The One Feature Obsidian’s RPGs Desperately Need to Rival Baldur’s Gate 3

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Over the years, Obsidian Entertainment has created numerous critically acclaimed role-playing games. My first encounter with their work was through “Fallout: New Vegas“. Following that, they released other popular RPGs like “The Outer Worlds” and “Avowed“. These games have received both accolades and criticisms from fans, with the latter earning a cult following after its release. Interestingly, one aspect that has been frequently discussed among fans is the absence of romanceable Non-Player Characters (NPCs) in Obsidian’s games, which seems to be a common feature in other major AAA role-playing games. While Obsidian has shared their reasons for avoiding romance storylines, fans are divided on whether they want this element in future Obsidian RPGs. However, the inclusion of romance questlines in future titles could potentially enhance the overall gaming experience.

There’s no denying that romantic storylines in role-playing games (RPGs) are widely appreciated. Mention Baldur’s Gate 3 to a fan, and they’ll likely share their fond memories of the characters and intricately crafted romantic subplots. When done skillfully, romance serves as an effective means for players to immerse themselves in the game world and interact with non-player characters they admire. It can even prompt some players to replay a game if they were undecided about whom to pursue initially. Basic romance mechanics can also enhance a player’s overall engagement in an RPG; the conversations surrounding romantic unions forged through Skyrim’s rudimentary system continue to this day.

Although some label Avowed as a spiritual sequel to Skyrim, it remains another role-playing game by Obsidian that doesn’t have a genuine questline for romance, a longstanding trait that can be traced back to their collaboration on Fallout: New Vegas. Given the intriguing companion characters present in Obsidian’s RPGs, it comes as no surprise that this aspect disappoints some of its devoted fans.

I’m really looking forward to introducing you to my friends in Avowed the Game on February 18th! Don’t forget to download and install the game before then, if you haven’t done so already.

— Xbox Game Pass (@XboxGamePass) February 4, 2025

Carrie Patel, the game director of Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming title “Avowed,” explained in an interview with IGN that the decision to exclude multiplayer from the game was a deliberate one made to shorten development time. However, she didn’t rule out the possibility of it being considered for future projects, stating, “I’m personally a fan of the idea, but if we were to do it, we would need to fully commit and ensure that it delivers a genuine character-driven experience while still keeping players engaged.

Essentially, Patel implies that Obsidian finds it tiresome to develop extensive love stories for their character’s plots. This viewpoint was also briefly expressed following the launch of The Outer Worlds, albeit with less detailed explanations behind the stance.

As a fervent fan, I found it intriguing when Patel mentioned that romanceable characters wouldn’t be present in Avowed at its initial release. However, his full statement seems to suggest that the prospect of romance mechanics could be on the table for future Obsidian projects. Given the trend of post-launch updates in modern games and the ongoing development of NPCs in Avowed after its launch by Obsidian, there’s a tantalizing chance that romance might be incorporated into Avowed at some point down the line.

Although Obsidian appears careful when it comes to developing romance-focused storylines in their games, it’s clear that they’ve laid a strong foundation for engaging and memorable character relationships.

In their games, Obsidian has not only created some of the most remarkable non-player characters in gaming, but they’ve also delved into romantic relationships and connections without holding back. Known for developing deep, platonic relationships with their companion characters, Obsidian often includes flirtatious dialogue that suggests romance, though stops short of full-blown mechanics. These well-crafted relationships are so immersive that players may forget about the absence of romance features in games like Fallout: New Vegas, as they recall how close they felt to the NPCs due to the powerful bonds Obsidian establishes between player and companion characters.

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2025-03-13 08:10