News Avowed (by Obsidian) - announced for XO/XSX/PC , set in Eora (PoE universe)
- Thread starter prudis
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Well, I like both isometric RtwP and first person RPGs. Hope this turns out well (and is on Steam)!
I don't really understand the adverseness to this being first-person (and similar sentiment towards Cyberpunk 2077). I'd love another RPG like Pillars of Eternity, and I hope Obsidian has an opportunity to make something like it again, but they're clearly trying to do something different.
I mean RPGs like The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, Deus Ex, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and Ultima Underworld are fantastic. They're first-person because it's a good fit when you're trying to make an immersive simulation of a world. And they're single-character largely for this reason as well. Some do offer a third-person optional mode, but it comes across as more of an after-thought (The Elder Scrolls, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines). These are games where you're looking around at small details on tables and shelves, interacting with small objects, and looking around in small environments. Not the strengths of a third-person camera.
As for a behind-the-character third-person camera? Personally I don't think this type of camera is a great choice in general. I've already briefly discussed the strengths of a first-person camera. An isometric or slightly different top-down camera is great for party-based RPGs, turn-based combat systems, RTwP combat systems, etc. But a behind-the-character third-person camera? You can admire character animations and your equipment. It works pretty well for a Souls-like melee system. It's probably feels a lot better for people that use controllers. I suspect the last one is why it's so popular on consoles. That's not to say you can't have incredible RPGs with this type of camera. Gothic, Dark Souls, The Witcher, and many more RPGs say otherwise. I just don't think it's the best choice generally, and less so for the type of RPG that Avowed appears to be. Hopefully we'll get more details soon though.
I mean RPGs like The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, Deus Ex, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and Ultima Underworld are fantastic. They're first-person because it's a good fit when you're trying to make an immersive simulation of a world. And they're single-character largely for this reason as well. Some do offer a third-person optional mode, but it comes across as more of an after-thought (The Elder Scrolls, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines). These are games where you're looking around at small details on tables and shelves, interacting with small objects, and looking around in small environments. Not the strengths of a third-person camera.
As for a behind-the-character third-person camera? Personally I don't think this type of camera is a great choice in general. I've already briefly discussed the strengths of a first-person camera. An isometric or slightly different top-down camera is great for party-based RPGs, turn-based combat systems, RTwP combat systems, etc. But a behind-the-character third-person camera? You can admire character animations and your equipment. It works pretty well for a Souls-like melee system. It's probably feels a lot better for people that use controllers. I suspect the last one is why it's so popular on consoles. That's not to say you can't have incredible RPGs with this type of camera. Gothic, Dark Souls, The Witcher, and many more RPGs say otherwise. I just don't think it's the best choice generally, and less so for the type of RPG that Avowed appears to be. Hopefully we'll get more details soon though.
I don't know what to tell you. I just don't enjoy first person. I've been playing games my entire life, and being told "first person is actually better because x" has never made me see the light. I just prefer every other possible camera angle, and will even choose janky third-person afterthought options 100% of the time.
I have to hope they attempt to go the first person immersive sim route rather than the Elder Scrolls/Fallout route with this.
I love the Deus Ex games and not because of their combat generally. So here's hoping this plays more like the latter than the fomer. I really like the PoE world too.
I love the Deus Ex games and not because of their combat generally. So here's hoping this plays more like the latter than the fomer. I really like the PoE world too.
While the trailer didn't really show us much, I think this is definitely going to be more like an Elder Scrolls game.
In terms of games in that style, Obsidian has had one hit (New Vegas) and a miss (The Outer Worlds) so really this could go either way. I haven't played Pillars of Eternity so I don't know what that world is like, but people have heaped praise on it so maybe it has some good foundations.
That said, PoE is a game that's in a completely different style to Skyrim et al, so how are fans of PoE reacting to this?
In terms of games in that style, Obsidian has had one hit (New Vegas) and a miss (The Outer Worlds) so really this could go either way. I haven't played Pillars of Eternity so I don't know what that world is like, but people have heaped praise on it so maybe it has some good foundations.
