Back when Obsidian announced its space-faring first-person RPGThe Outer Worlds, fans were quick to draw comparisons toFallout. Obsidian comprises several key heads behind the firstFalloutgames, andThe Outer Worlds’trailer mentions as much. While the game featured dark humor, corporate greed, and companions galore which players would expect of aFalloutor Bethesda-style RPG, it would prove to be only the beginning of Obsidian’s return to the first-person RPG sandbox.Another ObsidianFalloutis unlikelyfor a variety of reasons, but fans can look forward to original Obsidian titles of the same caliber. WithAvowedon the horizon, Obsidian’s recent survival game serves an excellent showcase of the studio’s capabilities.
Interestingly, it wasn’tThe Outer Worldsthat exemplified Obsidian’s potential to soar pastSkyrim.Grounded, a unique survival game set in an oversized backyard, features a beautifully stylized environment and dangerously competent enemy AI. IfThe Outer Worldsinvoked memories ofFallout: New Vegas’open-ended gameplay and thoughtful dialogue,Groundedproved the studio can craft an intricate world that is realistic, immersive, and largely hard to break. While bugs have become synonymous with Bethesda, players seem to have lost a lot of patience for the increasing quirkiness of its most recent titles. Following Bethesda’s difficultFallout 76launch, perhaps underdog Obsidian can take advantage of its recent successful releases and the many lessons it learned along the way to craftAvowedinto a truly solid contender forSkyrim.
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Grounded Does What Skyrim Requires Mods to Do
It might seem strange to compareGroundedtoSkyrim, but the basic elements of Obsidian’s survival game serve a great foundation for the kind of first-person fantasy RPG thatAvowedneeds to be to stand out. Despite the fantastical nature ofGrounded, the game manages to feel borderline horror at times—that is, if bus-sized bugs get under a player’s skin. This can be attributed to its realistic visuals and involved mechanics. The game has excellent atmosphere that reinforces its survival mechanics, the lightly stylized tools and characters somehow feel at home under the towering blades of grass.Groundedearns its place among the best survival gamesbecause it’s smooth and immersive in a way that the average Bethesda game is not. Bethesda’s RPGs are immersive and rather cozy in their own right, but the survival aspects ofGroundedmake the game a uniquely gripping experience.
There is little information onAvowed, save for a pre-rendered reveal trailer. The trailer showcases hand-sign magic, dark visuals, and mention of the realm Eora. Obsidian has since confirmed its connection to thePillars of Eternityuniverse, which is an incredibly well-written world itself. Combine its plethora displays of grade-A writing and companion variety withGrounded’sgritty realism and survival mechanics, andAvowedis set to be a complex, brutal, lived-in world to rivalTheElder Scrolls’poster child. Considering Bethesda’s waning relationship with its fans, should Obsidian deliver a game as mechanically solid asGrounded, it’s likely to receive majority favor on the fantasy RPG front. IfObsidian can support a modding community aroundAvowed, its lifespan would increase tremendously.
FromNew VegastoGrounded, all the pieces of a legendary RPG are on the table, Obsidian need only assemble them into something special. It’s unlikely thatAvowedwill killThe Elder Scrolls VI, and Microsoft most certainly wouldn’t let the sister studios consume each other. BothAvowedandThe Elder Scrolls VIare likely to succeed. However,Avowedhas the potential to set a new template for the fantasy RPG the waySkyrimdid over a decade ago. Whatever happens, bothBethesda and Obsidian seek to redefine sci-fi RPGswithStarfieldandThe Outer Worlds 2, respectively. If Avowed doesn’t break the fantasy mold, perhaps both studios' endeavors on the final frontier will define a new era of sci-fi RPG.
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