Obsidian Entertainment, renowned for its role-playing games (RPGs), has recently shifted its focus to more compact projects like Pentiment and Grounded. However, the studio has made a triumphant return to the RPG genre with the launch of Avowed. This marks their first significant RPG release since the acclaimed The Outer Worlds in 2019, embodying the classic Obsidian gaming experience that fans cherish.Avowed serves as a spin-off of the popular Pillars of Eternity series, allowing gamers to choose between first- and third-person perspectives within its expansive open-zone environment. While not entirely open-world in the style of Skyrim or Fallout 4, it offers a wealth of content to explore.
After a five-day early access phase, Avowed debuted earlier this week on platforms including Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Game Pass, and PC. Initial reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with the game achieving a Top Critic Average of 82/100 on OpenCritic, complemented by a 79% Mostly Positive rating on Steam at the time of writing. Critics have drawn parallels between Avowed and some of Bethesda’s iconic RPGs, such as Skyrim, noting that while it may not offer groundbreaking innovations, it outshines them in terms of its third-person gameplay mechanics.
Avowed’s Third-Person Mode: A Polished Experience
Seamless Perspective Swapping in Avowed
Despite much of the promotional content for Avowed showcasing it primarily as a first-person title, players are able to effortlessly switch to third-person mode. This can be done by pressing and holding the right thumbstick on Xbox controllers or using the “U”key on a keyboard and mouse setup. Notably, this feature was not highlighted until recently; while Avowed was first unveiled back in 2020, the announcement regarding its third-person capabilities only came after the June 2024 Xbox Showcase.
Some may speculate that this perspective switch was hastily added, but early feedback suggests otherwise. Although there are minor imperfections, the third-person experience in Avowed feels remarkably refined. Player character animations are fluid, the camera maintains stability, and combat mechanics are generally satisfying. While many may find that the game shines brightest in first-person, the third-person mode stands out as significantly more polished than the offerings seen in some of Bethesda’s classics.
A Comparative Analysis: Avowed vs. Classic Bethesda Games
Much like Avowed, several of Bethesda Game Studios’ AAA titles allow players to engage in both first- and third-person perspectives—a feature that has become standard in the RPG landscape. However, in many of these titles, such as Fallout 3 and Skyrim, the third-person viewpoint often feels like an afterthought. Players frequently find the animations clunky, and aiming during combat can present challenges in this perspective. Even Obsidian’s own Fallout: New Vegas, built on the same engine as its predecessors, shares these shortcomings.
Fortunately, Avowed addresses many of these issues effectively. As a result, it distinguishes itself as one of the few AAA RPGs that offers a nearly seamless experience in both gameplay perspectives. Players opting to immerse themselves entirely in the third-person mode will largely enjoy a robust gaming experience that feels well-crafted and engaging.
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