Avowed: Release Date, Plot, and Gameplay

Contents:

• The plot and world of Avowed
• Gameplay of Avowed
• Characters of Avowed
• Dimensions Avowed
• Release date Avowed

After Microsoft's acquisition of Obsidian, the studio significantly improved its market position. The developers were freed from concerns about funding and were able to realize their long-standing ideas. In recent years, Obsidian experimented with a new survival genre, releasing Grounded, and also presented the historical RPG Pentiment, a long-cherished dream of renowned game designer Josh Sawyer. Obsidian is currently actively preparing for the release of Avowed, an ambitious RPG inspired by The Elder Scrolls series and set in the Pillars of Eternity universe. Projects like these highlight the studio's growth and creative potential, making it one of the most anticipated companies in the video game industry.

In this article, the editorial team of "Gamedev" Skillbox Media has collected all the latest information about the upcoming role-playing project. We'll discuss its features, gameplay mechanics, and expected innovations to provide a complete picture of what to expect from the game. Read on to learn more about the characteristics and potential impact of this project on the industry.

Awowed Story and World

The new RPG will be set in the world of Eora, familiar to fans of the Pillars of Eternity series. This fantasy universe stands out among others thanks to its unique story, deeply developed characters, and a complex system of interaction between different races and cultures. Eora invites players to immerse themselves in a rich world filled with magic, myths, and gripping storylines. Every element of this universe is thought out to the smallest detail, which helps create an engaging and interactive experience for players.

This era is not the classic Middle Ages, filled with dragons and sorceresses. The events of the games in the series are reminiscent of the early modern era. Captains explore new lands, colonists actively develop them, and merchants use cunning to deceive the local population. Mercenaries, in turn, are ready to become pirates or sell their services to those who offer the best pay.

In the world of Eora, a unique metaphysical phenomenon known as the Wheel governs the process of reincarnation. When the soul leaves the physical body, it travels to the Interstice—an intermediate state between worlds. Here, thanks to adra crystals, a precious resource available in both the living and spirit worlds, the soul passes into the world of the gods. In this divine realm, a kind of lottery takes place, in which celestials sometimes intervene. As a result of this process, souls receive new bodies and are reincarnated on the continents of Eora, continuing their journey in the endless cycle of life.

Many souls seek to avoid chance and, during their earthly lives, dedicate themselves to various gods, hoping for their protection and support during the reincarnation process. In this context, the unique race of godlike beings deserves special attention, who are distinguished by the physical traits of the deities whose blessings they have received. However, some of the godlike perceive these markings as a curse, adding depth and contradiction to their existence.

The protagonist of Avowed is a member of a unique race whose personal deity remains a mystery even to him. As the game progresses, the player will uncover the secret of who bestowed the protagonist's special abilities. By exploring the world of Avowed, players will be immersed in a gripping story full of surprises and revelations.

Players will face challenges of self-identification and undertake an important mission from the ruler of the Aedyran Empire, the largest state on Eora. The Emperor sends the hero to the island of the Living Lands to investigate the origins of a plague afflicting the souls of the colonists. Furthermore, the player must restore the empire's exclusive right to the island's fertile lands, which are falling under the control of other factions. As in other Obsidian games, the player can choose a side in the conflict. The question of how to deal with the plague also remains open: perhaps it should be supported or protected from external threats. Answers to these riddles await players in the exciting gameplay.

The Island of the Living Lands is a unique and mysterious place in the world of Eora. Situated in the remote north, it is famous not only for its fertile valleys but also for its rich diversity of flora and fauna. Jungles, deserts, volcanoes, swamps, and snowy peaks can be found here, giving the island's geography a surprisingly diverse landscape. Vibrant mushrooms grow all around, which, despite their beauty, can spread plague. These elements remind old-timers of Vvardenfell from TES 3: Morrowind and the acidic album covers of the 1970s. The island of the Living Lands is a veritable treasure trove of nature, attracting the attention of explorers and adventurers.

Awowed Gameplay

In Avowed, players can choose between first- and third-person perspectives. For now, the developers have presented gameplay exclusively from a first-person perspective, which will be the game's primary focus. Avowed's developers are focusing on creating a reactive and flexible combat system. They say players won't need to choose a class, as they'll be able to combine various abilities and weapons. You can dual-wield cowboy-style revolvers or combine a magic wand with an axe—the choice is yours. However, the classic warrior-rogue-wizard trio will also remain. Players will be able to interact with the environment using the elements: for example, freezing a puddle along with an enemy or channeling lightning into it. In addition, the developers offer the ability to kick opponents into abysses, which adds an element of strategy to the battle.

