In the realm of fantasy, few games have woven a world as vast and enchanting as Bethesda’s Skyrim. A sprawling landscape, abundant with mystery and adventure, beckoned players to leave their mark on its snow-capped mountains and lush forests. Now, Avowed, an RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, has emerged to cast its own spell, one that whisks players away to a realm reminiscent of the beloved classic. But what sets this new experience apart, and does it live up to the towering legacy of its inspirational predecessor? In this review, we’ll delve into the world of Avowed and discover if its modest proportions belie a depth and richness that will captivate fans of the genre.
A Welcoming World to Explore
As you step into the world of Avowed, the first thing that strikes you is the incredible sense of scale and wonder. From the windswept mountains to the lush forests and mystical ruins, every inch of this realm seems to be begging to be explored. The landscape is dotted with secrets, hidden away in caves, hidden temples, and ancient ruins, making it impossible not to wander off the beaten path and discover something new.
This leads to some incredibly immersive moments, where you stumble upon hidden clearings, abandoned settlements, or ancient artifacts, each with their own stories to tell and mysteries to unravel. And with an intuitive travel system, you can easily find your way back to your last discovery, or to your next destination. The discovery aspect is truly at the forefront of the game, and the design of the world encourages you to keep exploring, to uncover the next piece of lore, or to stumble upon the next piece of forgotten knowledge.
Streamlined Gameplay Reduces Friction
One of the major factors that contributes to Avowed’s overall sense of accessibility is its approach to gameplay mechanics. Gone are the days of convoluted menus and complicated character builds; in their place, Avowed offers a refreshingly streamlined experience that lets players focus on what really matters – exploration and combat.
Talents and Abilities are equally as intuitive, with options to upgrade and specialize abilities as you progress through the game. Players can choose from a variety of Core Abilities that grant passive benefits, as well as Active Abilities that can be used in combat or to augment exploration.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Core Abilities | Grant passive benefits, influence character attributes and interactions. |
| Active Abilities | Used in combat, augment exploration, or interact with the environment. |
Other notable features of Avowed’s talent system include the ability to
- Rearrange and upgrade your Talents
- Re-spec your character at any time
- Unlock Legacy Talents as you progress through the game
A More Focused Narrative Approach
Avowed has made significant strides in refining the formula that made Skyrim so compelling, and one of the most notable improvements is in its storytelling approach. Gone are the days of overwhelming player choice and sprawling narratives that often felt disconnected from the core experience. Instead, the game has adopted a more streamlined approach, with a narrative that expertly balances player agency with a compelling, driven storyline.
this more focused approach has allowed the developers to hone in on the unique characters and cultures that populate the world of Eora, bringing a level of depth and nuance to the game’s lore that feels both fresh and familiar. Whether it’s the intricate politics of the Aedyr Empire or the history-rich landscapes of the Aetherean, every aspect of the game’s world feels meticulously crafted to draw the player in and keep them invested. Some of the ways this is achieved include:
- Well-developed NPCs with complex motivations and backstories that inform their actions and interactions with the player.
- Environmental storytelling that uses the game’s beautiful landscapes and architecture to convey the history and culture of the world.
- Player choice and consequence that feels meaningful and impactful, without overwhelming the player with too many options or possibilities.
| Avowed | Skyrim | |
|---|---|---|
| Length of Main Quest | 10-12 hours | 20-30 hours |
| Number of Supporting Characters | 10-15 | 20-25 |
| Player Choice and Consequence | Streamlined and meaningful | Overwhelming and disjointed |
The Magic System is a Major Standout
Avowed’s approach to magic is refreshingly intuitive, allowing players to experiment with complex spell combinations without feeling overwhelmed. The system is based on a simple yet versatile framework, where players can combine various magical energies, known as “essences,” to create unique effects.
This essence-based system enables a wide range of creative possibilities, from elemental manipulation to illusion casting. For example, players can combine fire and lightning essences to create a devastating blast of flame, or use illusion essences to create elaborate deceptions. The possibilities are endless, and the system is robust enough to accommodate a variety of playstyles.
