In the near future, Obsidian Entertainment will release its next major RPG title: Avowed. Appearing as a condensed take on The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Avowed will be a first-person action RPG set in the same universe as Pillars 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 RPG The Outer Worlds 2, but it could still scratch the fantasy RPG itch for many players.
Exactly when Avowed will 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 on Avowed, not just for Microsoft but also the big-budget fantasy RPG space in general. Avowed is approaching a similar situation to The Witcher 3's launch where it can release in a period without much direct competition, and it needs to take advantage of that.
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 of Witcher titles and Japanese efforts like Dragon Quest 12 and Persona 6 to long-standing projects like the new Fable, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, and even The 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: ReFantazio and Avowed. 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 of Starfield and Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty expansion, but nothing in Avowed's camp has come out recently. Dragon's Dogma 2 could land in 2024, as well as the rumored next Monster Hunter installment, but neither is confirmed right now. A shortage of titles like Avowed is 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 give Avowed a publicity boost, emphasizing its sales and reputation among players. Setting aside the homage Starfield pays to Skyrim's Shouts, there hasn't been a big Skyrim competitor for quite some time, as even The Elder Scrolls Online couldn't top its frequently re-released predecessor. Avowed could actually compete with its inspiration Skyrim if given room to breathe, and it may even become a real contender in discussions about the best Elder Scrolls-style game if its strengths stand out.
With the road to success already paved, it's up to Avowed to use the chance it's been given. Polishing up Skyrim'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. If Avowed can live up to its full potential, Obsidian Entertainment could reclaim its reputation as one of the West's best RPG studios, and Elder Scrolls fans wouldn't have to wait for TES6 for a true successor to the phenomenon that was Skyrim.
Avowed is due out in 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.