Obsidian Entertainment has placed a significant emphasis on player choice and freedom as it approaches the release of its inaugural first-person fantasy roleplaying game, Avowed. In keeping with the overarching theme that players are at the center of the universe, developers have unveiled a classless RPG where there is “no one perfect build.”
Gabe Paramo, the gameplay director, conveys this player-centric philosophy, stating in an interview with Gamesradar+, “At Obsidian, it’s your world, your way, right?”
This principle is translated into the game’s combat mechanics through the dual-wielding system, allowing players to combine any two pieces of equipment simultaneously. Paramo playfully refers to this as “‘Combinatorics,'” acknowledging the good-natured teasing he receives for the term.
He elaborates on the concept, saying, “It’s being able to put a pistol in my right hand and a shield in my offhand. I’m blocking, and I’m firing. It’s the choice and consequence with things like, I’m using a dagger that’s quick and more silent, and I’m using a pistol that’s loud and has a little bit of a reload recovery time on it.”
Initially, Obsidian’s player-first marketing approach left some feeling indifferent, questioning the motivation to actively engage in a world that seemingly lacks challenges.
However, the studio’s impressive track record, featuring titles such as KOTOR 2, Fallout: New Vegas, and the Pillars Of Eternity duology (which shares its setting with Avowed), instills hope that the upcoming game will offer more depth than initially apparent.
Paramo reassures players by disclosing that there are “pros and cons to all the choices,” emphasizing that there is no “one perfect build,” and players will experience consequences based on their character customization.
Interestingly, not all consequences are permanent, as players have the option to respec their character at any time, allowing experimentation with various combinations, such as firearm-shield-wand setups.
The focus on player freedom extends to character-building, enabling adaptability to challenges on the fly. Environmental obstacles add an additional layer, where specific abilities like fire magic or heavy weapons become essential to overcome challenges like melting ice or cutting through the bramble.
While these features sound intriguing, fans eagerly await more glimpses, expressing a desire to see such elements showcased in events like the Xbox Developer Direct 2024.
Previous revelations from developers have hinted at Avowed containing a wealth of content, with the intriguing note that not every player will discover all that the game has to offer. This subtle promise of hidden depths adds an extra layer of anticipation for the upcoming release.
