Avowed’s Unique Backgrounds: A Double-Edged Sword in Gameplay Design

Modern high-budget RPGs are now equipped with extensive character creation frameworks, and Avowed by Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox Game Studios is no exception. Upon launching Avowed, players engage in an expansive customization experience, allowing them to craft their envoy’s appearance to their liking. From selecting gender and body type to hairstyles and skin tones, the game offers a diverse range of presets and fine-tuning options. Players can adjust features down to the width of their character’s nose and the subtlety of their skin’s temperature, providing a deeply personalized touch.

Beyond mere aesthetics, Avowed introduces a fascinating dimension with its background selection feature. Each background reveals the character’s origins and influences their interactions throughout the game, granting unique dialogue options, specific starting gear, and tailored attributes. While this might sound familiar to seasoned RPG players, Avowed distinguishes itself through its flexible take on character backgrounds.

Understanding the Unique Background System of Avowed

Playstyle Influences Through Backgrounds

Avowed features five distinct backgrounds: Arcane Scholar, Court Auguer, Noble Scion, Vanguard Scout, and War Hero. Each one caters to a unique playstyle. For example, players opting for the Arcane Scholar can dive into magical battles with wands, while the Noble Scion offers a blend of melee combat and magic. The Vanguard Scout is tailored for fans of ranged warfare, showcasing how background selection impacts gameplay.

Starting attributes also play a crucial role in defining combat efficiency. For instance, a character choosing the Vanguard Scout will commence their journey with three points in Perception—enhancing their critical hits and accuracy from afar—and two points each in Dexterity and Constitution. Here, Dexterity boosts attack speed and reload efficiency, while Constitution increases resilience against adverse conditions like Poisoned or Bleeding effects.

Freedom of Choice in Avowed

Despite the intricacy of character backgrounds, players will find that the selection is not overly constricting. Unlike many RPGs, Avowed allows players the freedom to access all equipment and abilities, regardless of their chosen background. While this design philosophy promises inclusivity, it raises some questions about overall gameplay dynamics.

Balancing Freedom with Replay Value

This level of accessibility is particularly appealing to gamers who prioritize efficiency in their gameplay. Those with limited time may appreciate not being pigeonholed into a specific playstyle due to their initial choices, which can serve as a significant selling point. Conversely, this very flexibility can dilute the incentive to replay Avowed, as players won’t experience different facets of the game depending on their initial selections.

As a result, the replayability of Avowed may not stack up against more traditional RPGs that emphasize consequential choices, such as Baldur’s Gate 3. Although less restrictive backgrounds appeal to players who want to experiment with diverse combat strategies, hardcore RPG enthusiasts may find this approach lacking in depth.

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