Fans ofObsidian Entertainmentmight be surprised to learn that its new gameAvowedwill become a first-person action title. After all, this move directly positions them against games such as Bethesda’sTheElder Scrollsseries, known for its first-person fantasy gameplay. Given Obsidian’s rep for acclaimed titles such asPillars of Eternity, it seems Obsidian might give players a more narrative-intensive take on the FPS fantasy genre.
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As such, shouldAvowedtake some elements from Bethesda’s acclaimedTheElder ScrollstitleSkyrim? How couldSkyriminfluenceAvowed? If so, just what could Obsidian Entertainment learn from Bethesda’s FPS fantasy hit? Moreover, just which elements ofSkyrimshouldAvowedleave alone?
10Adapt: Big Bosses
Thanks to dragons,Skyrimhas become one of the most exciting FPS games out there. After all, it’s not everyday people can fight dragons and, in future patches, actually ride them! Unfortunately, there’s much to be desired with how dragon battles work inSkyrim.
Devs ofAvowedwould hopefully make engaging and challenging boss battles. Moreover, given how rumors state thatAvowedtakes place in thePillars of Eternityuniverse, boss battles could be just as thrilling as in the latter game. For instance, some DLCs ofPillars of Eternity 2actually added “mega bosses” to the game geared towardshigh-level parties and skills. Seeing these monsters inAvowedin first-person could make for very engaging experiences.
9Don’t Get: Boring Companions
Returning toSkyrimare companions — various individuals players can take with them through quests and other adventures. A lot of them come with different backgrounds, spicing up the player’s experience. Unfortunately, one common complaint players have over companions inSkyrimare their lack of personalities. There’s not much investment to be had inhaving these companions around, which motivates players to just make them into meat shields.
InAvowed, Obsidian Entertainment would hopefully introduce companions with interesting storylines and backgrounds. Ideally, companions should have personal goals and motivations the player may or may not choose to pursue. Moreover, if these choices have consequences, players can hopefully have interesting interactions with their companions there.
8Adapt: Intricate Customization
One thing players love aboutSkyrimwould be its immense character customization options. Thanks to its intricate options, players can attempt to make characters that look like themselves in real life. Interestingly, there’s also the option for players to make characters look like whoever they want to be — greatly improving immersion.
Interestingly,Avowedrumors do pointtowards an extremely intricate character creation system. Hopefully, today’s technology would helpAvowedgive players the opportunity to make very realistic characters fit for its setting.
7Don’t Get: Simplified Mechanics
Unfortunately,Skyrim’sreliance on a more open experience did fractureSkyrimin terms of the gameplay department. For instance, players might find it extremely easy to navigate throughSkyrim’s leveling system. After all, using a skill repeatedly will eventually level up that skill. Moreover, there’s not much to worry about drinking, sleeping, or eating, potentially breaking immersion. Lastly, theoverabundance of good gearand money in the early game might make the rest ofSkyrim’s playthrough a breeze.
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Hopefully,Avowedwould avoid giving too much freedom to players that it ruins the potential appeal of gameplay. Like in other Obsidian titles, gamers should feel challenged enough by their current condition that they’re fully motivated to train and level up while the world tries to scale around them.
6Adapt: Meaningful Story
Despite what fans say aboutSkyrim’s overall story, one can’t deny that Bethesda did succeed in making quite the immersive game. Moreover, fans can pour hours into the world and always get something new. For instance,lore enthusiasts can spend hoursreading through books and learn more about Skyrim. Moreover, others can pursue the main quest to tackle the life of the Dragonborn or even just do side quests to immerse in the lives of other NPCs in the game.
One might saySkyrim’s story is the story of both its main quests and its side quests. And if looked at this regard,Skyrimdoes succeed in delivering an engaging experience.Avowedwould hopefully be able to deliver just as much as a compelling story, especially since Obsidian Entertainment did deliver withPillars of Eternity.
5Don’t Get: Railroading Choices
Unfortunately, despite the overwhelmingly-open gameplay ofSkyrim, not much of what players do directly affect the plot. For instance, inMorrowind, players actually have the option to kill all NPCs — including essential ones. As such, killing the wrong person can cut the main plot short and leave players to their own devices. Whereas inSkyrim, players will always be painted as the hero regardless of the choices they make.
Granted, others stick toSkyrimfor its side quests and open-world options. However, the idea of players making a lawless rogue who ends up saving the world does seem to be anticlimactic. Hopefully,Avowedwill ensure players see how their choices impact even the major narrative.
4Adapt: Engaging Premise
Whereas otherTESgames give players the freedom to explore early on,Skyrimditches this with a rather fast-paced premise. Players take on the role of a prisoner about to be executed if it weren’t for a dragon attack. Thing is, people have long thought that dragons are extinct - and their return heralds nothing but disaster.
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Moreover, players will soon figure out that they’re the legendary Dragonborn, and their existence has ties to both the return of dragons and abrewing civil warin Skyrim. Players have conflicting opinions about the game’s approach to its story. However, one can’t deny that this premise does attract players into the game. Hopefully,Avowedwill also have an interesting story hook.
3Don’t Get: Lack Of Follow-Through
Unlike inMorrowind,SkyrimandObliviondon’t allow players to kill major NPCs and characters tagged “essential.” As such, in the latter games, players can pretty much steal from and kill most NPCs that exist in the game without any repercussions. Unfortunately, this concept removes the idea of consequences for players.
Moreover, this lack of follow-through extends through the major plot ofSkyrim. For instance, what players will soon find out is that the aforementioned dragon plot almost has nothing to do with any of the civil war’s parties. Moreover, the aforementioned civil war itself seems to be reduced with numerous side quests. Hopefully,Avowedwill follow-throughwith its story hooksand lead players to satisfying resolutions.
2Adapt: Entertaining Side Quests
Regardless of what players say aboutSkyrim’s main quest, the game does have entertaining side quests. And again, while a lot ofSkyrim’s quests tend to be fetch-quests or kill-X quests,Skyrimdoes have gems in the side-quests department.
For instance, one side quest deals with various ghosts. Meanwhile, another quest will have players “rebuilding” a Daedric gauntlet with four rings — alluding to the Daedric foes faced inOblivion. Moreover, those up for a fun quest has a situation where a guy challenges the player to a drinking contest where everything goes according to plan. These side quests might seem simplistic, but they all contribute towards the worldbuilding ofSkyrim. Devs will hopefully use side quests to build an immersive world inAvowed.
1Don’t Get: Delaying The Main Quest
One of the hallmarks ofSkyrimas an open-world game is its rather unique lack of urgency. Like otherThe Elder Scrollstitles, the game doesn’t rush the player to finish the main quest. Rather, the game actively encourages players to go out and explore and become an active part of their world. As such,Skyrimwins in terms of immersion. However, where it fails in this department is its lack of immersing the players through the urgency of its main quest.
Devs ofAvowedwould hopefully put just as much focus on the main quest as it does with its side quests. If rumors are true thatAvowedwill be open-world, the player’s time outside the main quest could hopefully make an impact to the overall narrative.
