I don’t care about being able to kill everybody and steal the Mayor’s pants in an RPG like Avowed, and I’m tired of pretending it’s mandatory

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Occasionally, there arises a disagreement among us writers at PC Gamer, and I find myself vehemently disagreeing with my esteemed colleagues Joshua Wolens and Robert Zak. They seem to believe that Avowed is inferior because it doesn’t have the same level of reactivity or the option to steal from shopkeepers after a purchase has been made, which I strongly contest.

To put it plainly, Avowed is often criticized for being a game that doesn’t offer much interactivity or dynamism. In truth, this criticism holds water, as the game lacks features like stealth, theft, bounty systems, and the ability to kill every character you encounter. Furthermore, the NPCs in the game don’t seem to have daily routines or behaviors that would make the world feel alive. Instead, it presents a static environment for exploration, rather than an immersive living world. If you were expecting these elements, you might find the game lacking.

Although I lack some traditional RPG elements that seem essential like bread and water, surprisingly, I’ve still found enjoyment in Avowed. This is because the game is exceptionally focused, concentrating on specific aspects: combat, exploration, settings, and narrative. Remarkably, it excels at all these areas, with its story being the least impressive, but even then, as a connoisseur of detailed world-building and intricate fantasy politics, I’ve been relishing my experience.

However, this individual I’ve invented contends that Skyrim encompassed all those elements. It was possible to slay a man and pilfer his trousers in Skyrim. One could obliterate a poultry farm in Skyrim. Moreover, one could persistently trail another character, discover their pre-set missions, then assassinate them, rob their clothes, and annihilate their livestock – chickens, in this case. Yet, why didn’t Obsidian create a game like Skyrim? Could it be they lack intelligence?

As an avid gamer, I can’t help but appreciate the depth and immersion that titles such as Baldur’s Gate 3 and Skyrim offer. However, it’s undeniable that these games require a significant investment of time during their creation process.

The problem lies in this line of reasoning, which suggests that modern video games are fantasies created using psychic brain magic rather than intricate networks of code that often malfunction despite numerous hours put in by countless developers. Granted, Avowed is a game sold at full price—so if your contention is that you expected more value for your money? I might not share the same viewpoint, but I can’t dismiss your argument altogether. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what you consider fair value for your money.

A suggestion that everyone involved in creating this project didn’t consider adding an anti-theft system is short-sighted – resources were allocated elsewhere, and Obsidian Entertainment often has multiple projects in development simultaneously. This is the reason behind both Avowed and a new Outer Worlds release this year. Granted, games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Skyrim offer an immersive experience, but they also require considerable time to develop.

There’s another concept that drives me equally crazy, which is the notion that if you create an RPG, it must allow players to follow NPCs, steal their pants, and kill chickens without consequences. If it fails to accommodate these seemingly nonsensical activities, it’s deemed a subpar RPG, even worthy of being excluded from the genre. I stand here to challenge this idea: Since when has this been a requirement for an RPG?

Indeed, expansive role-playing games (RPGs) are often considered the hallmarks of the genre, offering an unprecedented degree of freedom, though they are notoriously challenging to create. However, it’s essential to remember that these aren’t the only types of RPGs out there. For instance, you wouldn’t engage in murderhobo activities in Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, or The Witcher 3. Similarly, just because Cloud Strife can’t wield the Buster Sword for a Shinra purge in Final Fantasy 7 doesn’t make it any less of an RPG. Different games offer different experiences, each unique and valuable within the realm of role-playing games.

To be honest, I find that murder-sprees in games aren’t really my thing. In fact, when given the option, I usually prefer not to engage in them. While these games do offer other appealing aspects such as immersive, reactive gameplay, I don’t believe they are essential for me to enjoy myself. It all comes down to personal preference, but that’s my take on it. Role-Playing Games (RPGs) should have the freedom to encompass a wide range of reactivity – from completely system-driven simulations like Kenshi to traditional JRPGs like Metaphor: ReFantazio. Both styles can be enjoyable, in my opinion.

It seems unfair to criticize Avowed just because it doesn’t resemble Skyrim. Instead of comparing it with the pattern they recognize from other first-person RPGs, people should consider what type of game Avowed aspires to be and evaluate it based on its unique qualities. After all, Avowed is not Skyrim; it’s a strong action RPG that we have historically enjoyed, and there’s a good reason for that.

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2025-03-06 18:57