Avowed - Inside Obsidian's brand-new RPG

The Big Preview cover for Avowed
(Image credit: Microsoft)

Welcome to The Big Preview: the home for in-depth conversations around the biggest upcoming games. We've spent some time with Xbox Studio Obsidian to take a deeper look at its next RPG, Avowed

We got a delicious new look at Avowed from Obsidian Games at the recent Xbox Developer Direct. Following that, we got the chance to sit down with game director Carrie Patel and gameplay director Gabe Paramo to talk about player choice and consequences, combat, its Pillars of Eternity links, classes, and more.

Fast Facts: Avowed

Avowed

(Image credit: Obsidian)

Release date: TBC 2024
Platform(s): Xbox Series X, PC
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios

Below, you'll find our full coverage from the interview with the Obsidian Entertainment team, including breakdowns on specific elements of the game like combat and player choice - two key themes that have us pumped for this RPG. Although there's still no concrete release date, it's already looking to be one to watch from the Xbox Game Studios' group. 

Read on to learn more about Avowed straight from the developers' mouth, and more musings on this highly-anticipated 2024 RPG. 


The RPG to pay attention to in 2024

Avowed

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

Avowed's commitment to ubiquitous player choice could make it 2024's standout RPG: "At Obsidian, it's your world, your way, right?"

We sat down with game director Carrie Patel and gameplay director Gabe Paramo to talk about how combat, questing, and more aims put you at the heart of everything.

Avowed is set in Pillars of Eternity's world, but Obsidian says you don't need to have played its older CRPG

Avowed is set in Pillars of Eternity's world, but Obsidian says you don't need to have played its older CRPG

It draws elements like spells and lore, but it won't be impenetrable. 


A focus on player choice and consequence

Avowed

(Image credit: Obsidian)

Avowed's focus on choice and consequence means "most players won't discover 100% of what you've built for them", but Obsidian wouldn't have it any other way

Obsidian Entertainment has focused on putting as much choice as it can in this RPG, meaning you definitely won't see everything in it.


Combat that builds upon Skyrim's foundations

Avowed new screenshot xbox series x

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

Avowed takes Skyrim's approach to combat and evolves it, allowing players to "build the character they want to play who fights the way they want to fight"

Skyrim's a strong foundation, so Avowed's combat could be one to look out for. 


Sam Loveridge
Global Editor-in-Chief, 12DOVE

Sam Loveridge is the Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar, and joined the team in August 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she's also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for a decade, and for GamesRadar, she's in charge of the site's overall direction, managing the team, and making sure it's the best it can be. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-world RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. She plays across all platforms, and specializes in titles like Pokemon, Assassin's Creed, The Sims, and more. Basically, she loves all games that aren't sports or fighting titles! In her spare time, Sam likes to live like Stardew Valley by cooking and baking, growing vegetables, and enjoying life in the countryside.