There is a certain allure when it comes to exploring the expansive underground locations of video games. Avowed will likely feature such locations, as it has become incredibly popular for open-world games to do so in recent years. Elden Ring serves as one of gaming's best examples of this, encapsulating the idea to near perfection.
But it isn't enough that Avowed should have locations whose main trait is that they are below the ground. Happening upon an ancient and massive underground city or expansive network of caves provides a feeling that few other locations can. Avowed should aim to dig as deep into its world as Elden Ring did to recreate that feeling.
Avowed's Underground Already Has Potential
When it comes to both the real world and the fantasy genre, anything below the ground is usually interpreted as "ancient" by default. This is typically where the appeal of exploring underground locations comes from. It's not just the idea of not being able to see the sky, but that the player is exploring something incredibly ancient and unexplored. There are often secrets both in terms of story elements and physical rewards players can reap found in the walls of these decrepit locations. It puts the entirety of the world into perspective and makes the player ask just how old they think it might be. Avowed's release date is up in the air, however, so there might be more secrets to unveil in time.
As many may know, Avowed takes place in the Pillars of Eternity universe, of which there are two games. The reason this is relevant is that it sets a precedent as to what underground content can look like in Avowed. For example, one of the most iconic underground locations in Pillars of Eternity is the Caed Nua dungeon. In it, the player can find a massive buried statue carved out of living adra stones that towers over even buildings. While the player does later learn the reason for its existence, that's not what's important. What's important is the ability to awe the player with such locations and findings.
As mentioned before, Elden Ring does this very well. Its underground locations are incredibly expansive, often appearing no different to the over world. Any player who has traveled down a magic elevator likely understands the feeling of depth they provide. Despite being underground, the architecture of Elden Ring's city of Nokron is no less grand and brimming with secrets to find and enemies to battle. These locations also often held some of the best and rarest items in the game, which provided the underground with a functional purpose as well. As such, Avowed should take a page out of Elden Ring in that regard.
Obsidian Entertainment likely understands this sentiment, as shown by Avowed's teaser trailer. In it, the camera follows a flaming arrow that eventually drops into a ravine. Deeper into this ravine, city-like structures are shown, with bridges and massive buildings being the most prominent. The very end of the trailer teases a roaring creature whose footsteps are enough to send shock waves throughout the area. This alone suggests that Avowed and its narrative will take place underground, with the player treading ancient underground cities in search of something.
While Avowed's release date has yet to be confirmed, it is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated open-world games. It will likely bring a fresh perspective to the genre and fill in a niche that only The Elder Scrolls franchise has managed to fulfill. Hopefully, its underground locations follow this trend, digging deep into the world of Avowed.
Avowed is currently in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.