Avowed was first announced over a year ago during July 2020’s Xbox Game Showcase. You might not remember it from that time and we wouldn’t blame you. There wasn’t tonnes of coverage of it and it didn’t generate much of a buzz. But new details are slowly emerging about the upcoming fantasy RPG that should help answer the question “what is Avowed?”.
It’s important to remember that this game is still in the early stages of development (pre-alpha phase to be precise). That means there’s every chance things will change between now and its eventual release. But what we’ve heard so far definitely has us excited. Some are even calling it a ‘Skyrim killer’! Big words – and there will no doubt be plenty of speculation and arguments about Avowed vs Skyrim over the coming months. For now, let’s delve into the latest details…
Trailer
An Avowed trailer debuted during last year’s Xbox Game Showcase. As work on the game had only just begun, the trailer is comprised entirely of pre-rendered CGI. So, while the trailer piqued our interest, it didn’t show us any actual footage of Avowed in action. But if you haven’t checked it out already, it’s definitely worth a watch so you can get a feel for what it might be like.
Who is making it?
Avowed is being developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Obsidian are known in recent years for Fallout: New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity, South Park: The Stick of Truth, and The Outer Worlds. It’s safe to say they have an excellent track record with RPGs, which stands the company in good stead for a supposed Skyrim killer.
So, what is Avowed?
As you’ve probably figured out by now, it’s a fantasy RPG. It’s set in the world of Eora, meaning it therefore shares a fictional universe with the Pillars of Eternity series. And, apparently, it’ll give Skyrim a run for its money. We don’t know that much about its gameplay, but a recent report from Windows Central indicates it will bear a striking resemblance to The Elder Scrolls V. It will supposedly feature “action-oriented first-person combat”, as well as “deep RPG exploration and narrative systems”. Windows Central also explained that it “seems to be based on a similar, albeit enhanced engine from The Outer Worlds”. So if you loved The Outer Worlds – and many people did – this one should be right up your street.
As for the Skyrim comparison, it will apparently borrow from that game’s two-handed combat system. And characters can be built from “multiple class playstyles”. That means players will be able to combine different classes, weapons and magic to create their perfect character. Windows Central also described Avowed as Obsidian’s answer to Skyrim, much like The Outer Worlds was their take on Fallout.
To top things off, the game will feature familiar elements from Pillars of Eternity. This includes spells such as Jolting Touch, Fireball, and Fetid Caress. Avowed will also include weapon enchantments, guns, and creatures many will recognise from Pillars of Eternity. Additionally, you can expect it to be offer a varied colour palette that will help bring its caves, tombs, forests, flora, and buildings to life. Speaking of its environments, you can also look forward to swimming and destructibility (like using fire to clear blocked entryways).
What platforms will Avowed be on?
It’s currently planned as a Microsoft exclusive. Sorry, PlayStation players. This one will be Xbox and PC-only as far as we know.
Avowed Release Date
Now you know what it is, you may be asking “when is Avowed coming out?” Well, unfortunately, we don’t know yet. A release date is yet to be confirmed. However, it could be as early as late 2022 given that it was announced back in 2020.
Do you think Avowed could finally dethrone Skyrim as the most popular fantasy RPG? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
