Summary
Upcoming first-person action RPGAvowedis set to expand Obsidian Entertaiment’sPillars of Eternityuniverse out of the isometric perspective that has characterized the IP up until now. While the titles that introduced Eora adhered to the traditional style of the CRPG genre, this latest effort seems focused on reaching a larger audience through its more immersive and accessible style. This shift will have an important effect on the core gameplay ofAvowed, but it will also present an unprecedented opportunity to capture a previously unseen aspect of the franchise’s world-building.
Although it may not seem like a particularly exciting addition to the game when compared to the wider gameplay changes, the introduction of a visible sky toAvowedis a notable difference from what was seen inthePillars of Eternityseries. The gods of Eora have always been an integral part of the lore at the foundation of the IP, but their connections to the celestial bodies of the world have been limited to the depictions possible within the isometric format.
Constellations in the Lore of Pillars of Eternity
The Subtle Impact of Celestial Bodies Through Eora’s Pantheon
As a deeper part of the story which is primarily emphasized in the “Council of Stars” quest, thePillars of Eternity’s godsare tied to star constellations that represent each one. These are linked to a puzzle involving pairing these star signs with shrines which reveal an image of the cosmos to the player, reinforcing the domains of these deities as part of a greater divine order.
Trusting in the Unseen Sky of an Isometric View
As important as celestial bodies are to the lore found within in-game text and other god-related imagery, theisometric CRPG perspectiveof thePillars of Eternitygames was never able to actively show the night sky being referenced. Being limited to top-down interactions never truly held this world-building back, but there’s always been the potential for a more realized take on these cosmic powers outside of third-party sources. Space and the stars have only been shown in a hard cut from the normal gameplay, and now they can be made a part of the actual skybox in a different sub-genre.
The Impact of Seeing the Sky on the Storytelling and Gameplay of Avowed
Constellations Can Be Fully Integrated into a First-Person Experience
Through taking an entirely new approach to render its world and allowing the player more exploration as a result,Avowedwill be introducing a new way to experience the celestial elements of Eora. Through the dynamic sky which can be viewed through a camera with full control, players may be able to interact with the constellations simply through viewing them and the gods they represent. Withthe protagonist ofAvowedhaving been teased as a member of the Godlike race, this divine parentage could even make for a significant role to be played by the stars in the main story. Such a lineage interacting with at least one ofPoE’s deities seems inevitable, andAvowed’s skybox is likely to serve as more than just a pretty visual throughout the title.
Several elements already seem to be shared betweenAvowedand the first-persongameplay ofThe Elder Scrolls, and the usage of in-game star signs has the promise to achieve a similar level of importance. Whether as subtle as the constellation stones ofSkyrimor the larger effect they had in previous titles, being able to see the night sky of Eora leaves the door open for incorporating deeper magical lore into a practical aspect ofAvowed’s presentation.
