The Power Play: Unleashing the Divine in Avowed Delivers a Thrilling Experience Beyond Pillars of Eternity

Highlights

Avowed's recent trailer has fans worried that the revered race of Godlike won't have the same wow factor as in Pillars of Eternity due to the perspective change.

Avowed takes the story of Pillars of Eternity to the enchanting world of Eora, where various races like Aumaua, Orlans, and Godlike coexist. However, the transition to a first-person perspective in Avowed presents a unique artistic challenge due to the varying sizes of the races and the inability to fully admire the distinctive mutant-like characteristics of the Godlike.

Every so often, a fresh source of intrigue emerges from the conventional fantasy races of Elves, Goblins, and Dwarfs. Whether it presents itself as subtle variations in appearance or entirely new species, the imaginative prowess of game writers and developers shines through in such instances. Recent notable examples include the formidable Khajiit in Skyrim and the iconic Godlike in Pillars of Eternity, which contributed to the game's success. However, concerns among fans have arisen with the release of Avowed's recent trailer, as they worry that the revered race may not have the same impact it had in Pillars of Eternity.

Avowed carries on the epic storyline of the Pillars of Eternity saga in the fantastical realm of Eora, though fans remain uncertain about where the game fits into the canonical timeline. Eora is home to various races, encompassing the typical fantasy archetypes of Dwarfs, Elves, and Humans, as well as the distinctive Aumaua, Orlans, and Godlike. The Godlike, created through a divine mutation indirectly caused by Animancy, are particularly captivating. Animancy stems from the Engwithans, an extinct ancient civilization of Kith who aimed to fashion their own deities upon realizing the absence of gods. Each deity they created embodied sacred ideals obtained through sacrificing the souls of their people, and the Godlike subrace of Kith originates from these divine beings.

Avowed's Perspective Shift Removes Some of the Godlike's Pizzazz

The Godlike, a key element in the Pillars of Eternity games, can originate from any Kith in Eora and are marked by either blessings or curses bestowed upon them by the gods themselves when touched in the womb, igniting a unique spark within them. These individuals possess distinctive traits that separate them from others of their race, taking after their divine creators in appearance. For example, Death Godlikes exhibit mutated heads adorned with growths, giving rise to an ominous, otherworldly countenance that incites fear and loathing among their own kind. However, not all Godlikes are met with such hostility and aversion, as evidenced by Tekehu, a Marine Godlike favored by the god Ondra.

In Avowed, players assume the roles of either Elves or Humans, serving as envoys of the Aedry Empire, dispatched to the remote region known as the Living Lands with the objective of investigating a plague outbreak. Diverging from the common class-based systems found in many contemporary RPGs such as Diablo 4, Avowed introduces an ability-based approach. As characters advance, they unlock various ability trees, affording fans considerable flexibility in dictating their preferred play style.

Avowed's shift to a first-person perspective changes the way players interact with characters, departing from the familiar top-down view. This decision aligns the game more closely with The Outer Worlds in terms of feel. However, this adoption of a new perspective presents challenges for Avowed's beloved aesthetic, which was a key factor in its initial popularity. In particular, the diverse sizes of races in the Aedry Empire, such as Elves and Humans, may prove difficult to convey effectively in a first-person view.

Furthermore, players who enjoyed playing as the Godlike class in Pillars of Eternity may feel disappointed, as Avowed only features Elves and Humans at launch. This omission deprives players of the unique aesthetic experience the Godlike offered. While it's possible that the Godlike race may be introduced later in the game, the change in perspective diminishes the impact of their distinct appearance. This is especially true in light of games like Baldur's Gate 3, which have set higher standards for character design in RPGs. Ultimately, the shift in perspective complicates Avowed's ability to effectively showcase the visually striking features of the Godlike race.

Avowed releases in 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.