Essence
Description
Luminari
A radiant energy that can heal wounds or blind enemies.
Pyrope
A fiery essence that can ignite flames or scorch foes.
Terraverde
A natural energy that can manipulate the earth or summon vines.
- Combining Luminari and Pyrope essences can create an intense blast of flame that deals massive damage to enemies.
- Using Terraverde essence in conjunction with illusion essences can create complex earthquakes that disorient and confuse foes.
Character Customization is Robust but Limited
Character customization in Avowed offers an impressive array of options, but one can’t help but feel that something’s holding it back. Upon entering the character creation menu, you’re presented with a multitude of choices for facial features, body types, and skin tones. The level of detail is undoubtedly impressive, allowing for a high degree of control over your character’s appearance.
However, as you begin to tinker with the various options, you start to notice the limitations. For instance, there are only a handful of playable races to choose from, which might feel restrictive to some fans of fantasy RPGs.
| Race Options | Description |
|---|---|
| Human | Default playable race in Avowed. |
| Elf | Tall and slender, with a strong affinity for magic. |
| Dwarf | Resilient and sturdy, with a keen eye for crafting. |
Additionally, while the character customization system excels at allowing players to create unique appearances, it falls short in terms of depth. Features such as tattoos and scars are noticeably absent, and the palette of available hairstyles feels somewhat limited.
- Hairstyles: Only about 20 different styles to choose from.
- Beard Options: Disappointingly sparse, with only a handful of variations.
Combat Feels Satisfying but a Bit Repetitive
At its core, combat is where Avowed shines the brightest, with a spellbinding system that promises to deliver one of the most immersive magical experiences in recent memory. Every spell I cast is augmented by a subtle rumble of the controller, drawing me further into the world and cementing my connection to the arcane arts. It’s exhilarating to weave a tapestry of elemental destruction, summoning firestorms and unleashing lightning bolts upon my foes.
However, after an extended play session, the combat begins to feel slightly repetitive, with some encounters devolving into simplistic patterns of ‘cast, shoot, repeat’. The absence of any meaningful enemy AI exacerbates this issue, leaving me facing off against adversaries that are content to mindlessly charge forward, rather than attempting to outmaneuver or flank me. Some of the key issues include:
- Lack of distinct attack patterns among enemy types
- Limited defensive capabilities, making combat feel more aggressive than tactical
| Enemy Type | Distinctive Features | Attack Patterns |
|---|---|---|
| Goblins | Low health, agile | Mindless charge, occasional archer support |
| Trolls | High health, strong melee | Slow, lumbering charge, area-of-effect attacks |
| Bandits | Medium health, ranged focus | Sporadic ranged attacks, occasional melee defense |
A Miniature Take on the Elder Scrolls Formula
Avowed’s scaled-down world is where its biggest departure from Skyrim lies. The game doesn’t rely on massive open worlds and instead presents a more curated experience. This approach emphasizes exploration and discovery, using well-designed, interconnected levels to provide an intimate experience.
- Smaller doesn’t mean less complex: avowed’s areas are meticulously crafted, with attention to detail and historical importance.
- New ways of interacting*: A vast array of environmental elements to engage with, and interesting mini-games like repairing old gear.
| Games | Approx. Playable Area | Length (approximate time to 100%) |
|---|---|---|
| The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | 59 km² / 22.8 sq mi | 50-100 hours |
| Avowed | Est. between 5-20 % smaller than Skyrim | 25-50 hours |
size of playable areas is approximate and can be subjective, *times may vary depending on players and level difficulty.
Exploration is Encouraged and Rewarding
The world of Avowed is rich in history and lore, much of it hiding in plain sight, waiting to be unearthed by curious players. As you explore the environment, you’ll stumble upon ancient texts, mysterious artifacts, and cryptic messages etched into the walls. These clues weave together to form a larger narrative that’s equal parts fascinating and unsettling.
As you delve deeper into the world, the landscape itself becomes a character, full of secrets and surprises. From hidden caves to ancient ruins, each location is meticulously crafted to invite exploration and discovery. Wanting to know what’s around the next bend or hidden behind a waterfall becomes an addiction.
