Can Avowed Be The Next Big AAA RPG This 2024?

Avowed's combat system is designed to be dynamic, allowing players to switch seamlessly between different weapon varieties and abilities, including magic, melee weapons, and guns. The gameplay also includes defensive abilities like parrying and dual-wielding for increased firepower or versatility. Avowed will offer a mix of combat challenges, with a quest system where players investigate events and interact with NPCs, making choices that influence the direction of quests.

The gameplay trailer showcases the vibrant and saturated environments of the Living Lands, filled with diverse biomes, people, and enemies. It also introduces us to Kai, a Coastal Aumaua and former soldier, one of the game's companions. Kai's idealistic and pragmatic nature will guide the player through the wild frontier of the Living Lands.

Despite the anticipation, the internet has mixed reactions to Avowed's showcase. Some show excitement about its potential, while others express concern, particularly due to its stiff combat system and the animation quality. Its unique visual style, which uses a stylized color palette, stands out. However, RPGs are held to an undeniably extreme standard these days - just ask Bethesda how people continue to criticize Starfield despite its strong sales - Avowed's unnatural combat system and the lack of overall polish ahead of its release later this year needs much improvement.

While Pentiment and Grounded aren't half-bad, they didn't have AAA budgets. Avowed does. Thus, Avowed's success is largely dependent on how it compares to other open-world titles and RPGs that have pushed the genre forward since the days of Fallout 4 and Skyrim, namely, Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur's Gate 3, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

If it lives up to the expectations, improving its combat system to be more fluid and less janky paired with a compelling narrative, and, most important of all, a dynamic magic system, Avowed could very well add to Obsidian's legacy of creating memorable RPG experiences.

But, if not, then Bethesda better consider it as another reminder that The Elder Scrolls VI will have to be leagues ahead of Skyrim to be worth the wait.