I Changed The Course Of Avowed’s Story, And I Didn’t Need A Quest Marker

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Modern video game players are often guided by mission indicators. Many RPG enthusiasts have developed a habit of skipping dialogue and rushing headlong towards map markers without much thought. It’s not entirely their fault, as we’ve all been trained to follow quest markers, diligently checking off each step to satisfy the completionist reflex in our minds.

Essentially, modern RPGs have made the gaming experience more streamlined compared to earlier games like Wizardry and Ultima where you needed to sketch dungeon layouts on graph paper to avoid getting lost excessively. While I’m not advocating for a return to those challenging times, incorporating less guidance at strategic moments could enhance the gaming experience.

Dialogue Cues

For instance, let’s consider Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment’s newest adventure set in Eora. This game has sparked debate among gamers. Its design seems reminiscent of games from the mid-2000s, offering a nostalgic role-playing experience that may not be bursting with advanced features or cutting-edge technology. However, it compensates for this with an immersive open world that keeps players hooked. Not everyone finds the Living Lands intriguing to roam, but I recently experienced a captivating moment while traversing the game’s second region, the Emerald Stair.

As a captivated reader diving into Emerald Stair, I’ve come to understand that the heart of the story revolves around the unique practice of animancy, which imbues magic into agriculture within the region. However, this method has recently ceased to yield results, and nature is now fiercely reclaiming its territory. It’s crucial to note that animancy is strictly prohibited in Aedyr, my homeland, an ambitious empire with colonial aspirations for the Living Lands. The extremist cult known as the Steel Garrote has stepped up to impose Aedyran law within this wild and untamed frontier, enforcing their interpretation of justice on behalf of our empire.

At this juncture, I’ve firmly decided to stand against the Steel Garrote. Despite your character being Aedyran, Avowed doesn’t provide much incentive for supporting Aedyr. Thus, I’d prefer to risk my fate with the honorable inhabitants of the Living Lands over loyalty to my homeland. As I prepared to traverse a bridge towards the untamed parts of the Emerald Stair, another Aedyran cautioned me that the Steel Garrote was hiding somewhere in the region, behind a waterfall.

I found myself wondering. It was possible that this secret waterfall hideout could only be reached after a specific point in the story, but why would the creators mention it if it couldn’t be discovered? My curiosity led me to question whether the game would allow me to locate the Steel Garrote without a quest marker. Thus, I ventured into the wilderness of the Emerald Stair, my thoughts focused solely on waterfalls.

With basic understanding of the world’s natural landscapes, I knew waterfalls could be found along rivers and streams. Thus, I chose to descend a slope and follow the closest river. It was a serene journey, save for occasional encounters with wandering xaurip groups. Previously, my time had been spent dashing from one quest marker to another, never truly appreciating the stunning scenery of Avowed. However, this particular stroll shifted my viewpoint.

Rewarding Exploration

In no time at all, I stumbled upon a colossal waterfall. Upon persistently colliding with the wall hidden behind this waterfall, I discovered an elevated trail to the right of the waterfall. As anticipated, this pathway led straight to a cave that I thought might contain Steel Garrotes or be vacant as I had possibly broken the game’s sequence.

To my delightful shock, the cave was teeming with zealous followers of Woedica who didn’t welcome my presence warmly. Since confrontation with Lodwyn had become a recurring theme in my character’s life at that stage, I chose to eliminate everyone within the cave, not fully comprehending their intentions. I assumed this would be just another skirmish, but little did I know, this secondary plotline would have significant implications for the overarching quest.

Following my journey through the primary storyline, I stepped out of a ruin and noticed plumes of smoke billowing from the town of Fior in the distance. Upon reaching the location, I discovered that the Steel Garrote had laid siege but were pushed back by the animancers due to my actions within the cave. This revelation filled me with excitement as it demonstrated that choices made outside the main quest can influence the game’s central plot significantly. What made this even more satisfying was that I relied on my instincts rather than following a predetermined path to find the solution.

Avowed stands out by using region-wide quest indicators instead of placing an icon directly over the desired item or character like Bethesda does in The Elder Scrolls. This means you’ll need to have a good idea of what you’re seeking if you’re only given a broad location. It may seem minor, but it’s a nice change and improvement.

There’s always been a continuous discussion about the role of yellow paint (symbolizing quest markers) in video games, considering both the general player understanding and personal preference. However, I strongly feel that incorporating more intuitive gameplay mechanics could significantly enhance gaming experiences. For instance, offering an option to switch quest markers on or off might cater to accessibility concerns. The current approach of moving from one marker to another seems overly repetitive and monotonous, reducing the interactive medium into a task-completion list without requiring much critical thinking.

In the heart of Avowed, I found myself deeply engrossed, a sensation seldom encountered in today’s role-playing games due to their overabundance of guidance and convenience features. The immersion was raw, unfiltered, and truly captivating.

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2025-03-21 19:37