Enchanting World of Avowed: A Spiritual Successor to Morrowind

Avowed may not revolutionize the RPG genre, but it certainly captures the essence of exploration that fans adore. It evokes the spirit of Morrowind, an iconic RPG that set the standard for immersive worlds long before today's benchmarks. In Morrowind, every element of the environment—from rocks to oceans—promised adventure. Obsidian Entertainment has embraced this challenge, recreating that sense of discovery with remarkable success in Avowed.

The World of Pillars of Eternity

Image: x.com

Set within the Pillars of Eternity universe, Avowed welcomes players into a richly detailed world, accessible even to newcomers. While prior knowledge of the series can deepen your experience, the game's narrative unfolds seamlessly through in-game dialogue and contextual cues.

The storyline follows an emissary, chosen by the Emperor of Aedyr, dispatched to the Living Lands to probe a mysterious fungal plague that corrupts souls and incites madness. In this universe, souls cycle through life, death, and rebirth. The protagonist, touched by a deity at birth (though which remains a mystery), bears unique fungal or plant-like growths on their head, eliciting both awe and fear.

A Chaotic Welcome to Paradise

Image: x.com

Upon arriving in the Living Lands, the protagonist faces a tumultuous welcome as their ship is assaulted by deranged Aedyran guards. Landing in the ironically named port city of Paradise, players encounter chaos, absent officials, and sealed gates—a classic RPG setup.

Exploring the world soon reveals the joy of uncovering hidden treasures. My initial exploration led me to dive into the sea near the port, discovering sunken riches while narrowly avoiding drowning. From there, I stumbled upon a smugglers' camp, eavesdropped on their schemes, and narrowly escaped detection. Back in the port, I eagerly accepted quests and explored every corner.

Treasures Beneath Every Stone

Image: x.com

One unforgettable moment involved breaking into a locked house, plundering its contents, and then scaling scaffolding to reach a lighthouse. There, I found a treasure map, rare yellow-tier boots with a unique backstory, and stunning vistas. As night fell, luminescent mushrooms illuminated new paths and secrets.

The game world is brimming with surprises. Beneath the lighthouse, a chest hidden under spiderwebs in the sewers awaited discovery. Nearby, coins nestled in a precarious nest on beams. On a cliff's edge, a backpack dangled, filled with goodies, while below, a skeleton basked in the sun. Even throwing an ice grenade into the water to freeze it temporarily allowed me to retrieve submerged loot.

Stories Waiting to Be Discovered

Image: x.com

These moments of discovery are plentiful. Supplies appeared unexpectedly on rooftops, behind waterfalls, and atop hills, leading to new quests, rare relics, and intriguing scenarios. While scavenging in the slums, I broke into a shack and met a blind man and his grieving wife, threatened by mercenaries. In another instance, I helped a nobleman retrieve a lost ring from a sewer, only to keep it for its health regeneration boost.

Another poignant encounter involved finding two lovers who had died together, near a lift leading to the northern outskirts where guards inspected a dead smuggler. Following the trail, I fought through a reptilian camp and battled a formidable giant, testing my combat skills and gear.

Endless Possibilities and Exploration

Image: x.com

In just eight hours, I experienced countless adventures without touching the main questline or repetitive grinding. My focus was on exploring, experimenting with different character builds, and understanding item interactions. Whether wielding a shield and staff or donning heavy armor and melee weapons, each choice unveiled new possibilities.

With many questions still unanswered and numerous systems left to explore, my journey in Avowed is far from over. The path ahead is filled with hidden chests, untold stories, and forgotten treasures. Avowed offers an endless sequence of discoveries, reminding us why RPGs remain one of gaming's most captivating genres.