Exploring Avowed's Unique RPG Tapestry: Beyond the Shadow of Skyrim

Grace Edwards 01 Feb 2024

When Obsidian Entertainment, the masterminds behind some of the most celebrated RPGs in recent history, began to lift the veil on their new project, Avowed, comparisons were inevitably drawn. The gaming community's penchant for quick categorizations led many to consider it an echo of Bethesda's iconic Skyrim. However, as the developers have highlighted, Avowed is aligning closer to the narrative depth and structural design of games like The Outer Worlds and Fallout: New Vegas.

Avowed promises to eschew the sprawling, infinite expanses of Skyrim's open world in favor of a more structured approach, reminiscent of The Outer Worlds’ segmented yet richly designed environments. Carrie Patel, the game's director, highlighted a world model taking cues from their sci-fi RPG, focusing on creating cohesive and detailed spaces that offer full-bodied experiences within a finite framework. This pivot from the vast to the vibrant could usher in a fresh take on first-person fantasy, designed to enchant gamers with its depth rather than sheer scale.

The studio's intention to infuse Avowed with some of the narrative magic that made Fallout: New Vegas a beloved classic adds a layer of anticipation for many fans. Gameplay director Gabe Paramo teased the prospect of emergent gameplay, where attentive players can leverage their skillsets and abilities to navigate challenging encounters—echoing the thrills of overcoming New Vegas' infamous obstacles. Such design philosophy is predicated on respecting player agency and wit, encouraging experimentation, and rewarding clever strategy.

Paramo’s and Patel’s references to New Vegas are far from perfunctory. They signal a dedication to crafting a rich tapestry of interwoven quests and secrets that construct a complex world narrative, like New Vegas, where side quests significantly inform the central conflict, Avowed aims to construct a similarly intertwined adventure tapestry, which could be a magnet for RPG fans who yearn for stories with gravity and consequence.

In promising a curated experience that marries the world-building strengths of The Outer Worlds with the narrative intricacies of Fallout: New Vegas, Obsidian set the stage for Avowed to be a groundbreaking addition to the fantasy RPG genre. Fans of the studio now eye Avowed with rapt attention, ready to plunge into the unique blend of storytelling and gameplay that could very well turn the genre on its head. One thing seems certain: Avowed is charting its own course, aiming to be much more than just another fantasy RPG.