In the near future, Obsidian Entertainment will release its next major RPG title:Avowed. Appearing as a condensed take onThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim,Avowedwill be a first-person action RPG set in the same universe asPillars of Eternity. Players will wield powerful spells and weapons as they navigate the world of Eora in their new perspective, encountering many colorful inhabitants and vocations along the way. It sounds like the game’s scope is more humble compared to Obsidian’s other upcoming RPGThe Outer Worlds 2, but it could still scratch the fantasy RPG itch for many players.
Exactly whenAvowedwill be released is currently unannounced, but it has been set for a 2024 window. Its last trailer looked to be shaping up nicely after several years of quiet development, and it is currently the largest first-party Xbox title known to be shipping next year. Depending on how the release calendar shakes out, a lot could be riding onAvowed, not just for Microsoft but also the big-budget fantasy RPG space in general.Avowedis approaching asimilar situation toThe Witcher 3’s launchwhere it can release in a period without much direct competition, and it needs to take advantage of that.
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Many RPGs Are Coming, But They Won’t Hit In 2024
There are plenty of notable fantasy RPGs lining the horizon, ranging from a new slate ofWitchertitles and Japanese efforts likeDragon Quest 12andPersona 6to long-standing projects like the newFable,Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, and evenThe Elder Scrolls 6. However, out of all of them, the only major fantasy RPGs that are currently locked in for 2024 releases are Atlus’Metaphor: ReFantazioandAvowed. It’s unclear which, if any, other AAA fantasy RPGs will join them.
Development time for games like these is growing longer, and it’s becoming more difficult to estimate when such titles will be released. Players did just get major first-person science fiction RPG drops in the form ofStarfieldandCyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty expansion, but nothing inAvowed’s camp has come out recently.Dragon’s Dogma 2could land in 2024, as well as the rumored nextMonster Hunterinstallment, but neither is confirmed right now. A shortage of titles likeAvowedis evident across the next year of gaming, so Obsidian can’t let this opportunity slip away.
Avowed Can Dominate Modern Fantasy RPG Discussion
Releasing with little direct competition would giveAvoweda publicity boost, emphasizing its sales and reputation among players. Setting aside the homageStarfieldpays toSkyrim’s Shouts, there hasn’t been a bigSkyrimcompetitor for quite some time, as evenThe Elder Scrolls Onlinecouldn’t top its frequently re-released predecessor.Avowedcould actually compete with its inspirationSkyrimif given room to breathe, and it may even become a real contender in discussions about the bestElder Scrolls-style game if its strengths stand out.
With the road to success already paved, it’s up toAvowedto use the chance it’s been given. Polishing upSkyrim’s mechanics and offering an interesting world with solid gameplay variety would ensure it picks up a large and devoted community, making it an instant classic in the process. IfAvowedcan live up to its full potential, Obsidian Entertainment could reclaim its reputation as one of the West’s best RPG studios, andElder Scrollsfans wouldn’t have to wait forTES6for a true successor to the phenomenon that wasSkyrim.
Avowedis due out in 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
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