Avowed’s Companions May Not Outdo Baldur’s Gate 3’s, And That’s Okay

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home January 12, 2025 2 Views 7 Min Read
Avowed's Companions May Not Outdo Baldur's Gate 3's, And That's Okay

Set to arrive this year, Avowed represents a bold shift toward action RPG gameplay over its Pillars of Eternity predecessors. By bringing the CRPG setting of Eora into a genre with more mass market appeal, Obsidian Entertainment could potentially see this title become the new flagship IP of the studio. When considering how heavily recognizable characters can factor into the long-term success of a series, however, it seems increasingly likely that the cast of Avowed will be fighting an uphill battle to match the standard set by Baldur’s Gate 3.

Given their ongoing relevance long after the dust has settled, it’s clear that the party of Baldur’s Gate 3 has resonated particularly strongly with audiences. The effort and charm of designers, writers, and voice actors factored into that accomplishment, but it’s also important to bear in mind that the Forgotten Realms is a well-worn setting that was merely built upon with their inclusions. While it’s true that the Pillars series is an existing foundation that Avowed can iterate on as well, the challenge of introducing larger audiences to Obsidian’s unique worldbuilding shouldn’t be underestimated.

The Outer Worlds Niche Going Opposite Direction Avowed

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The Outer Worlds Could Fill a Unique Niche By Going the Opposite Direction as Avowed

The Outer Worlds could distinguish itself from other Obsidian IPs by going in the opposite direction as Avowed and the Pillars of Eternity series.

The Bar Set by Baldur’s Gate 3’s Companions is Challenging for Any New RPG to Surpass

Larian Studios Created Party Members Who Have Transcended the Niche Status of the Genre

It’s not uncommon for RPG companions to become fan-favorites in popular titles, but the popularity of characters from Baldur’s Gate 3 is especially notable. Considering the degree of depth afforded to each of their arcs paired with the dedication their voice actors have shown, the fact that they’ve become so well-known despite being relegated to a traditionally niche isometric format manages to make sense. They manage to be compelling through bonds platonic or romantic alike, but the level of detail to their interactions also means that a significant portion of development was focused on them alone.

It’s similarly worth noting that Larian allowed its voice actors practically unprecedented creative input when it came to developing their characters, seemingly contributing to the appreciation they’ve continued to show for the opportunity and fan base. While that development environment is highly commendable, it might not be the most practical for the circumstances of Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming Avowed.

Avowed Will Deal with the Dual Task of Establishing Its Cast and World Simultaneously

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Characters Had the Foundation of an Existing Series and Massive IP

It’s true that the two Pillars of Eternity titles have technically already laid the groundwork for Eora to be delved into for years to come, but that can hardly compare to the decades of licensed Dungeons and Dragons content that BG3 had the privilege of starting with. Marius being a Dwarf Ranger and Giatta being a Human Wizard might be similar enough concepts to grasp, but Yatzli’s status as an Orlan, for instance, is likely to make her the first ever encounter with that race for many players. In a setting where the factions and cultures are not nearly as ubiquitous or established, Obsidian is facing the demanding trial of balancing lore and interaction.

The Party of Avowed Can Still Be Worthwhile with This Split Focus

Although it’s a bit unrealistic to expect the cast of companions in Avowed to be as iconic as those of BG3, they don’t need to meet that lofty standard in order to be compelling parts of the title. Not every character in an RPG has to serve as an emotional core to the story, with a staggering number of voice lines forming their complexity, a rule that especially applies to the more linear Avowed. If the upcoming title manages to see its own companions become beloved, said companions will have achieved that status with far less support from existing media.

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