Obsidian’s upcoming game Avowed is set to have a unique approach to how the game handles exploration. While many first-person RPGs in the style of the game have a heavy emphasis on exploring the map, Avowed will take a slightly different stance on the act of discovering new locations and areas.

The studio is keeping its cards rather close to its chest when it comes to Avowed’s story, but has revealed that it will take place in the Living Lands of the world of Eora, first introduced in the Pillars of Eternity franchise. The gameplay and setting look to be somewhat reminiscent of the Elder Scrolls series, presenting a sprawling fantasy world for the player to inhabit. However, the variety of weapons, and therefore different playstyles, seems to be much greater, offering archery, magic, and guns to name a few. As the player inhabits the role of an envoy from another country investigating rumors of a plague, they will be able to make that character their own by selecting not only their weapon loadout, but also their companions and their views of the world around them. However, it is the distinct system of navigating that world that might be most interesting to some.

Avowed Infected Skeleton
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Exploration Will Play a Unique Role in the Living Lands of Avowed

In recent years, exploration has become an increasingly important feature of many RPGs, with some players not even considering games that don't offer an open world experience. Avowed looks to bring mechanics from the best open world games to players, but only if they choose to seek them out. What this means is, exploring the entire map will likely remain optional in favor of the narrative laid out by the game. However, for players who favor a more discovery-based experience, there is plenty to uncover if they choose to venture off the beaten path.

While previous games in the RPG genre have used over-leveled enemies as a means of gatekeeping, it’s rumored that in Avowed, if a player defeats that enemy early, they might just be heavily rewarded. They might also be rewarded by uncovering powerful weapons or memorable Easter Eggs that build on the game’s narrative. What’s truly great about this system is that players who don’t want to explore won’t be forced to, but players who do still have enough incentive to keep going.

Obsidian Places Player Choice First

Previous Obsidian games such as Fallout: New Vegas or The Outer Worlds have always allowed players to play their way. Much like those games, fans might expect to see multiple endings in Avowed. The player's choices in the game often have a direct outcome on how the ending unfolds, creating more incentive for wandering off of the preset path. Players who explore the map thoroughly are sure to find plenty of side quests that might just change the shape of the game world, endearing them or vilifying them to the game's various factions. For those who want to experience the game in a vastly different way than their friends, poking their noses where they don’t belong might be the best part of the experience.

Conversely, some players only want the basic narrative imposed upon their gameplay experience. Not everyone cares about the grand story of a game. Plenty of people only play games for the exciting action sequences of the best combat systems in gaming. While further exploration might offer more opportunities for combat, the base game is sure to sate their thirst well enough on its own. For them, there’s no need to go somewhere that the game doesn’t direct them to, and that’s just fine. Just as players won’t be penalized for exploring, they also won’t miss anything important if they choose not to focus on exploration.

What’s truly great about this system is that players who don’t want to explore won’t be forced to, but players who do still have enough incentive to keep going.

This is all part of Obsidian’s "player choice first" outlook on game design. The developer has always strived to give the player the most freedom possible. If the player wants a solo mission, companions in Avowed are totally optional, yet if they need some extra help, companions offer more choices. Just like Obsidian's previous games, Avowed seems like an RPG that is what players make it.