That said, PoE is a game that's in a completely different style to Skyrim et al, so how are fans of PoE reacting to this?
Dandy Sad to hear that you can't enjoy FPSs, I understand that immersion is different for everyone, for me I kind of wish all RPGs were FPS haha. I don't want Elder Scrolls to be the only huge open RPGs we get in first person, so I'm very hyped for this just for the potential of what it could be.
One problem with the first person perspective is that it can make some people sick.
But I must admit that I personally prefer FPP to third person.
But I must admit that I personally prefer FPP to third person.
I'm probably the biggest fan of PoE on this board, and I'm happy with it. After PoE2 not selling too well (a massive shame, it's such a fantastic game) there was a real chance that it would be the last we see of the setting. Also, they didn't call this "PoE3" or anything like that.
The Pillars of Eternity games are 2 of my favourite titles in recent years, so it makes the switch to a first-person camera all the more disappointing to me. I actually like Elder Scrolls games(they let me change the camera angle!) so a game like TES set in Eora would potentially be exciting to me, though I think I would still prefer PoE3 over it.
At least Larian isn't making a first person RPG... Yet.
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I'm using immersive simulation pretty loosely to mean descendants of Ultima Underworld, which include The Elder Scrolls. Though perhaps The Elder Scrolls should be a branch in this genre tree. I'm a fan of using genre branching for naming purposes.
That being said, I think this will be a lot closer to The Elder Scrolls than say Arx Fatalis. It all depends on what kind of Scrolls-like we're getting. Morrowind is arguably one of the best 3D RPGs, but everything Bethesda did after this was very disappointing (to me). And Fallout: New Vegas is easily one of the best ones after Morrowind. I think Obsidian has a good opportunity here to make something great. My main concern is how far they'll cater to a mainstream audience.
The Living Lands?! Please be true!
I made my character from the Living Lands. They can be very creative in a place like this.
Only the heartiest of explorers would dare take the long, dangerous trek to the Living Lands. While there is no denying its beauty - the diversity of plant life alone is an herbologistās dream - the inherent risk in blithely trekking through these pristine hills is more than most should undertake.
Let me take a moment to tell you about the land itself - rolling hills, greenery, and sun. The whole area feels like a succession of hills and valleys, each with its own ecosystem. While that declaration is a tad extreme, it can almost be said to be true. The combination of sun, geographical location, proximity to fresh water, valley depth, and the existence of hot springs have given the Living Lands a wide breadth of flora and fauna. Walk down a hillside into a valley and you will find lush, verdant hills. Climb the next rise and you might see nothing but rock and boiling mineral springs.
And the creatures! In my travels, I've seen it all and this place never ceases to amaze me!
Trolls
I will never forget my encounter with the trolls of the Living Lands. I had just narrowly avoided being consumed by a giant plant (more on that later) and was running as fast as I could to get away from it. I broke the crest of the hill and the valley below was wide, green, wet, and covered with low, thick-branched trees. Vines grew everywhere! Between the trees, across the tops of them, down to the ground - it as a mess of vine and green. Cautiously, I worked my way down toward the basin, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. And it's a good thing I did so! I noticed not all the trees appeared to be trees. I froze, dropping to the ground in an effort to minimize my appearance. One of the trees moved, lumbering slowly away from the cluster. It's then that I realized it was a troll, stepping out from among the group of trees it had been resting against. With a few more steps, I would have walked right into their home! The camouflage these trolls exhibited far exceed any I had ever seen before. I hope to return again in the future and observe them more.
Insects
While I have never seen them, I have read reports of giant insects in the Living Lands. Centipedes, flies, mosquitoes, and hornets all ten times the size you would see them elsewhere! Imagine making camp - you've just gotten everything set up. There's a nice fire going next to your shelter. Something is gently simmering in the cooking pot. You sit down, finally feeling like you can relax after a trying day. You feel a tickling at your feet, insistent and prolonged. Reaching down to brush whatever it is away, your hand comes in contact with something hard, long, and flexible winding its way around your boot. You look down to see a centipede the size of your arm casually making its way over your feet, toward the far side of your camp. You would get out of that camp, wouldn't you? That's exactly what my friend did when he realized he had started his fire over a centipede nest.
