Obsidian's Avowed, now available in early access, has sent players exploring the Living Lands, encountering magic, peril, and surprisingly, romance. While Obsidian previously stated Avowed wouldn't feature a dedicated romance system, opting instead for "thoughtful relationships" with companions (as explained by game director Carrie Patel in an IGN interview), early access players report at least one companion showing romantic interest.
Patel's original quote highlighted the studio's commitment to crafting meaningful interactions: "We are building thoughtful relationships with our companion characters," she stated. "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 gameplay reveals a romantic subplot involving the companion Kai. Major spoilers ahead! If you wish to experience Avowed unspoiled, stop reading now.
**Warning! Avowed spoilers follow:
