Avowed will not be an open-world game, but there is a good reason for it

Avowed, the highly anticipated fantasy RPG from Obsidian Entertainment releasing on February 18th, promises to offer players a rich and immersive experience within the Pillars of Eternity universe. The creators of Fallout: New Vegas are designing a world that focuses on meaningful decisions that will influence the game’s narrative, an aspect that fans have been eagerly awaiting.

The reason for no open world: the narrative component

In a recent interview with Xbox Wire, Obsidian explained that Avowed will not be an open-world game. Instead, the map will be divided into zones densely populated with content, similar to the model used in The Outer Worlds. Kate Dollarhye, the narrative designer, emphasized that this structure aims to improve the pacing of the story, allowing developers more detailed control over mission progression. “Pacing is really complicated in open-world games, as it’s difficult to know where the player is at any given time,” commented Dollarhye.

Berto Ritger, director of regions of Avowed, also emphasized that this organization in sequential zones helps maintain the game’s pace, ensuring that the protagonists always know which side missions they have completed before advancing in the main narrative. Although the areas are extensive and allow freedom in exploration, they do not extend as a continuous world, which could hinder narrative cohesion.

Even more, Obsidian ensures that the combat in Avowed is deep and complex, incorporating elements that will keep players on their toes. According to recent statements, “there are unknown elements… and a little bit of danger,” hinting that the promised experience will be more than just a simple journey through a fantasy landscape. Without a doubt, Avowed is shaping up to be a solid alternative to iconic titles like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, offering a narrative supported by meaningful decisions and an engaging combat system.

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