Summary
Avowedis set to feature a fresh perspective on the world of Eora through its first-person action RPG format. While this change seems intended to introduce a more direct and engaging gameplay experience compared to itsspiritual predecessors in thePillars of Eternitytitles, it has also resulted in a significant simplification of one area of character customization.
Within the greater role-playing game sphere, character backgrounds have always played a major part in personalizing the player’s experience in a game’s world. ThePillarstitles both featured extensive lists of backgrounds that factored into gameplay by contributing to tangible combat mechanics, butAvowedhas transitioned into taking a more streamlined approach to developing the history of the player character with a smaller set of choices.
Pillars of Eternity’s Robust Background Options
Granularity Immediately Encourages Role-playing
Between the original game andPillars of Eternity 2’s increased complexity, there are over 20 backgrounds available to choose from, which indicate a previous occupation the player may have had. On top of influencing different interactions, these influence skills by providing respective bonuses. Nearly every walk of life is accounted for within this selection, and there are even further Background Specializations that even further narrow down the details of one’s past. Not only do the likes of “Scientist” and “Raider” have different bonuses and dialogue options, but the player can even specifically elaborate on their morality in that job and why that part of their life came to an end.
As a fully separate trait that plays off background choice, different cultures that represent the various parts ofPillars of Eternity’s world of Eoracan also be selected. This further allows the player to customize where their character originates from beyond just their prior role in society and grants a fitting attribute bonus. This level of customization not only required deep involvement in character creation, but acted as a way to display the series' lore through an organic medium which eased the player into the worldbuilding.
Avowed’s Approach to Backgrounds Will Be a Noticeable Trade-off
The Potential for Enhancing Narrative Depth Over Gameplay
As opposed to the array seen in previous titles,character creation inAvowedwill only include five backgrounds, which seemingly have less of a direct impact on combat gameplay. Starting an adventure will essentially be simplified when it comes to this aspect of personal lore, with Arcane Scholar being confirmed as one of the options. These will make unique dialogue available, but they don’t seem to have the same bearing on skills and attributes seen from the cultures and backgrounds ofPillars' system. Considering the more cinematic visual style thatAvowedseems to have adopted, however, this could also serve to greatly enhance the narrative through more handcrafted moments centered around each respective background. It makes sense that the reduced amount may signal a shallower experience at first, but there’s also a chance that Obsidian has used this as an advantage in order to achieve more immersion than was ever possible in a CRPG.
Balancing Accessibility for Newer Players
For newcomers to Eora who are unfamiliar with the intricacies of Obsidian’s prior titles in the universe, the streamlining of backgrounds may end up making for a more approachable experience. In having no choice but to play as an Envoy of the Aedyr Empire, several of the previously available backgrounds are also bound to be ill-fitting for preceding such a title. Sifting through over 20 descriptions to decide on a character is less likely to appeal to the audience which naturally gravitates to action titles, and it could actually end up making for a more widely appealing release that lives up to the expectations thatAvowed’s new camera perspectivehas been building since its initial reveal.
Avowed
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger. Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands - an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness. You discover a personal connection to the Living Lands and an ancient secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder?
