Avowed, developed by Obsidian Entertainment and released in February 2025, takes an unconventional approach to romance in RPGs. While the studio is known for titles that occasionally include romance, the focus here is on emotional development rather than flirtation or player-driven mechanics. Game director Carrie Patel explained in an early interview with IGN that the team wanted relationships in the game to feel organic and tied to character arcs, rather than relying on typical romance systems. This approach ensures that romantic moments emerge naturally from the narrative instead of being structured as a gameplay mechanic.
Unlike many Western RPGs, which often feature multiple romanceable companions, branching dialogue choices, and approval meters, Avowed presents a single subtle romance. The relationship centers on Kai, a companion with a complex past, whose storyline explores loss, grief, and personal growth. Romance in the game is not about attraction or flirtation but about helping Kai confront unresolved emotions and move forward. Players who engage with his narrative gradually unlock a quiet romantic moment that reflects both characters’ emotional journeys.
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Romance in Western RPGs: A Brief Overview
Western RPGs have long included romance mechanics, with BioWare pioneering the model in Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn and later refining it in the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series. These games established a pattern where players could pursue relationships with a variety of companions, often tracked through metrics or quests. This approach gives players freedom to explore romance as a gameplay element, adding lighthearted or dramatic moments between missions. However, critics have noted that these systems sometimes turn relationships into checklists, prioritizing mechanical engagement over narrative depth. Even when successful, such mechanics often highlight player choice over genuine character-driven storytelling.
Other studios have followed this model, with titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur's Gate 3 incorporating romance systems where approval ratings and dialogue options dictate outcomes. While these methods can create entertaining interactions, they rarely connect to emotional arcs in the same way that Avowed does.
Kai’s Story and Emotional Development
In Avowed, players control a custom envoy from the Aedyran Empire sent to investigate a plague called the Dreamscourge in the Living Lands. The protagonist recruits four companions, with a maximum of two traveling together at a time. Kai is the first major companion encountered and serves as the central figure in the game’s romantic narrative. Voiced by Brandon Keener, Kai is an aumauan mercenary with a troubled past, including desertion from the Rauatai Navy and a complicated relationship with the late Tama, the former leader of his mercenary squad.
The romance element develops as players help Kai confront his emotional baggage. Through fireside conversations and plot-driven missions, he gradually opens up about Tama and his inability to cope with loss. Players who guide Kai through this process unlock a quiet acknowledgment of mutual affection. The interaction is subtle, with no cinematic cutscenes, sex scenes, or dramatic gestures. Instead, the moment is tied to Kai’s growth, emphasizing that he is now capable of forming a meaningful connection after processing past trauma.
Subtlety and Integration in Game Design
Avowed deliberately avoids traditional romance mechanics such as dialogue trees labeled “flirt” or numerical affinity systems. According to Patel, this allows the romance to feel natural and surprising, emerging only when players engage with the character in ways consistent with the story. By removing mechanical incentives, the game ties romantic outcomes to narrative investment rather than strategic gameplay, creating a different type of player experience. The epilogue reinforces this approach, briefly noting that Kai has found a new chance at love with the envoy, reflecting the culmination of his personal journey rather than an arbitrary reward for player action.
This design choice highlights a shift in RPG storytelling. Instead of treating romance as an optional side activity, Avowed positions it as a narrative tool that deepens character development. While the game offers only a single romantic arc, its impact is heightened by its integration into the main story and its focus on emotional authenticity.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Avowed have a traditional romance system?
No. The game does not include multiple romance options, approval meters, or explicit romance mechanics. Romance emerges organically through the story, specifically with the character Kai.
Who can players romance in Avowed?
Kai is the only character in Avowed with a romance option. The relationship is tied to his personal growth and past trauma rather than traditional flirtation systems.
Is there a sex scene or explicit content in the romance?
No. The romance is subtle and focuses on emotional connection. The game includes dialogue and an epilogue mention, but no explicit scenes.
How does the romance affect gameplay?
Romance in Avowed does not provide gameplay benefits. It serves as a narrative element, highlighting character development and emotional resolution.
Do player choices influence the romance?
Yes, to an extent. Engaging with Kai’s storyline and making choices that support his personal growth allows the romance option to emerge by the end of the game. However, there are no mechanical indicators tracking this progress.
Why did Obsidian choose this approach to romance?
The studio aimed to create relationships that feel genuine and tied to the story rather than optional systems or mechanical rewards. This approach allows romance to emerge naturally from character development rather than player strategy.
