Obsidian's highly anticipated game, Avowed, has now entered its advanced access phase, allowing eager players to dive into the immersive world of the Living Lands. As adventurers explore this new realm, they are likely to encounter a variety of magical items, face numerous dangers, and perhaps even find a touch of romance, contrary to initial expectations.
In the lead-up to Avowed's release, Obsidian had made it clear that the game would not include a traditional romance system. Instead, the focus was set on fostering "thoughtful relationships" with the game's companions. This was highlighted in an IGN interview with Avowed's game director, Carrie Patel, who shared insights into the development team's approach:
"We are building thoughtful relationships with our companion characters," Patel explained. "Ultimately, I personally am a fan of making that an option, but I feel like if you're going to do it, you really, really have to commit and make sure that you're giving all to fulfilling that in a way that feels both true to the character, but also creates an engaging player experience. So not something we're doing for Avowed, but I wouldn't say never."
However, early players and reviewers have uncovered a surprising twist. It appears that at least one companion, Kai, has romantic inclinations towards the player character. Spoiler Alert for those who wish to remain unspoiled about specific interactions with Kai, it's best to stop reading now.
***Warning!** Avowed spoilers follow:*
