Obsidian's Avowed has recently entered advanced access, inviting eager players to explore the Living Lands. As adventurers delve into this new world, they're not only encountering magical items and various dangers but also unexpected elements of romance, despite earlier statements from the developers.
In the lead-up to Avowed's release, Obsidian Entertainment made it clear that the game would not include a traditional romance system. Instead, the focus was to be on fostering "thoughtful relationships" with companions. Game director Carrie Patel shared insights on this decision in an interview with IGN, stating:
"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 that 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 access players and reviewers have discovered that at least one companion, Kai, shows romantic interest in the player character. Spoiler Alert: If you wish to avoid specific details about interactions with Kai, please proceed with caution.
***Warning!** Avowed spoilers follow:*
