10 Shocking Truths About Playing Pillars of Eternity After Avowed

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Playing the Pillars of Eternity franchise after Avowed might expose certain truths that could make the experience a bit challenging or even lead to a feeling of slight disappointment about specific aspects of Avowed when compared to the earlier games. These truths may either make it tougher to get into Pillars if you start with Avowed, or conversely, they might cause players who have already played the older games to find some elements of Avowed less satisfying. However, none of these issues are major and all three games remain worth playing. It’s simply advisable to be aware of these potential differences before diving in.

In the game “Avowed”, the combat and exploration are markedly distinct from those found in the “Pillars of Eternity” series. Although “Pillars” serves as a narrative prequel to “Avowed”, they belong to different categories of games, specifically CRPGs (Computer Role-Playing Games). A good analogy would be the transition from “Fallout 1 and 2” to “Fallout 3”, but “Avowed” does a more effective job at retaining the charm of the initial “Pillars” games. However, this new approach may cause some friction for players who are diving into the series for the first time as they adapt to the changes introduced in “Avowed”.

10. Avowed Spoils Some Plot Details From Pillars Of Eternity 2

Avowed Mentions Eothas’ Actions In Deadfire

During their initial gameplay of Avowed, players might not immediately grasp it, but they’ll encounter hints about the plot in Pillars of Eternity 2. Various characters will casually discuss events that recently unfolded in the Deadfire archipelago, which is where Pillars 2 is set, and the actions taken by the god Eothas. These details might not be crucial to Avowed’s main storyline, but for those who carefully follow all dialogue and lore exposition, it will become apparent that they have prior knowledge when they launch Pillars of Eternity 2.

In the process of designing a game similar to Avowed, this kind of spoiler poses a challenging dilemma: omitting references to events from the Pillars series might diminish their significance within the broader universe of Eora, potentially disappointing fans of the original games. However, including these events means revealing certain plot details, which could impact players’ overall experience by showing them how these events influence the rest of the world.

9. Some Of Your New Pillars Friends Are Likely Dead By The Time Of Avowed

Many Of Eora’s Godlike Have Disappeared In Avowed

In the game Avowed, several Non-Player Characters express surprise when encountering an Envoy, as Godlikes are quite uncommon by then. Most of these powerful beings have vanished from the world of Eora. Newcomers to the series might find this intriguing, feeling unique in their rarity. However, delving into the Pillars games will reveal that this scarcity could potentially be a sign of trouble for some of their new allies.

In the game “Pillars of Eternity,” the companions Pallegina, Tekēhu, and Vatnir are incredibly powerful figures, almost divine in nature. As players grow attached to these characters, they must come to terms with the fact that at least some of them might not survive until the events of the upcoming game “Avowed.” Although death isn’t uncommon in the “Pillars” series, it can still be a melancholic moment to learn that beloved characters may have met their end off-screen.

8. Fights In Pillars Of Eternity May Be Harder Than In Avowed

Avowed Allows Skill To Play A Larger Role In Fights

In comparison to an action RPG such as Avowed, the combats in CRPGs like Pillars of Eternity are quite distinct. Although both types share elements of stats and skills, the influence of a player’s skill on a fight is more pronounced in action RPGs than in CRPGs which rely more on numerical aspects. Consequently, players accustomed to overcoming challenging opponents through reflexes in Avowed may find themselves taken aback if they attempt similar tactics in the Pillars series.

In the game “Pillars of Eternity”, players must divide their focus among various party members during combat. On the other hand, in “Avowed”, even though party members can still fall in battle, they won’t permanently die as they do in the traditional “Pillars” games. Therefore, players who rely on Rangers or Wizards using Kai as a shield in “Avowed” will need to adapt and ensure their companions make it through each encounter, as losing them permanently is still a risk if not careful.

7. The Pillars Games Highlight Avowed’s Lack Of Enemy Variety

Avowed’s Enemy Variety Issues Aren’t As Noticeable Until Compared To The Pillars Games

The range of enemies in Avowed isn’t exceptional, though it could use improvement for a fantasy RPG setting. As players advance to Shatterscarp, they may find themselves questioning the ubiquity of bears across the Living Lands and questioning their actions against Xaurips, who appear to have established settlements throughout the island, potentially raising concerns about their right to be there over Aedyrans. Furthermore, it’s noticeable that several enemy types, such as beetles and spiders, are merely reskinned and receive power-ups in later stages of the game.

In the Pillars of Eternity series, the diversity of opponents becomes more noticeable. When players delve into this franchise, they’ll encounter almost every type of adversary they face in Avowed, along with numerous other enemy types and creatures that exist between Pillars 1 and 2. The boss fights in Avowed may seem underwhelming compared to the Mega Bosses encountered in Pillars of Eternity 2.

6. The World Of Pillars 1 Feels Drab After Avowed

Avowed’s Colorful And Unique Landscapes Stand Out More Than Pillars 1’s

Stepping into the richly hued vistas of the Living Lands in Avowed, one might be taken aback upon encountering Eora for the first time in Pillars of Eternity. Don’t get me wrong, there are intriguing aspects to these lands, but they simply don’t capture the same enchanting allure as the Living Lands do. The Deadfire archipelago in Pillars 2 might present more captivating landscapes, yet Pillars 1 feels somewhat generic compared to Avowed, at least initially.

