As a hardcore RPG gamer who's been grinding through Obsidian's titles since the early days, I can't help but feel hyped about Avowed. It's like the studio finally woke up and smelled the coffee after The Outer Worlds kinda dropped the ball with its cringey humor. That game? Total facepalm moment—it tried so hard to be funny that it forgot how to tell a gripping story. But Avowed? Oh man, it's a full-on redemption arc, bringing back that deep, immersive storytelling Obsidian is legendary for. Playing it in 2025 feels like coming home to the kind of RPGs that made me fall in love with the genre in the first place. Seriously, if you're into games that make you think and feel, this is it. Let's dive into why this is a game-changer.
The Outer Worlds' Epic Fail: When Humor Sabotaged Story
I gotta be real—The Outer Worlds was a hot mess when it came to balancing laughs with drama. Remember how it was inspired by Firefly and Futurama? Yeah, that sounded cool on paper, but in execution, it felt like a bad knock-off. The devs, like Leonard Boyarski, even said it wasn't political, which is wild because the whole premise is about fighting greedy corporations! Instead of serious class struggles, we got cartoonish characters that were impossible to take seriously. Like, why should I care about colonists vs. capitalists when everyone's acting like a Saturday morning cartoon villain? It totally dehumanized the story, making it feel shallow AF.
And don't get me started on the humor—Phineas was supposed to be this Rick Sanchez-type genius, but the jokes fell flatter than a pancake. Compare that to masterpieces like Disco Elysium, which nails dark comedy without losing emotional weight. The Outer Worlds just couldn't pull it off, and it showed in the lukewarm fan reactions. People were like, "Where's the depth?" It's no wonder many of us felt zero investment in the plot. 😩
Obsidian's Glory Days: Storytelling That Hit Different
Before The Outer Worlds, Obsidian was killing it with RPGs that had us all hooked. Think back to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2—many fans, including me, argue it had a better story than BioWare's original. Same with Fallout: New Vegas; that game is still the GOAT of the franchise for its rich narratives and moral dilemmas. Here's a quick rundown of their top hits that set the bar:
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KotoR 2: Deep, philosophical themes about the Force that made you question everything.
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Neverwinter Nights 2: Outshone its predecessor with complex characters and epic quests.
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Pillars of Eternity: A modern classic with world-building that felt alive and urgent.
These games proved Obsidian could craft stories with gravitas, where every choice mattered and characters felt like real people. It's why we stuck with them through ups and downs—they knew how to make us care.
People Also Ask: What made Fallout: New Vegas so iconic? Or how does Avowed tie into Pillars of Eternity? Well, New Vegas gave us freedom and consequences, while Avowed expands the Pillars universe with fresh lore—totally lit for fans!
Avowed: Obsidian's Redemption Story
Fast forward to 2025, and Avowed is a breath of fresh air. It ditches the forced jokes and embraces serious, mature storytelling. Set in the Living Lands, it's packed with believable characters—like village leaders making tough calls—that you actually root for. The humor? It's natural, coming from allies like Kai or Yatzli, and it adds to their humanity instead of distracting from it. Plus, the game isn't afraid to tackle heavy stuff, like anti-imperialism, head-on. No hiding behind gags here; it trusts players to handle complex themes, which is a massive win.
Playing it feels like a tabletop RPG brought to life, with nuanced conflicts and cultures that pull you in. For instance, the moral dilemmas in quests had me pausing to think—something The Outer Worlds rarely achieved. Obsidian's learned their lesson: drama needs weight, and political messages in games? They're features, not bugs. Just look at how Pentiment balanced humor with dire stakes; Avowed takes that to the next level.
Lessons for the Future: Keep It Real, Obsidian!
Moving forward, Obsidian doesn't need to chase trends like massive open worlds to compete with Starfield. Nope—they just need to double down on what they do best: storytelling with heart. Avowed shows that avoiding over-the-top humor and fearlessly embracing depth is the way to go. Games like Tyranny and Alpha Protocol already proved this, and it's time to make it the norm.
| Game | Humor Level | Drama Impact | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Outer Worlds | High (forced) | Low | Undercut by jokes |
| Avowed | Moderate (natural) | High | Balances with gravitas |
| Disco Elysium | High (integrated) | High | Masterclass in tone |
Sure, not every studio can pull off a Disco Elysium—that lightning in a bottle is rare—but aiming for sincerity over silliness is key. The Outer Worlds tried to be a South Park episode in space, but Avowed reminds us that epic tales resonate more. So, what's your take? What elements do you think make an RPG story truly unforgettable? Spill the tea in the comments—I'm all ears! 🎮✨