In 2011, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim became a significant mainstream success. By concealing the intricate statistics and mechanics typical of a Dungeons & Dragons framework behind an intuitive design and first-person action controls, it offered players unfamiliar with role-playing games an enticing glimpse into the possibilities of the genre. The gaming audience has expanded considerably since then, but Avowed achieves a similar effect. Personally, I find it challenging to engage with PC-style RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Pillars of Eternity, which feature complex systems, extensive lore, tactical combat, and lengthy playtimes. However, by utilizing the setting and mythology from Pillars and crafting a wonderfully streamlined and enjoyable first-person RPG reminiscent of Skyrim, developer Obsidian highlights the exceptional storytelling and fantasy world-building that fans appreciate in PC RPGs, all within a more accessible action-oriented format that can be completed in 50 hours or less.
In the game, you play as an imperial envoy dispatched to the frontier of a vibrant and diverse island known as The Living Lands. Many locals perceive you as a colonizer, and tensions are already escalating between the empire’s forces and local resistance. Compounding the situation, a mysterious plague is ravaging crops and driving both people and creatures into a feral state, a brutal faction of paladins aligned with the empire has revealed their fascist tendencies, and a mysterious god-like voice begins communicating with your character telepathically upon arrival. There’s much to address.
Fortunately, you won’t be alone, as you soon encounter former pirate Kai and expand your crew from there. The narrative is rich and politically charged, and initially, I was uncertain how much I was missing due to my unfamiliarity with Pillars lore. Magic is a significant element in Avowed’s world, even for those who prefer melee combat. An early quest involved assisting a woman whose home was invaded by dinosaur-like creatures, culminating in the revelation that she and the lead dinosaur shared a soul. I chose to respond with compassion, as there was no option to question the plausibility of such a phenomenon.
It took only an hour or two to familiarize myself with the lore, thanks to the numerous books scattered throughout the game and a convenient lore button that provides definitions during conversations. I became so enamored with the world that I might just dive into Pillars of Eternity afterward.
In the early stages of your adventure, you traverse medieval villages, an underground temple surrounded by waterfalls, a farm managed by reanimated corpses, and a sealed temple left by a long-gone civilization. From the realistically rolling waves along the coast to the vibrant neon fungi in glowing caves, and the dense, damp forest campsites beneath starry skies, the game is visually stunning. As with any great RPG, the core of the experience lies in the quests.
