Obsidian Entertainment has returned to its RPG roots with Avowed, marking its first single-player fantasy role-playing game in over five years. Known for crafting the richly detailed world of 2018’s Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire, Obsidian has since ventured into various other genres with titles like the space-faring RPG, The Outer Worlds, and the narrative-driven adventure, Pentiment. While Avowed departs from the isometric viewpoint of Pillars of Eternity, opting instead for first- or third-person perspectives, its release reaffirms Obsidian’s unique approach in a space crowded with fantasy RPGs.
What sets Obsidian apart from its peers is the diversity of its recent games. From RPG elements to completely different genres, games like Grounded, Pentiment, and The Outer Worlds showcase a plethora of styles, yet each contains clever Easter eggs for fans to discover. Avowed continues this trend by including nods to pop culture throughout the game, such as an Easter egg from Avatar: The Last Airbender and a quest reminiscent of Fallout: New Vegas. Notably, some of the game’s most intriguing hidden gems can be found in its Xbox achievement list, showing Obsidian’s playful side.
Once players delve into Avowed, they’ll uncover references cleverly embedded in the achievements on both Xbox and Steam. There are fifty achievable triumphs—eighteen being hidden—that often nod to other beloved franchises. Unlike the challenging completion criteria of games like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth or the Gears of War series, reaching 100% completion in Avowed is quite manageable. Many of these achievements are story-related or tied to specific tasks, such as “eliminate 15 foes with stealth attacks” or “defeat 10 spiders and 10 beetles.”
Among these achievements are several named as a homage to various pop culture references, paying tribute to universes both within and beyond the world of gaming. An exemplar is Two Bears High-Fiving, a playful nod to Fallout’s Honest Hearts DLC, which fans might recognize as a cheeky reference to a minor character. This achievement is a throwback to a fan-modified in-joke from Fallout: New Vegas, highlighting Obsidian’s enduring connection to its fanbase.
Other remarkable Easter eggs in Avowed bear nods to iconic media and gaming. The achievement Everybody Disliked That will ring a bell for Fallout 4 enthusiasts, while That Sign Can’t Stop Me Because I Can’t Read pays homage to a line from the children’s series, Arthur. Pokémon fans may chuckle at Gotta Cache ‘Em All, an achievement that gives a playful spin on the franchise’s famous catchphrase.
Moreover, some of Avowed’s achievements directly reference Obsidian’s previous works. Completing every side quest rewards players with the Pentiment achievement, a nod to the studio’s renowned 2D adventure game, whereas aligning with the Steel Garrote faction unlocks Tyranny, a call-back to their 2016 CRPG.
In essence, Avowed is a nostalgic journey that feels as though it harks back to the cherished era of the Xbox 360, sprinkled with both new and familiar experiences. Whether for veterans of Obsidian’s previous titles or newcomers alike, it promises a rich tapestry of discovery and adventure that stays true to the studio’s enchanting legacy.
