Obsidian's Avowed has launched in early access, sending players on adventures across the Living Lands. Expect magical items, perilous encounters, and perhaps, unexpectedly, a touch of romance.
Prior to release, Obsidian stated Avowed wouldn't include a dedicated romance system, prioritizing instead the development of "thoughtful relationships" with companions. Game director Carrie Patel, in an IGN interview, explained: "We are building thoughtful relationships with our companion characters. 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 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 report at least one companion, Kai, displays romantic interest in the player character. Spoilers for interactions with Kai follow. Proceed with caution.
***Warning! Avowed spoilers follow:*
