Avowed: A First Look at the Living Lands
Avowed offers players immense freedom in its expansive world, the Living Lands. Unlike a traditional open world, it’s composed of interconnected “open zones,” each densely packed with content. This approach allows Obsidian to handcraft every detail, ensuring a rich and varied experience.
Exploring the Living Lands
The game begins with the player, the Envoy, tasked by the Aedyr Empire to investigate the Dream Scourge, a soul plague affecting the Living Lands. The island’s inhabitants are a mix of settlers and outlaws, often distrustful of outsiders. Exploration is richly rewarded, with bandit camps, ruins, and hidden secrets scattered throughout the landscape.
Combat and Character Progression
Avowed features a fluid, cinematic first-person combat system. The open class approach allows players to experiment with various weapons and spells, regardless of their chosen backstory. A stamina meter adds a layer of tactical depth, encouraging agile dodging and strategic attacks. The skill tree system allows for character builds along traditional lines, without restricting the player to specific classes.
Story and Choices
The game is filled with meaningful choices that impact the storyline, companions, and settlements. Even minor side quests can have unforeseen consequences, adding depth and replayability. The narrative design emphasizes player agency, allowing for diverse gameplay experiences. The Living Lands itself is a character, its unique atmosphere influencing the game’s story and quest design.
Avowed’s freedom of exploration, dense environments, and engaging combat promise a captivating RPG experience. It’s a game made for getting lost in.