Avowed Sparks Debate: A Focused RPG or a Missed Opportunity? | Image Source: weheartmusic.typepad.com
07 Mar 2025 – When Obsidian Entertainment first appeared, expectations were high. Fans of the past work of the study, especially Pillars of Eternity and Fallout: New Vegas, anticipated a deep and responsive RPG full of player agency, complex global construction and convincing narrative. Now that the game is available, the discussions revolve around its focus on RPG mechanics. Is Avowed an aerodynamic experiment that focuses on basic forces, or does it not fall from the expansive reactivity observed in titles like Skyrim and Baldur’s Gate 3?
What makes you vomit?
In his heart, Avowed is an RPG action that prioritizes exploration, combat and narrative on deep simulation mechanics. Unlike many RPGs that offer systems for unrestricted flight, flight or NPC interactions, Avowed takes a more focused approach. According to PC Gamer, the game does not have a traditional stealth system, and it does not allow players to kill every NPC they find or engage in unhindered thieves. This design decision led to mixed reactions from players who expected a more open experience.
How does the player’s choice affect the world?
Despite its limitations in interactivity, Avowed offers important options that shape the player’s journey. One of the most striking examples is in the Esmeralda region, where the city of Fior month Ivèrno can be destroyed if players do not act in time. According to Kotaku, this moment reinforces the focus of the game on the consequences. Unlike games that allow players to rewind their mistakes, Avowed is committed to their narrative weight, ensuring that failures feel significant.
Comparison with Skyrim and other RPGs
A key point of containment among fans is how Avowed stacks against other RPG giants. Some players claim that they lack immersive elements of games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, where players can choose, commit crimes and manipulate the world in a way that goes beyond fighting and dialogue options. However, as Screen Rant points out, the absence of these mechanics does not necessarily make Avowed a minor RPG. Instead, it is positioned more online with RPG animated by stories like Mass Effect or The Witcher 3, where player options mainly shape the narrative rather than game systems.
Does this sound like a real pillar of eternity’s success?
Given their stage in the Pillars of the universe of eternity, franchise fans have discussed whether Avowed captures the essence of their predecessors. The shift from an isometric and partisan RPG to a first-person RPG was a bold movement of Obsidian. While some appreciate the transition to a more immersive perspective, others think it removes the strategic depth that made the original games unique. As We Heart Music points out, the decision to prioritize action on complex RPG systems could alienate some fans, but it also makes the game more accessible to a wider audience.
Is it too linear?
Another common criticism is that Avowed feels too guided. Unlike sandbox-style RPGs that allow players to walk freely and experiment, Avowed keeps players on a more structured path. This design choice guarantees a tightly woven narrative, but limits emerging moments of play. Some players, as PC Gamer pointed out, believe that the lack of a real open world diminishes the sense of adventure that defines many RPGs.
The arguments for a more concentrated RPG
While some see lack of interactivity as a disadvantage, others argue that it allows Avowed to refine its strengths. Instead of trying to be all at once, the game focuses on delivering strong fighting, attractive missions and a richly detailed world. According to Screen Rant, this approach prevents the game from feeling inflated by unnecessary mechanics, ensuring a polite experience.
Ultimately, if Avowed succeeds, it depends on expectations. Those looking for an open and responsive GPR can be disappointed. But for players looking for a narrative experience, Avowed offers an attractive journey through Viva Lands. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: The vote made a strong impression, loved or criticized.
