Summary
Ahead of its release,Avowed’s magic combat has shined significantly brighter than its melee, to the point that it would be understandable for there to be skepticism about whether its melee combat is even worth trying. While that might not seem like a fair assessment, in addition to the fact thatAvowed’s magic combathas long looked flashy and fun, very rarely is the melee combat in any first-person RPG satisfying of efficient, as it often lacks the impact and weight necessary to outshine other playstyles that may be present in a game.
As it turns out,Avowed’s melee combat truly is a rare and refreshing sight among first-person RPGs. It’s entirely possible for players to not get much out ofAvowed’s melee combat if they don’t take advantage of everything that is made available to them, to the point that playing melee inAvowedcan feel dull, boring, and monotonous. However, should players utilize every option and mechanic that is available to them withAvowed’s melee combat, they should find a close-quarters combat system that is more weighty, responsive, and filled with more impact than most first-person RPGs possess in their own melee combat.
Avowed’s Melee Combat Is a Rare and Refreshing Sight Among First-Person RPGs
Avowed’s Meleel Combat Is Weighty, Responsive, and Impactful
Melee combat infirst-person RPGshas a tendency to feel very floaty and detached, leaving a lot to be desired in the overall feel of it. Each swing of a sword or an axe generally feels like it’s phasing right through an enemy, leaving any significant damage dealt left up to the imagination of the player or the enemy’s visible health bar. This is largely due to RPGs prioritizing the impact that a melee weapon’s stats have on enemies rather than translating that impact into something players can actually feel.
The Elder Scrolls,Fallout, and evenPreyfeature melee that lacks the impact of a dedicated action game because they focus more on stat-driven damage and open-world design.
InAvowed, on the other hand, melee combat feels like it packs a punch, with an appropriate and noticeable hitstop each time a weapon lands a blow. This is, of course, a subjective point of view at the end of the day, as some players may still findAvowed’s melee combatto feel a bit punier than it should. However, it’s difficult to argue thatAvoweddoes implement some key elements into its melee combat that makes it better than most first-person RPGs, with an impact that is not only felt in its reliance on hitstop to reflect that impact, but also heard as each strike with a melee weapon pierces the exterior of an enemy.
Avowed’s Melee Combat Requires Deliberation and Intentionality
Until players get to the later stages of the game inAvowed, melee combat requires more strategy than most other first-person RPGs. Initially, enemies inAvowedcan prove to be quite a challenge, especially if players aren’t taking the appropriate measures to ensure their gear is up-to-date with each region’s requirements. This, in addition to the fact thatAvowed’s enemiesplay very aggressively, means players can’t just run into a fight swinging their sword around mindlessly. Instead, they need to be as deliberate and intentional as possible to ensure they not only survive, but also that they maintain their stamina levels in order to not leave themselves exposed to enemy attacks.
It’s difficult to argue thatAvoweddoes implement some key elements into its melee combat that makes it better than most first-person RPGs, with an impact that is not only felt in its reliance on hitstop to reflect that impact, but also heard as each strike with a melee weapon pierces the exterior of an enemy.
Avowed’s approach to melee combat effectively goes against the grain when it comes to first-person RPGs, offering a system that rewards deliberation with weighty, satisfying impact. While some players may still gravitate toward the flashier magic combat inAvowed, those who invest in mastering the game’s melee mechanics should find a level of responsiveness and depth that few first-person RPGs possess. It may not completely reinvent the wheel, but it does prove that first-personRPGs can deliver melee combatthat feels just as rewarding and engaging as any other playstyle.
