takes place in the same universe as Obsidian’s popular CRPG series, Pillars of Eternity, within the ecologically diverse island of The Living Lands. However, what truly sets Avowed apart is Obsidian’s commitment to a player-centric approach to role play. Patel emphasized the importance of consequence and choice, allowing players to define their characters and determine their own path within the game.

One of the standout features of Avowed is the sheer variety of combat options available. Players can choose from classic sword and shield setups, samurai-inspired sword and gun combinations, or even dual-wielding wands like a wizard in the Old West. What’s more, players will often find themselves needing to adapt their loadout to effectively tackle different challenges. These loadouts are enhanced by a wide range of skills drawn from the Pillars of Eternity universe.

Paramo explained that the team wanted to provide players with as many abilities as possible, allowing them to mix and match to create unique playstyles. Avowed doesn’t enforce strict class setups, giving players the freedom to experiment and respec their characters whenever they desire.

The Developer_Direct showcased various combat scenarios that highlighted the strategic depth of Avowed’s combat system. For instance, dual-wielding wands proved effective for crowd control against smaller enemies, while combining an ice-imbued wand with a charged power attack from an off-hand sword proved devastating against larger foes. The game also features an elemental system that allows players to utilize fire, ice, and other elements both in and out of combat.

Avowed doesn’t just focus on combat; it also emphasizes the importance of companionship. Players will encounter diverse companions throughout their journey, each with their own ties to different regions of The Living Lands. These companions serve as allies, advisors, and guides, providing additional context and commentary that enriches the game world. They also play a crucial role in battle, fulfilling tanking or healing roles to support the player.

The player’s choices extend beyond combat and companionship. Avowed offers meaningful decisions that affect the story, ranging from quest outcomes to the wellbeing of characters and communities. According to Patel, these choices, both big and small, are designed to give players agency and make them feel like the main character in the game.

It’s worth noting that Avowed offers a vast world to explore within The Living Lands. The quest showcased during the Developer_Direct is just one of many discoverable elements in the game. Players can expect an open-world experience comparable in scope to Obsidian’s previous title, The Outer Worlds, with multiple paths to approach combat situations or even avoid them altogether.

Avowed is set to launch this fall on Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. Obsidian promises a wealth of secrets and hidden content for players to uncover throughout their adventure. With its immersive world, flexible combat system, and player-driven narrative, Avowed is shaping up to be a must-play title for fans of the genre. For more information, visit the official Avowed website.