Summary
Obsidian Entertainment’sAvowedis set to release next year and bring a first-person fantasy experience with its own unique world to the forefront. Following the legacy of Obsidian titles likeFallout: New VegasandNeverwinter Knights 2,Avowedis set in thePillars of Eternityuniverse and brings what was previously a CRPG franchise into full action territory in a show of the developer’s skill at expanding upon existing franchises. It may have been overshadowed by the emphasis on combat in its latest trailer, but the world ofAvowedis already building upon the rich lore of its predecessors.
Taking place inPillars of Eternity’s world of Eora,Avowedsees the player exploring theLiving Lands, a previously mysterious continent only mentioned in the lore of previous games. Said to be a wild place of few settlements and lawlessness,Avowed’s trailer has offered the furthest look into Eora’s northernmost landmass yet. Details may still be scarce so far leading up to the game’s 2024 launch, but several rumors about the title’s new geography offer more potential insight.
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Galawain’s Tusks
Rumored to be the volcanic and rocky zone seen in the trailer, Galawain’s Tusks seems to be an example of the unforgiving terrain that the Living Lands is known for. While it has traditional craggy landscape expected of that biome, there also seems to be diversity in the form of various prominent, colorful fungal growths across the environment. The player’s purpose has been stated to be the investigation of a mysterious plague that is ailing inhabitants the lands, and the presence of so many mushrooms could bear a connection to theplague-infested undead inAvowed.
Seemingly named after one of Eora’s deities –Galawain, patron of the hunt– this area fits the theme of the thematic wild nature of the continent. Despite that, there is more development than one would expect. Considering the game’s time period of more advanced technology like flintlock pistols, it makes sense that more settlement is now taking place. A statue of a figure has been seen being constructed right at the foot of a volcano within what appears to be Galawain’s Tusks, showing a perseverance against the elements that may be characteristic of this region.
Dawnshore
While the majority of the areas showcased forAvowedso far have fit into the Living Lands' theme of untamed nature, the player’s arrival as an envoy of theAedyr Empireappears to take place in a port city known as Dawnshore. Seemingly seen in the distance of the horizons of nearby plains and woods in the trailer, Dawnshore is likely to be the most developed settlement in the game’s world. If this is expected to be the starting zone,Avowedcould very well see players venturing deeper into the wilds as the title progresses. As the first area in an RPG can be emblematic of a game’s direction as a whole, Dawnshore seems to be telling ofAvowed’s change in direction for its broader series.
ThePillars of Eternityfranchise has become known for prioritizing a deep narrative and heavy focus on world-building, but the choice to setAvowedin the Living Lands could be an intentional shift towards a more action-oriented approach. The game isn’t aiming to emulate the scope ofopen world games likeSkyrim, preferring to focus on delivering a strong core story, but that doesn’t change how much real-time combat has been brought to the forefront when compared to its CRPG roots. As mercenaries seem to greet the player with weapons drawn upon arrival at Dawnshore, even the most developed settlement ofAvowed’s world doesn’t seem to be safe for an outsider.
Avowedreleases in 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