The game features a classic character progression system typical of role-playing games, based on gaining experience and leveling up. However, instead of traditionally increasing stats with each level-up, the player will be able to choose new abilities to unlock. This approach makes the game similar to Arkane titles, offering a unique character development experience.

The protagonist will explore the island on foot, and will also be able to swim and dive. This will open up the possibility of not only shortcuts but also the discovery of hidden secrets traditionally buried in underwater caves. Avowed features a parkour system that allows you to climb certain walls, adding verticality to the level architecture.

Avowed does not have an open world. The game offers several expansive locations for players to explore as they progress through the story. Players can also return to previously visited locations, adding an element of exploration and interaction with the gameplay environment. Exploring the island alone isn't mandatory—the player can bring companions with them. Four companions are available, two of whom can accompany the protagonist at a time, while the others will wait at the hub camp. The developers emphasize that companions significantly influence the game's story and interactions with NPCs. Direct control of companions and inventory micromanagement are not available, but the player will be able to issue basic commands such as "Attack!" and "Retreat," as well as direct them to specific points in the level or request them to use special abilities. This adds strategy to the gameplay and allows for more varied interaction with the game world.

In Avowed, companions play a vital role, and their presence cannot be avoided. They will join the protagonist at different times depending on the quest sequence, which will influence the story's development. Although the developers have abandoned the companion approval system, each companion will have their own unique story arc, adding depth to their characters. However, romantic relationships will not be included in the game.

Obsidian is developing Avowed with a "build deep, not wide" approach. Despite the limited size of the game world and its relatively short duration, the game will offer a wide variety of quests and dialogue options, as well as choice, which is a key element of gameplay. In a recent interview at Gamescom 2024, project lead Carrie Patel noted that the number of possible ending slides will be in the dozens. This is what we value Obsidian Entertainment's games for—their ability to create deep, layered stories that leave players with a wealth of choice and exploration.

Awowed Characters

The game will feature four companions, and the first of them is the aumaua Kai. This character is excellent in close combat and is able to attract the attention of enemies. Kai stands out for his friendly nature and ease of communication, which makes him an ideal companion for players. The developers promise that it will be interesting to spend time with him, and he will be an excellent companion during the game's adventures. Kai will be voiced by Brandon Keener, known for his voice of Garrus from the Mass Effect series.

Giatta is a female animancer who has dedicated her life to studying the science of souls and magic. After the tragic death of her parents in a lab experiment gone wrong, she decided to complete their research to perpetuate their memory and vindicate their sacrifice. Despite her difficult family history, Giatta is cheerful and strives for independence, ignoring authority. Her path is filled not only with a desire for knowledge but also with a desire to change the world around her through magic and science.

Yatzi is an eagle sorceress who lives in The Animancer settlement of Fiore. She actively studies the culture of the "Godless," a vanished civilization of the Living Lands that did not worship gods and left behind many interesting artifacts. Yatzi is cunning and energetic, and is not averse to flirting with the protagonist, although she immediately clarifies that she already has a lover who accompanies her on expeditions, carrying a ladder to explore the ruins. This multifaceted character brings elements of romance and adventure to the story, and her pursuit of knowledge makes her a key character in the world of animancers.

Marius is a reserved and cautious dwarf ranger accustomed to the challenges of the wild, but he has difficulty adapting to the measured pace of civilization. This is not surprising, as he spent most of his life in the harsh region of Galawain's Tusks. Here, an active volcano spews ash for miles around, turning the surrounding lands into a challenging place for survival. The main inhabitants of these lands are thick-skinned monsters and experienced rangers. The protagonist will have to explore these dangerous lands, where every step can be decisive.

In Avowed, the key character is Inquisitor Ledwyn, familiar to players from Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire. Ledwyn leads the Order of the Steel Garrote, which administers justice to oathbreakers. The developers, represented by Carrie Patel, decided to integrate this faction into Avowed, since its strict and regimented nature creates a striking contrast to the rebellious spirit of the Living Lands. This aspect of the plot adds depth and tension, highlighting the contradictions between order and chaos in the game world.

The Size of Avowed

The developers claim that Avowed will be comparable in scale to The Outer Worlds, one of their previous RPGs. According to information from the website HowLongToBeat, it takes an average of 13.5 hours to complete the main storyline of this sci-fi game. If you include side quests, the completion time almost doubles to around 26.5 hours. The time required to complete Avowed is expected to be similar.

Awowed Release Date

Awowed is scheduled for release on February 18, 2025. The game will be available for PC and Xbox Series X/S console users, and will also be part of the Game Pass subscription. Avowed is expected to offer an immersive gaming experience and become one of the key new releases on these platforms.