Recently, Obsidian offered an in-depth preview of Avowed, revealing the game during an Xbox Developer Direct event and sharing a 25-minute gameplay video. It's becoming apparent that Avowed represents a significant enhancement in first-person shooter (FPS) combat from Obsidian, featuring a diverse array of loadout choices for players to enjoy.
In an interview with PC Gamer, Carrie Patel, the game's director, and Gabe Paramo, the gameplay director, discussed the inspirations for the dynamic fantasy combat depicted by Obsidian. Paramo explained, "We aimed to create something visceral. We want every strike to feel powerful, like you're really hitting something... akin to Vermintide. That game is a prime example of conveying satisfying impact with every hit."
Fatshark's horde-centric action titles set a high benchmark for visceral attacks that carry a tangible sense of weight. In Warhammer: Vermintide, a single swipe can rip through a horde of rats, and even with the simple action of mouse-clicking to swing a sword, there's an appreciable sense of the force behind each thrust. The combat exhilaration is enhanced as each enemy reacts uniquely to the swing's force, tumbling in various directions.
Patel expressed pride in the team's accomplishments, particularly with the melee combat system. "I'm genuinely proud of what our gameplay team has achieved — our melee combat feels outstanding," she added. "I truly believe it's going to rise above the rest in the genre of fantasy first-person action RPGs, especially in melee combat.