Avowed is one of Obsidian’s most ambitious RPGs, so there’s no surprise that many of you out there are wondering whether the game will feature a fully open-world structure, or follow a more structured, zone-based approach.
Given Obsidian’s track record with large-scale experiences like The Outer Worlds, it’s clear that they favor carefully designed, story-driven experiences — and Avowed is no exception.
So, does Avowed offer open-world freedom, or does it follow a more linear path? Let’s break down all we know.
Is Avowed open world?
Avowed is not a fully open-world game. Instead, it is zone-based, meaning the game world is divided into large, explorable regions rather than one seamless, continuous map.
This approach is similar to The Outer Worlds and Knights of the Old Republic 2, where you navigate between different areas that each offer their own quests, secrets, and challenges.
While Avowed does feature large-scale environments, it avoids the ‘endless open-world’ design seen in games like Skyrim or Elden Ring.
Instead, the structured zones help maintain story pacing, guiding you toward the main narrative goal while still allowing plenty of freedom for exploration.
Even though Avowed emphasizes a strong central narrative, the game isn’t lacking in side quests.
There are plenty of optional missions that allow you to flesh out the world, discover lore, and engage in additional combat or challenges.
Moreover, even though Avowed isn’t open-world, its zones are still large and allow for significant exploration.
You can return to previous areas, meaning you’re not locked out of zones after progressing through the main story.
Additionally, the game includes a fast travel system, making it easier to navigate between the zones without excessive backtracking.
This helps balance exploration and storytelling, preventing you from getting lost in an overwhelming sea of side quests while still giving the freedom to explore at your own pace.
