Summary
Avowedis the next ambitious RPG from developer Obsidian Entertainment, continuing the studio’s tradition of crafting detailed open-world experiences. As the developer responsible forFallout: New Vegas, Obsidian is taking an approach toAvowedthat many fans of the belovedFalloutentry will be pleased to learn about.
Obsidian has made a name for itself as a developer that builds wonderfully immersive worlds, and this was brought to an apex with the likes ofNew Vegas.New Vegasis a franchise favorite for many who enjoy theFalloutseries, with many hoping a sequel will someday become a reality. The release of 2019’sOuter Worldsbrought another great Obsidian RPG to life, and it looks like the studio is gearing up to do so again withAvowed. Although the game doesn’t have a set release date, it’s believed to launch sometime later this year.Avowedfeatures many classic RPG elements, but the attention to dialogue could be its best feature.
Avowed Seems to Take New Vegas' Approach to Dialogue
New Vegasis aunique entry in theFalloutfranchise, and one of the most beloved features of the game is its in-depth dialogue trees. When looking at theFalloutfranchise,New Vegasis arguably one of the strongest when it comes to dialogue.Fallout 4has its own unique qualities that make it special, but its dialogue was a big step back for the franchise. InNew Vegas,a player’s dialogue choice can really change the tone of a conversation, andAvowedis setting out to do the exact same thing with its in-game interactions.
Dialogue Trees Are a Major Feature of Avowed
Avowedis embracing the same approach to dialogue that madeNew VegasandThe Outer Worldsso much fun. Based on what dialogue option a player chooses, the tone of a conversation can completely change. Skill checks in conversations and specific dialogue choices will actually have an important impact on the overall story.Avowedbeing based in the world ofObsidian’sPillars of Eternityalready gives it a high bar to reach, and embracing in-depth dialogue will help the game be on the same level.
Not only does a detailed dialogue tree offer diversity in a conversation, but it also allows players to dive deeper into the roles and personalities they have crafted for their characters. Well-made dialogue trees bring immersion to a greater level, and with immersion being the heart of any solid RPG,Avowed’s dialogue approach is an exciting prospect, especially since there are such great examples of the developer doing it well in the past.Avowedis making some changes to RPG elements, like how it approaches exploration, but continuing its emphasis on the importance of dialogue is a good sign.
A Player’s Choices Matter in Avowed
As of now, it’s being promised that aplayer’s choices will really matter inAvowed, which is something many RPGs want to accomplish. What a player says or does can impact entire communities or relationships with characters, and this is something Obsidian has managed to do really well. Crafting consequential dialogue options is no easy task, but Obsidian has become a studio that has a reputation for great interactions, especially after the success ofNew Vegas.
The wait forAvowed’s official release datecontinues, but the prospect of getting to experience another RPG that has diverse dialogue akin toNew Vegasis exciting. Only time will tell ifAvowedsucceeds at this dialogue approach, but Obsidian has the experience to make it work.
