Avowed’ companions must be game-changers.

Avowed' companions must be game-changers.

Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed: Companion Characters or No?

avowed

Way back in 2020, amidst the mysterious haze of the gaming world, Obsidian Entertainment dropped a bombshell – the announcement trailer for their upcoming RPG, Avowed. Back then, Obsidian kept their cards close, revealing only tidbits about the game. But one thing was clear – Avowed seemed to be the studio’s answer to The Elder Scrolls franchise. Fast forward three magical years, and Obsidian has started peeling back the curtain, offering us a glimpse into the fantastical world of Avowed. But wait, one crucial question lingers on our questing minds: will there be companion characters in this epic adventure?

dragon-age

Before we delve into the possibilities, let’s appreciate Obsidian’s history with RPG companions. You see, RPGs have been Obsidian’s bread and butter since before the studio even existed (cue dramatic music). Assembling a talented team of former Black Isle Studios veterans, who had worked on the likes of Fallout 2, Obsidian initially honed their skills developing sequels to BioWare classics like Neverwinter Nights 2 and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2. Eventually, they spread their wings and crafted their own IPs, becoming a force to be reckoned with in the mid-2010s. Then, in a wave of fortune, Microsoft snatched up Obsidian in 2018, showering them with resources for their grand adventures.

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Throughout their journey, Obsidian gained a reputation for creating captivating companion characters. Just take a look at The Outer Worlds, with its delightful roster of misfits. Each companion shines with their unique flair, making it impossible to choose a favorite (we’re not even going to try, okay?). And let’s not forget about the sprawling cast of characters in both Pillars of Eternity games, whose loyalties shift with the player’s actions, creating a dynamic and ever-changing landscape of relationships. But, my dear adventurers, there’s a slight predicament – this style of companion character has become somewhat of a norm since 2009. It’s high time for some fresh air in this realm of comrades and cohorts!

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Now, let’s talk about BioWare and Bethesda – the masters of the companion game. BioWare revolutionized the landscape in 2009 with Dragon Age: Origins, introducing a colorful world teeming with companion characters whose fates hung in the balance, determined by the player’s choices. From that point on, BioWare continually pushed the boundaries, and Obsidian eagerly followed suit in games like Fallout: New Vegas and the Pillars of Eternity series. Bethesda, on the other hand, offered companions in games like Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, but they mostly served as trusty NPC sidekicks.

It wasn’t until Fallout 4 that Bethesda experimented with companion characters who reacted to the player’s actions, their relationships evolving depending on the player’s choices. And now, with their upcoming game Starfield, companions and romantic interests will likely be watching your every move, ready to react accordingly. Ah, the exciting world of gaming!

avowed

But what about Avowed? Can we expect Obsidian to follow the well-trodden path, or will they take a leap into the unknown? There are no definitive answers, my fellow adventurers. Speculation runs rampant as we wait with bated breath. While Avowed having companion characters would be a natural progression from Pillars of Eternity, we can never truly know how Obsidian will approach this aspect. The developer’s comments hint at a smaller scale, perhaps in comparison to the vastness of Skyrim. Will they strive to break the mold or embrace the comfortable familiarity of the genre? Only time will reveal the secrets that the supporting characters of Avowed hold.

For now, gear up, sharpen your blades, and prepare for a journey of epic proportions in Avowed, currently in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.

Stay tuned for more thrilling updates!