The long-awaited Obsidian Entertainment first-person fantasy RPGAvowedfinally reared its head at the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase, showing off what players can expect from its world as well as gameplay. WhileAvowedis just one of several high anticipated fantasy RPGs fans are looking forward to alongside titles likeFableandThe Elder Scrolls 6, it has one gameplay element that could help it stand out from the crowd. The new trailer for the game showed the player being able to use guns alongside weapons like swords, axes, and magic, setting the stage forAvowedto up the ante for the genre.
Set in the same world asObsidian’sPillars of Eternityfranchise, the precedent of guns existing in the world ofAvowedhas already been established by its sister series. From the footage shown in the trailer, it appears that these weapons will blend seamlessly into combat with other ranged options like bows and magic also available to players. Although the concept of “Skyrimwith guns” is a well-established meme, it seems likeAvowedmight be following this formula quite literally, and ironically, it might help give the game its own unique identity.
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How the Use of Guns Could Enhance Avowed’s Combat
While on paper it would seem like mixing gunplay with fantasy elements would make for a weird game tonally, thePillars of Eternityseries has shown that the two mix surprisingly well. While traditional ranged combat option like magic and bows will be present inAvowed, adding in firearms to the lineup gives players a wider range of combat options and could aid in the RPG character-building aspect of the game.Avowed’s gameplay revealhas already shown a variety of weapon types, but the brief glimpse of the gunplay shown is the most intriguing of the bunch.
Thanks to the foundation laid byPillars of Eternity,Avowed’s firearmshave a lot of room for diversity that could make a gun-centric build a serious powerhouse. The recent trailer only showed a clip of the player dual wielding pistols, but there are other types offirearms fromPillars of Eternitythat could make an appearance inAvowed. The game could feature a shotgun-like blunderbuss or rifle-like arquebus to meld typical FPS weapon archetypes in with the established fantasy weapon types and create a genre-bending arsenal of gear for players to pick their preferred play style from.
Concerns about the implementation of firearms and FPS-like gameplay in a fantasy RPG should be mitigated by the fact that Obsidian has a history of developing solid FPS combat in the past. Previous titles from the developer likeFallout: New VegasandThe Outer Worldsshow that Obsidian can develop competent gunplay within the RPG genre and even use the weapons to help enhance their storytelling capabilities. It would be more of a concern if the studio didn’t have these titles under their belt or ifPillars of Eternityhadn’t previously established the use of firearms in its world, but these factors help instill confidence inAvowed’s approach to gunplay.
Depending on thesuccess ofAvowed’s gunplay, it could set the new standard for first-person fantasy RPG combat in terms of weapon variety and inspire other developers to push the envelope in the ways they blend this genre with elements of others. The door the addition of firearms opens for build variety cannot be understated as it combines elements of two genres Obsidian has excelled at in the past.Avowedis in a great position to kick off a wave of new fantasy RPGs, and it’s unique approach to combat could set the bar quite high for future titles to clear.
Avowedreleases in 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
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