Avowed, slated for release in 2025, promises a richly detailed experience, as revealed by its game director in a recent preview. The game's intricate design ensures player choices significantly impact the overall narrative.
Avowed: A Complex World with Multiple Destinies
Navigating Power Struggles in The Living Lands
Obsidian Entertainment's Avowed offers players continuous opportunities to shape their character's path and ideology through its multifaceted gameplay and multiple endings. Game director Carrie Patel highlights the game's focus on player agency, emphasizing that every decision, no matter how seemingly insignificant, contributes to a cohesive and personalized journey.
"It's about providing constant opportunities for players to express themselves and explore their character's alignment," Patel explains. She further emphasizes the importance of mindful gameplay, encouraging players to reflect on their engagement: "When are you most invested? When are you curious? When does your interest wane? What keeps you engaged from one moment to the next?"
Patel adds that the consequences of player choices in Avowed are deeply intertwined with exploration. The political landscape of The Living Lands, a key region in the world of Eora, presents a complex web of choices and outcomes. "I've enjoyed weaving together the narratives that connect these two worlds," she notes.
Players take on the role of an Aedyran Empire envoy, tasked with investigating a spiritual plague while simultaneously pursuing their own political ambitions. "Giving players depth to explore—that's what makes for meaningful roleplaying," Patel explains. "It's about defining who you want to be in this world and how the game's situations allow you to express that identity."
Beyond the deep RPG mechanics, Avowed features strategic combat combining magic, swords, and firearms. "The abilities and weapon combinations you choose create vastly different experiences with each playthrough," Patel confirms.
Furthermore, Patel confirms to IGN the existence of numerous endings, with a wide array of possible combinations. "Our ending slides number in the double digits, and there are many different combinations," she reveals. "True to Obsidian's style, your ending is a direct reflection of your choices throughout the game, shaped by the content you encounter and your actions within it."