Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment’s newest release, has just dropped, and gamers looking to sink their teeth into a big new RPG are excited to get going. However, if you don’t have the time or want to get to it later, now’s a great time to look back on all the major RPGs that have influenced Obsidian and their newest game.
Whether it’s the tropical environments of the JRPGS of yesteryear, the Western bombast of Bioware, or the brilliant writing of the gaming world’s most cerebral games,Avowedhas clear influences from a wide breadth of classics that deserve their time in the sun.
In the late 1990s, Square Enix (or Squaresoft back then) were on an legendary run, releasing critical and commercial hits in rapid succession. Not only that, but in the space of only a few years, Square went from producing the polygonal chibi charm ofFinal Fantasy 7to the comparatively stunningFinal Fantasy 10in just a few short years.
WhileFinal Fantasy 10(and particularly Titus’s legendary laugh andBlitzball in general) has had a mixed reputation over the years, its unique island setting inspired by Polynesia has had a clear impact on the art design ofAvowedthat plays in similar territory evoking pirates, palm trees, and the great ocean blue beyond.
For many, theMass Effectfranchise was the first big jump into the world of RPGs, welcoming enough to beginners but meaty enough for veterans to get their kicks. The Legendary Edition bundles all three games together, offering undoubtedly one of the best value propositions in gaming, delivering a truly unforgettable world and a list of someof the greatest RPG companionsever put to pixels.
Mass Effectwas also very famous for putting the majority of its narrative focus on companion characters, a trend that has only increased since its release, andAvowedclearly takes that mantle and develops it further, building upon the companion love of Western RPGs and making it a core part ofAvowed’s gameplay loop.
In the realm of legendary RPGs, there are plenty of great single-player considerations, but no RPG has ever had as much cultural clout, playerbase, or influence in fantasy in general than Blizzard’s venerable MMORPGWorld of Warcraftwhich has easily sucked away millions of hours of productive time from humanity as a whole.
Notably,World of Warcraftwas a tangible step away from the grimdark aesthetics that were beginning to become popular in fantasy in the late 90s and early 2000s. Instead, it embraced big colors, pulpy action, and a distinct cartoon-influenced art style, whichAvowedsimilarly picks up and runs with, crafting an exceptionally colorful world.
While theMass Effectgames are certainly Bioware’s most popular franchise, hardcore RPG fans are much more keen on theDragon Agefranchise and itsincredible roster of companions, even if each entry veers further and further away from the tabletop roots ofDragon Age’s beginnings.
Dragon Age: Originsis particularly beloved for its incredible writing, a richly written world, and unforgettable characters that populate the journey. In terms of creating a modern fantasy world that’s believable and influences the entire story,Dragon Age: Originsset the template thatPillars of Eternity, and by extensionAvowed, would follow in due time.
After Tolkien, a lot of fantasy delved into the traditional elves, dwaves, orcs, and humans in a largely Medieval setting. That’s fine in general, but fantasy is a very broad genre, and the potential for it to become something much greater and broader was waiting to be unleashed.
WhileMorrowindwasn’t the first fantasy story to get specifically weird with fantasy, it might be the most popular, focusing on truly alien architecture,strange and dangerous creatures, and entirely foreign cultural mores that rejuvenated the RPG with an adventurous and unfamiliar spirit.Avowedsimilarly seeks to embrace the alien in its world overrun with strange fungi, taking clear inspiration fromMorrowind.
In the world of classic RPGs, few have accumulated as esteemed a reputation as the indomitablePlanescape: Torment, a love-letter to the world of the Forgotten Realms and every great RPG of the 20th Century, while boldly looking forward to what the RPG could become in the 21st Century.
The game is famous for its incredible quality of writing, it’s intense philosophical ideas, and an unforgettable story that focused on companions. It’s impossible to escape the influence ofPlanescape: Tormentin the RPG world, andAvowedis no exception.
It’s ironic that Obsidian Entertainment’s crowning commercial and critical achievement came as a spin-off from another series that had to be pushed out in a criminally short amount of time under intense crunch. Yet,Fallout: New Vegasis remembered in modernity as one of the very best RPGs ever made, and its design philosophy has echoed on ever since release.
Whether Obsidian likes it or not,Fallout: New Vegasmust have an influence onAvowed, whether it comes from its first-person perspective, a focus on character companions, arogue’s gallery of tricky monsters, or a lovingly crafted world.Avowedmay struggle to reach the heights ofFallout: New Vegas, but most games would.
