Avowed Has a Sound Alternative to Map Markers

Over-prevalent map markers in games have received plenty of criticism, especially after the rise in popularity of the open-world genre over the last couple of decades. Game worlds that are increasingly large frequently succumb to the temptation of adding more optional content in order to compensate for their size, and map markers are often added to said maps to make it easier for players to locate that extra content. Unfortunately, this leads to maps not only feeling cluttered, but also to the overall experience feeling like nothing more than a checklist of chores for players to complete, as they are effectively robbed of the reward of discovery. Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed, however, largely chooses to forego map markers for a refreshing change of pace.

Avowed is not entirely without map markers, as players can see the location of vendors, campsites, fast-travel points, and most side quests on the map once they’ve discovered them in the world. However, apart from that, there are no map markers to speak of — not for collectibles and not for points of interest that might lead to valuable rewards upon discovering them. This is largely where many other games get it wrong, as they generally stuff their maps with far too many icons and overwhelm players in the process. Instead of using map markers to guide players to these locations, Avowed employs a unique method that, in turn, increases immersion, raises the value of discovery, and prevents map clutter in the process.

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Avowed Review

Avowed’s first-person combat and respect for player choice make it a journey worth having, but flaws in its story and design make it a one-way road.

Avowed’s Audio-Guided Exploration Is a Game-Changer

Avowed Lures Players Toward Its Collectibles Using Audio Cues

Instead of using map markers to lead players toward its collectibles, Avowed uses audio cues meant to draw the attention of the player in a certain direction. As they near a collectible in Avowed‘s Living Lands, whether it be in a chest or on a lootable corpse, players should be able to hear a shimmering sound indicating there is treasure nearby. From there, they simply need to follow the sound until they’ve found the collectible.

There are some cases in which the audio cue leads players to a seemingly impassable wall or to a locked building in Avowed‘s Living Lands, thereby potentially making the reward on the other side of that blockade even more sought after. After that, players might find themselves in a frenzied scramble, trying to figure out a way to get to the collectible as the audio cue taunts them from inside.

Avowed’s Use of Audio Cues Helps Increase Immersion and Raises the Value of Discovery

Ultimately, Avowed‘s audio-guided exploration helps increase immersion and raises the value of discovery. Rather than needing to open the map every few minutes, set a manual objective marker, and then use a compass to follow it to a destination, players can simply explore Avowed‘s world free of those constraints, keeping their ears open for the sound of nearby loot. As a result, immersion is not lost from constantly opening and closing the map, and any loot that players do find feels more rewarding overall, as though they actually put in the effort to find it.

Using its audio-guided exploration, Avowed encourages players to keep their attention on its world rather than a map. Instead of making the bounty of its exploration a chore, Avowed‘s audio cues seamlessly integrate the joy of finding loot into its world. In the end, Avowed‘s audio-guided exploration system truly is a sound alternative to map markers that more games should pick up on.

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Released

February 18, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence

Publisher(s)

Xbox Game Studios