No one currently knows if Avowed will be as popular with role-playing fans when it's released in fall 2024 like previous Obsidian projects. The developers themselves aren't entirely innocent of this.
When developers present their game to the public in advance, they always make themselves vulnerable. An early version lacks polish, a feature not yet fully implemented, and perhaps even visual placeholders: Such inability is often mercilessly exposed in Internet comment columns.
That's what happened recently in Avowed, the new first-person RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (The Outer Worlds, Fallout: New Vegas). During Microsoft's live stream called Developer Direct, the game's presentation left many with a mixed impression:
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Have you seen the new gameplay from Avowed?
Above all, the combat system that resembled the old Elder Scrolls days (and that's not a compliment!) caused observers' brows to wrinkle: Melee with swords and shields seemed too halting, too choppy, too uniform, and the waving of a magic wand seemed too weightless and boring.
We had the opportunity to confront Obsidian Entertainment about the criticism and ask the developers for details about Avowed. Even aside from the combat, there are still some aspects of the role-playing game set in the Pillars of Eternity setting that raise questions. In GameStar Plus you will now get at least some useful answers.
The most important idea: Whoever writes off what is recognized now is definitely making a mistake!
Not the ideal time
Gabriel Paramo is Obsidian's Director of Gameplay and was hired specifically for his work on combat systems in other games. “We have also seen these comments and are actively working on them,” he says in an interview with GameStar. It actually feels better, the opponents in the game [mit Waffen, Anm. d. Red.] A valid contract.”
In the end, what was shown was an early alpha version; The current level of development is far beyond that. “If you show something that's still in production, you'll never see the fully polished product,” admits game director Carrie Patel. Regarding reactions to hits and the (now supposedly more aggressive) enemies' AI, she says: “Some of the aspects people are pointing out to us are exactly things we're currently working on.”
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