DexertoRPGs are usually open world, plunging players into a new planet, country, region, or universe where everything is new. Now, Avowed is cementing itself as another stellar RPG as seen in our review, but does it follow tradition?
Avowed may take its world from Pillars of Eternity, but it is far from a game that conforms to the typical RPG experience. Sure, it has companions, different classes, tons of seemingly impossible choices, and the ability to truly master combat through your weapons and armor. But it also holds elements RPGs don’t typically have, like a lack of romance.
As such, Avowed’s open world status has been thrown into question, with many wondering whether you’ll be diving into an open world or a more region-based Living Lands. Here’s all you need to know.
Is Avowed an open-world game?
No, Avowed is not an open-world game.
Instead of a vast, seamless map like Skyrim or Elden Ring, Avowed uses a zone-based design. This means the world is divided into large, explorable regions rather than one continuous open world.
Dexerto / ObsidianHow does Avowed’s zone-based world work?
You’ll travel between distinct zones, each filled with quests, secrets, and challenges, all of which are part of The Living Lands.
The first zone you explore is Dawnshore, which serves as the initial major zone in the game. After progressing through the story far enough, you’ll unlock the next one, and so on.
While you can’t roam the entire world freely from the start, you can return to previous areas and use fast travel to move between them.
Open World vs Zone-Based system
Dexerto / ObsidianHere’s a table comparing how Avowed’s zone-based system works in contrast to other open-world games.
| Feature | Avowed | Open-World Games |
|---|---|---|
| Map structure | Large, detailed zones instead of a single open world. Each area is crafted for a focused experience. | A vast, seamless map where you can travel anywhere without loading screens. |
| Exploration | You can explore freely within each zone, but new areas unlock as you progress through the story. | You can typically go anywhere right from the start, with few restrictions. |
| Story & pacing | The structured zones guide players through the story in a way that keeps it engaging and well-paced. | Stories are often more open-ended, which can sometimes lead to feeling overwhelmed by too many options. |
| Player choice & consequences | Choices have a more direct impact on the world, as the game knows where you are in the story. | Choices can still matter, but the open nature can make their effects feel more spread out. |
| Travel & navigation | Fast travel between zones makes backtracking easier. | Fast travel exists, but you can also walk or ride across the entire map. |
The zone-based design in Avowed strikes a balance between freedom and structure. Each area is packed with meaningful content. It also helped the developers create a richer, more detailed world without the technical limitations of a fully open-world game.
So while Avowed may not be open-world, it still offers deep exploration, immersive storytelling, and a world worth discovering – just in a more structured way.
While you explore this world, you’ll be accompanied by brilliantly voiced companions, which are surprisingly not romanceable.
While diving into Avowed, be sure to check out the best companions, or how to build the strongest Fighter, Ranger, and Wizard so you can help defeat that Dream Scourge.