- Seek out rare ingredients for crafting potent spells and elixirs
- Uncover hidden side quests that flesh out the world’s lore
- Discover new locations, each with their own unique history and challenges
| Discovery Type | Reward |
|---|---|
| Hidden Caves | Rare minerals, unique crafting recipes |
| Forgotten Quests | Unlocks new locations, increases reputation |
| Secret Areas | Hidden loot, exclusive items |
Graphics and Sound Design Create a Believable World
The visual landscape of Erebus is vibrant, teeming with life, as if every corner is imbued with an otherworldly essence. Enchanted forests writhe with sentient, ethereal vines that lunge out like ghostly serpents, promising untold wonders within the flickering veil of luminescent mist. Trees twist and writhe as giants, their gnarled trunks swirling with intricate, etched runes that whisper ancient tales in hushed tones, in sync with the lapping tides of celestial energies. Even buildings blur into a tangle of architecture both majestic and woefully crumbling, as if centuries past and future merge into a tapestry of storied, earth-toned grandeur.
Within this realm of unparalleled vibrancy, the melodic harmonies echo in defiance against all the turmoil. Fleeting glimpses of sound give birth to forgotten symphonies transcending language, a wistful harmony linking every piece of forgotten beauty.
- Whispering dunes of desolate wastelands.
- Celestial choirs within luminescent caverns.
- Soft chanting echoes within enchanted lakes.
Perhaps most unexpectedly, a satisfying combat cadence brings newfound depth to battles: each collision and impact presents a chilling symphony linking it to each warrior’s skill and prowess. When music becomes an evolving entity, battles reach an extraordinary new depth.
| Environment | Soundscapes |
|---|---|
| Haunted ruins | Haunting choirs, shattered wind chimes, distant howling |
| Peaceful glades | Whispering zephyrs, chirping serenaders, hidden forest streams |
| Battles within volcanoes | Smoldering crackles, grumbling thunder, cascading lava chasms |
Avowed Plays to the Strengths of its Smaller Budget
In many ways, Avowed’s relatively restricted budget does feel like a liberating factor in its development, as the more modest scope of its world and story allows it to breathe, free from the suffocating pressures of grand, but often hollow, blockbuster AAA releases.
The more compact open world, rather than a uniformly expansive setting, carefully preserves key locations, memories, and sensations, from rugged seascapes and meandering river valleys to the eerie mysterious forests of old. As the team poured its heart and soul into the very essence of each discovery, one begins to realize the sheer wealth of imagination driving this miniature world.
A Promising Start with Room for Improvement
In its current state, Avowed delivers a promising foundation with a rich, immersive atmosphere reminiscent of Bethesda’s Skyrim, albeit in a smaller package. While exploring the sprawling landscapes, you can’t help but notice the eerie similarities to Skyrim’s frozen wilderness. The overall texture quality and environmental details, however, leave something to be desired. Trees look somewhat bland, and the water effects lack a certain finesse, detracting from the overall immersion.
| Feature | Avowed | Skyrim |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics Quality | Fair | Excellent |
| Immersive Atmosphere | Excellent | Excellent |
| Environmental Details | Good | Excellent |
It’s worth noting that the experience of playing Avowed isn’t without its rough edges. Fighting with melee combat feels slightly unresponsive, and battles can get overly chaotic due to the lack of proper locking on or a ‘chase’ mechanic. This leads to some frustrating moments, especially when facing more powerful foes. Nonetheless, the issues feel minor and resolvable through gameplay adjustments and minor tweaks, offering hope for a brighter future for this fledgling title.
To Conclude
As the misty veil of Tamriel’s fantastical realm lifts, we’re left with a profound sense of belonging in the enchanting world of Avowed. Like a delicate, handcrafted miniature, this game distills the essence of its Elder Scrolls inspiration, carefully balancing complexity and intimacy. The result is an experience that extends a warm, inviting hand, ushering us into a richly textured landscape of wonder and discovery. Avowed may not be a sweeping epic in the vein of Skyrim, but it’s a compelling exploration of the spaces between, and it’s here that we find its greatest magic.
