Action RPG

Avowed’s Third-Person Mode Outshines Bethesda’s Best RPGs

BBG News

In recent years, the well-known RPG developer Obsidian Entertainment has primarily worked on smaller projects like Pentiment and Grounded. However, they’ve recently dived back into their forte with the release of Avowed, a return to the RPG genre since The Outer Worlds in 2019. In essence, Avowed harks back to the classic Obsidian formula that many gamers hold dear. This upcoming game, a spin-off from the Pillars of Eternity series, can be played from both first-person and third-person perspectives, and it takes place in an open-zone environment. While not an entirely open-world game like Skyrim or Fallout 4, it’s brimming with content.

Following a 5-day pre-release phase, the game titled “Avowed” was officially unveiled on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Game Pass, and PC earlier this week. Since then, it’s been receiving praise from both critics and enthusiasts alike. On OpenCritic, it boasts a Top Critic Average of 82 out of 100, while on Steam, it currently holds a 79% “Mostly Positive” rating. Numerous reviewers have likened “Avowed” to some of Bethesda’s top RPGs, such as “Skyrim“. Despite not being as groundbreaking as those titles, it stands out in one area: its third-person mode is considered superior.

Avowed’s Third-Person Mode Feels More Polished Compared to Most Bethesda RPGs

Players Can Quickly Swap Between First- and Third-Person Perspectives in Avowed

Despite primarily being marketed as a first-person game, Avowed can also be played from a third-person perspective. This switch can be made easily by holding down the right thumbstick on an Xbox controller or pressing the “U” key when using mouse and keyboard. This third-person mode is a noteworthy feature, although it wasn’t highlighted until the June 2024 Xbox Showcase, even though Avowed was initially revealed back in 2020. Obsidian Entertainment only confirmed its presence in the game during this showcase.

Despite minimal mentions of the third-person perspective in Avowed prior to its launch, some might assume it was a late addition to the game. However, this isn’t how it feels at all. While it may not be flawless, the third-person mode in Avowed is surprisingly well-executed. The player character animations aren’t overly stiff, the camera doesn’t behave erratically, and the combat generally flows smoothly. It’s true that some might argue that Avowed plays better in first-person, but even if that’s the case, its third-person mode is significantly less buggy compared to certain classic Bethesda games.

Unlike Avowed, the Third-Person Mode in Many Classic Bethesda Games Looks Rough

Similar to most games produced by Bethesda Game Studios, their AAA titles offer gameplay in both first- and third-person views. These games, notably, have been instrumental in popularizing this gameplay aspect within the RPG genre. However, in many Bethesda RPGs such as Fallout 3 and Skyrim, the third-person mode seems more of an addition rather than a fully integrated option compared to the first-person view. The third-person animations in these games can sometimes appear clumsy, and players may find it challenging to aim during combat when adopting this perspective. Interestingly, even Obsidian Entertainment’s Fallout: New Vegas, which was developed on the same engine as Fallout 3 and Skyrim, faces similar issues.

It’s great news that many camera angle issues from previous Bethesda games have been effectively resolved in the upcoming game, Avowed. This makes it one of the select AAA RPGs that offers an almost equally immersive gaming experience in both third-person and first-person perspectives. Consequently, players opting for a third-person playthrough in Avowed can expect a mostly polished gameplay experience.

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2025-02-22 00:00

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