Obsidian's Avowed, now available in early access, invites players on a journey through the Living Lands, promising magical encounters, perilous challenges, and surprisingly, the potential for romance.
Prior to release, Obsidian clarified that Avowed wouldn't include a dedicated romance system, prioritizing instead the development of "meaningful relationships" with companions. Avowed Game Director Carrie Patel, in an IGN interview, explained this decision: "We are building thoughtful relationships with our companion characters," she stated. "While I personally favor offering romance as an option, I believe that if you're going to include it, you must fully commit and ensure it's authentic to the character and creates a compelling player experience. It's not something we're doing for Avowed, but I wouldn't rule it out in the future."
However, early access players and reviewers have discovered at least one companion, Kai, who displays romantic interest in the player character. Significant spoilers regarding interactions with Kai follow. Proceed with caution.
Warning: Avowed spoilers ahead.