In the sprawling, soul-haunted world of Eora, 2026 brought a familiar realm to life through a whole new lens. Obsidian Entertainment, wizards of deep RPG storytelling, decided to take a bold leap. They stepped away from the beloved isometric viewpoint of their Pillars of Eternity masterpieces and plunged players headfirst into the action with Avowed. It’s like you’ve been reading the most intricate history book about a fantasy world for years, and now, someone’s opened a portal and said, "Go on, step inside." The game isn't a sequel in the traditional sense—it's more of a cousin, sharing the same family traits but with its own distinct personality and swagger.
The Living Lands: Eora's Wild, Wild Frontier
Both Avowed and Pillars of Eternity call the same place home: the magnificent and complex fantasy realm of Eora. This is a world where:
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Diverse cultures clash and cooperate.
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Political intrigue is as thick as the magic in the air.
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The supernatural isn't just legend; it's a fact of life, tied intrinsically to the souls of every living being.
While Pillars fans got to know regions like the troubled Dyrwood and the sun-drenched, perilous Deadfire Archipelago, Avoved packs your bags for a one-way ticket to the Living Lands. This place is, frankly, Eora's messy attic—a frontier region previously only hinted at in lore, now bursting with life (and undeath). It's teeming with fortune-seekers, cutthroat mercenaries, and secrets that have been buried so long they've practically grown roots. This new setting is Obsidian's genius move: it gives them a fresh canvas to paint on, enriching the tapestry of Eora without forcing new players to cram for a lore exam. You can just show up and let the wild, untamed beauty—and danger—wash over you.
A New Story in a Familiar Time
So, when is all this happening? Chronologically, Avowed picks up the story a few years after the dust settled in Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire. We're talking around the year 2830 AI. But here's the kicker: even though the calendar pages haven't flipped many times, the narratives are as distinct as their gameplay perspectives.
Think of it this way: just because two major world events happen around the same time doesn't mean they're directly connected. The story of Avowed is its own beast, separated by an ocean and a whole new set of problems. This deliberate choice means the game stands firmly on its own two feet. Newcomers can dive into the mystery of the Living Lands without any baggage, while series veterans will get that warm, fuzzy feeling of spotting a familiar name or concept lurking in the shadows. It's the best of both worlds, no pun intended.
The Soul of Eora Remains
Now, don't get it twisted—just because it's a new story doesn't mean they threw out the old rulebook. The rich, foundational lore of Eora is the bedrock upon which Avowed is built. All those heady themes that made Pillars so special are front and center:
| Pillars of Eternity Lore | How Avowed Carries the Torch |
|---|---|
| Souls & Magic 🪄 | The intricate link between a being's soul and magical power remains the universe's core mechanic. |
| The Gods' Whims ⛪ | The deities of Eora, with their agendas and conflicts, still shape events from afar. |
| Animancy 🔬 | The controversial science of soul-study continues to be a source of wonder, terror, and societal upheaval. |
Avowed introduces a whole new cast of characters, factions you'll love to hate (or hate to love), and challenges unique to the rugged Living Lands. But it does all this within the established framework of Eora. The frontier vibe of the Living Lands—all that "rugged and untamed" energy—feels like a natural extension of the world we already know. It's a place where the rules of "civilized" Eora are bent, making it the perfect playground for the kind of personal, impactful stories Obsidian is famous for. It’s familiar, yet thrillingly unknown… a tough balance to strike, but they’ve nailed it.
So, what's the final verdict as we look at Avowed in 2026? It’s a testament to masterful world-building. Obsidian hasn't just made a new game; they've unlocked a new door in a house they spent years constructing, inviting everyone to explore a room they’d only heard whispers about. The perspective has shifted from a tactical overhead view to the visceral immediacy of first-person combat and exploration, but the soul of the experience—the deep lore, the moral complexity, the living, breathing world of Eora—that remains gloriously, unmistakably intact. For old fans, it's a homecoming to a new neighborhood. For newcomers, it's one heck of a first impression.