Plants
And lest we forget - do not let your guard down around the plants! I had discovered a wonderful collection of giant flowers. They were bright pink and grew in a circle around a central stalk. What an aroma! I lack the words to describe how delectable it was. Sweet, fruity, and light with just a hint of something tangy. Looking closer, I saw some berries growing on the stalk in the center of the flowers. Well, I just had to have them! So I started pushing my way through the flowers. Then the vines growing around the base of the plant began to twitch and the blooms turned toward me. It was at that moment I saw the blooms weren't actually flowers, but hinged jaws! I had been fooled by its camouflage! I quickly retreated, pushing my way back out - just in time. The blooms slammed shut. If I had still been standing there, trying in vain to reach the berries, I wouldn't be writing this book today.
I made my character from the Living Lands. They can be very creative in a place like this.
Only the heartiest of explorers would dare take the long, dangerous trek to the Living Lands. While there is no denying its beauty - the diversity of plant life alone is an herbologistās dream - the inherent risk in blithely trekking through these pristine hills is more than most should undertake.
Let me take a moment to tell you about the land itself - rolling hills, greenery, and sun. The whole area feels like a succession of hills and valleys, each with its own ecosystem. While that declaration is a tad extreme, it can almost be said to be true. The combination of sun, geographical location, proximity to fresh water, valley depth, and the existence of hot springs have given the Living Lands a wide breadth of flora and fauna. Walk down a hillside into a valley and you will find lush, verdant hills. Climb the next rise and you might see nothing but rock and boiling mineral springs.
And the creatures! In my travels, I've seen it all and this place never ceases to amaze me!
Trolls
I will never forget my encounter with the trolls of the Living Lands. I had just narrowly avoided being consumed by a giant plant (more on that later) and was running as fast as I could to get away from it. I broke the crest of the hill and the valley below was wide, green, wet, and covered with low, thick-branched trees. Vines grew everywhere! Between the trees, across the tops of them, down to the ground - it as a mess of vine and green. Cautiously, I worked my way down toward the basin, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. And it's a good thing I did so! I noticed not all the trees appeared to be trees. I froze, dropping to the ground in an effort to minimize my appearance. One of the trees moved, lumbering slowly away from the cluster. It's then that I realized it was a troll, stepping out from among the group of trees it had been resting against. With a few more steps, I would have walked right into their home! The camouflage these trolls exhibited far exceed any I had ever seen before. I hope to return again in the future and observe them more.
Insects
While I have never seen them, I have read reports of giant insects in the Living Lands. Centipedes, flies, mosquitoes, and hornets all ten times the size you would see them elsewhere! Imagine making camp - you've just gotten everything set up. There's a nice fire going next to your shelter. Something is gently simmering in the cooking pot. You sit down, finally feeling like you can relax after a trying day. You feel a tickling at your feet, insistent and prolonged. Reaching down to brush whatever it is away, your hand comes in contact with something hard, long, and flexible winding its way around your boot. You look down to see a centipede the size of your arm casually making its way over your feet, toward the far side of your camp. You would get out of that camp, wouldn't you? That's exactly what my friend did when he realized he had started his fire over a centipede nest.
Plants
And lest we forget - do not let your guard down around the plants! I had discovered a wonderful collection of giant flowers. They were bright pink and grew in a circle around a central stalk. What an aroma! I lack the words to describe how delectable it was. Sweet, fruity, and light with just a hint of something tangy. Looking closer, I saw some berries growing on the stalk in the center of the flowers. Well, I just had to have them! So I started pushing my way through the flowers. Then the vines growing around the base of the plant began to twitch and the blooms turned toward me. It was at that moment I saw the blooms weren't actually flowers, but hinged jaws! I had been fooled by its camouflage! I quickly retreated, pushing my way back out - just in time. The blooms slammed shut. If I had still been standing there, trying in vain to reach the berries, I wouldn't be writing this book today.
I'm so fucking hyped for this. After reflecting on it, it's pretty much my most wanted game now.