In the game “Pillars of Eternity”, knowledge about Eora gained from playing the subsequent game “Avowed” could intensify an existing issue. Although the environments in the initial “Pillars” game might appear commonplace, the world of Eora is rich with exclusive mechanics and history that set it apart. Yet, players who are already familiar with Eora due to their experience with “Avowed” may not fully appreciate the sense of discovery that newcomers to “Pillars” would experience. This could potentially lead these experienced players to focus excessively on the physical environment rather than acknowledging the overall uniqueness of Eora.

5. Avowed’s Character Creator Doesn’t Offer As Much Freedom

Pillars Of Eternity Has More Character And Class Options

Upon launching “Pillars of Eternity”, players are likely to notice straight away that the character creation options in this game are significantly more comprehensive than those in “Avowed”. Unlike the latter, which only offers two races to pick from, “Pillars of Eternity” provides a variety of five. Additionally, players can opt for one of four types of Godlike entities, each of which can belong to any of the five available races. Unlike “Avowed”, which features three main skill trees, “Pillars of Eternity” offers 11 distinct character classes to choose from.

While some gamers might yearn for a broader character customization in Avowed, it’s important to note that several thoughtful improvements have been made. For instance, body type and gender are now distinct choices, players can dynamically select their class during gameplay rather than at the beginning, and there are more intricate options available for personalizing appearance. However, when contrasted with the Watcher, it becomes apparent that the Envoy character has a limited range of choices to select from.

4. Exploration In Avowed Is Much More Immersive

Exploring In First Person Puts Players More In The World

In contrast to traditional CRPGs, a first-person action RPG like Avowed offers a greater sense of immersion. Instead of observing the game’s characters from afar, players in Avowed will have a more personal experience due to the first-person perspective. Those playing Pillars of Eternity might yearn for a more immersive way to explore its environments.

1st-person gaming experiences can lead to thrilling gameplay scenarios. Stumbling upon a trap in the game Avowed, for instance, can be quite exhilarating as players swiftly devise strategies to dodge the imminent peril. However, in games like Pillars of Eternity, falling into traps is less frequent because the scouting mode alerts you to them. Even if a player accidentally sets off a trap, they can pause gameplay and instruct their teammates not to repeat the mistake, reducing potential frustrating deaths while retaining a more calculated feel rather than an exciting one.

3. Pillars Of Eternity Makes Finding Loot More Difficult

Avowed’s Highlighting Of Lootable Objects Makes Things Quicker And Easier

One of the standout features of the game Avowed is that it eliminates the need for players to spend excess time searching every nook and cranny of a room for hidden loot, as the game automatically marks chests, lock boxes, and other potential sources of loot. This not only saves time but also allows players to focus more on enjoying the gameplay itself, rather than meticulously scouring each room in search of valuable items. In comparison, while not quite as cumbersome, Pillars of Eternity still lacks a similar system for highlighting loot.

In the game ‘Pillars of Eternity’, players must hover their cursor over items such as chests or boxes to determine if they can pick them up or interact with them. Although the game provides an Area Loot feature, it’s essential for players to recognize when something is lootable in order to utilize it. While ‘Pillars of Eternity’ doesn’t have a particularly problematic loot system compared to other CRPGs, some users may find the process slightly more laborious following the streamlined approach of ‘Avowed’.

2. Companions In Pillars Of Eternity Are More Customizable

Players Can’t Equip Their Companions With Gear In Avowed

Characters in the game “Pillars of Eternity” offer a wider range of interactive possibilities compared to those in “Avowed”. Players not only have direct control over them in battles, but they can also adjust their equipment. On the other hand, companions in “Avowed” are mostly self-reliant during fights and their gear cannot be altered.

In a different approach, some players might find it challenging or irritating that Avowed has streamlined companions and doesn’t permit them to wear top-tier equipment. This can be particularly annoying when you see Kai dealing only nine damage against enemies, while his average damage should ideally be around 600 times higher than that.

In a simpler and more conversational manner: Some players might find it somewhat time-consuming to manage their companions in Pillars of Eternity, as they must also make sure each companion has decent equipment. This can lead to spreading loot thinner than in Avowed. However you choose to play, there may be a learning curve when switching between the two ways of handling companions.

1. Avowed Feels Short Compared To The Pillars Games

Avowed Is Significantly Shorter Than The Pillars Games

In a somewhat unexpected comparison, the game “Avowed” appears to be shorter than the “Pillars of Eternity” series, considering their main stories. The “Pillars” games typically span 10-20 hours more than “Avowed”. Although exploration in “Avowed” is smoother compared to “Pillars of Eternity”, it’s unlikely that this difference fully explains the significant time gap.

As you delve deeper into the Pillars of Eternity series, especially when taking side content into account, the disparity in length becomes increasingly clear. Completing either the original Pillars of Eternity game takes over 100 hours, while its sequel, Pillars 2, is estimated to take around 200 hours. In stark contrast, Avowed is said to require approximately 40-50 hours for a full playthrough. After immersing oneself in the Pillars of Eternity games, players might yearn for more content within Avowed.

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2025-02-21 05:18