November 21st 2024.
When news of a new role-playing game from the creators of Fallout: New Vegas hit the gaming world, there was a wave of excitement. Avowed, the upcoming game from Obsidian Entertainment, promised to be a thrilling adventure set in a fantasy world called Eora. But as time went on and more details were revealed, some uncertainty started to creep in. Disappointing releases from Xbox and mixed previews of the game have left fans wondering about what Avowed truly has to offer.
But fear not, for GameCentral recently got the chance to go hands-on with Avowed for two whole hours. And let me tell you, the mystery surrounding the game has started to unravel. We now have a much clearer understanding of what the game is all about. However, the question still remains: how will Avowed stand out in a genre that is already heavily saturated with titles?
Avowed is set in the world of Eora, the same fictional universe as Obsidian's previous game, Pillars of Eternity. But this time, the game takes place in a region known as the Living Lands. You play as an envoy of the Aedyr Empire, sent to investigate a deadly plague that is spreading throughout the area. As you embark on your journey, you'll quickly discover that you possess special powers, bestowed upon you by a god in the game's lore. And let me tell you, these powers are no joke - they give you access to magic and even physically alter your appearance.
Speaking of character customization, Avowed offers players the chance to truly make their character their own. From bark growing out of their head to gnarly mushrooms engulfing their appearance, the possibilities are endless. And even if you choose to turn off these unique features, other characters will still react to you as if they were there. It's a small detail, but it adds a level of immersion to the game.
As you start your journey, you'll encounter a variety of quests and characters, each with their own stories and motivations. And as with any good role-playing game, there are choices to be made. Will you trust a prisoner who despises your country, or will you try to find a way off the island on your own? These decisions may not have immediate consequences, but they could affect your journey later on.
One aspect of Avowed that truly stands out is its combat. Unlike some first-person melee combat systems, Avowed's feels fluid and dynamic. With a wide array of spells and abilities at your disposal, the possibilities for combat strategies are endless. And even in the early stages of the game, you'll have plenty of spells to choose from, making it clear that magic will play a major role in Avowed.
Of course, it's hard to talk about Avowed without mentioning its similarities to the beloved Elder Scrolls series. From the dual-wielding of weapons and spells to the dialogue with characters, it's clear that Avowed takes inspiration from Bethesda's popular franchise. But that's not necessarily a bad thing - after all, with no release date in sight for Elder Scrolls 6, a game that captures the essence of the series but with its own unique ideas and setting is more than welcome.
So there you have it - a sneak peek into the world of Avowed. While there are still some uncertainties surrounding the game, it's safe to say that fans of the genre and Obsidian's previous works have a lot to look forward to. With its immersive world, engaging combat, and intriguing story, Avowed is shaping up to be another gem in the crown of this renowned role-playing game developer.
It's no secret that Avowed has been drawing comparisons to Skyrim ever since its announcement. So when GameCentral got the chance to go hands-on with the game, there was a lot of excitement and curiosity surrounding it. After all, with Obsidian Entertainment behind the project, it's no wonder that fans of the RPG genre are eagerly anticipating its release.
But despite Microsoft's recent efforts to shed light on the game and its impending February launch, there's still a shroud of mystery surrounding it. What exactly is Avowed all about? What sets it apart from other games in the genre? These are questions that have yet to be answered, especially in light of some underwhelming releases from Xbox and some lackluster early showcases of the game.
It's a shame really, because Obsidian Entertainment has a stellar reputation when it comes to role-playing games. With titles like Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic 2, Fallout: New Vegas, and The Outer Worlds under their belt, it's no surprise that fans are eagerly awaiting their next big project.
Fortunately, a recent preview of the game has lifted some of the mystery surrounding it. GameCentral had the opportunity to play the first two hours of the game, and while some questions still remain, there's now a much clearer picture of what Avowed is all about. As for how it will stand out in a crowded genre, well, that's still up in the air.
Set in the fantasy world of Eora, which fans may recognize from Pillars Of Eternity, Avowed takes place in the Living Lands. Players take on the role of an envoy for the Aedyr Empire, sent on a mission by the Emperor himself. The game opens with a history lesson and a plethora of names and countries with an abundance of vowels, giving the impression of a generic setting. But for anyone who's played a fantasy RPG before, the gist is easy to pick up.
One unique aspect of Avowed is that players are "Godlike," individuals who were blessed with special powers by one of the gods in the game's lore while in the womb. This is rare in the world of Pillars of Eternity, but not unheard of. The catch? Players don't know which god bestowed them with these powers, but they do have access to magic and physical features that set them apart from others.
In the preview, the player character had bark growing out of their head and face, but there are other options such as mushrooms to customize their appearance. These features can be turned off, but other characters will still react as if they're present, adding an interesting dynamic to the game.
The game begins with players being sent to the Living Lands to investigate rumors of a plague, known as the Dream Scourge, that's affecting the area. As it turns out, this plague is fungal in nature and turns animals and people into monstrous beings. Think The Last Of Us' Clickers, but more colorful.
It's no secret that Obsidian and Bethesda have a long-standing relationship, with Obsidian even working on BioWare franchises like Knights Of The Old Republic and Fallout. The Outer Worlds also pays homage to the two companies' shared respect and talent. And with Avowed, that connection is still evident.
Avowed draws inspiration from the Elder Scrolls games, evident from the first teaser trailer. Players can dual-wield weapons and spells, engage in dialogue with other characters, and discover quests while exploring the game's landscapes. Even the way the player's hands appear in front of them during combat is reminiscent of Oblivion. But this is not a bad thing, especially since the next Elder Scrolls game is still a mystery. A game heavily inspired by the series, but with its own unique ideas and setting, is definitely something to look forward to.
The game's prologue begins with the player character being shipwrecked on their journey to the Living Lands. They're rescued by a blue creature who informs them that it was their own countrymen who attacked the ship. As players set out to investigate the incident, they quickly discover that the Dream Scourge is at the center of it all.
As with any RPG, there are choices and distractions to be found as players try to find a way off the island. For example, they may come across a prisoner who despises the Aedyr Empire and, by extension, the player character. The choice to trust and free her for a ride on her boat, or to leave her and find another way, presents itself early on.
During the preview, there weren't many opportunities for these types of choices or their consequences, but it's reassuring to know that there will be plenty of side quests to explore. And hopefully, these choices will have a significant impact on the player's journey.
As players explore the opening area, they'll come across various weapons and a book that grants access to several spells. It's clear that Avowed will focus heavily on magic, with players able to access a variety of spells across different elemental types.
One of the game's strong suits is its combat, which can be a hit or miss in first-person melee games. But even in the early stages of the game, players have plenty of stamina to dart and move quickly, making combat feel fluid and exciting.
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