Avowed's Missing Ingredient: Why I'm Begging for New Game Plus

Let me tell you, stepping into the Living Lands for the first time in Avowed was pure magic. Obsidian delivered this vibrant, almost painterly world bursting with color and secrets around every corner. That feeling of freedom? It reminded me instantly of those late nights lost in Skyrim, but with that distinct Obsidian flavor of sharp writing and meaningful decisions. I loved crafting my character, freely mixing Fighter brawn with Wizard spells and Ranger cunning, creating something uniquely mine. The companions urging me to stand by my choices, even the messy ones? Classic Obsidian gold. It felt like an RPG where my journey truly mattered.

But then... I hit the end. And that's where the magic started to fray at the edges for me. Seriously, Obsidian, what gives? You built this incredibly deep skill system with three distinct class trees (Fighter 🗡️, Ranger 🏹, Wizard 🔮), practically begging players to experiment with wild multiclass combinations. You crafted branching narratives where a single choice can ripple outwards. Yet, you forgot the key that unlocks replaying this whole beautiful symphony: New Game Plus (NG+).

Here’s the frustrating reality I faced:

1. Skill Point Starvation: By the time I finished the main quest and scoured every nook and cranny for side content, I'd barely scratched the surface of that expansive skill tree. The points felt... meager. Like being teased with a buffet but only getting a small plate. I wanted to try a pure elemental mage, then switch gears into a battlemage, then maybe a stealthy spellbow hybrid? Impossible! I'd need to start completely over each time, grinding through those early levels again. Talk about killing the experimentation vibe!

2. The Choice Conundrum: Avowed shines when it forces tough calls. But what if I want to see the other outcome? Starting fresh means rebuilding my character from Level 1. My hard-earned power, the gear I meticulously collected, the abilities that defined my playstyle – gone. It completely shifts the focus. Instead of diving deep into the narrative consequences of different choices, I'm back to worrying about basic survival and resource gathering. NG+ would let me carry that powerhouse character into a new playthrough, letting me focus purely on the story ramifications. Imagine replaying a pivotal moment where your decision locks out a faction – wouldn't it be amazing to experience the alternative path with your established hero, seeing how the world reacts differently?

3. Wasted Potential: Avowed’s two strongest pillars – build diversity and player agency – are fundamentally undermined without NG+. It feels like building a magnificent sports car and then telling the driver they can only take it around the block once. The potential for truly deep, personalized character progression and narrative exploration just... stalls out.

What My Perfect Avowed New Game Plus Would Look Like:

• Carry Everything Forward: My level, my meticulously chosen skills, my favorite gear, my stash of crafting materials. Let me keep the character I poured hours into.

• Scaling Challenge: Don't just let me stomp everything! Ramp up enemy difficulty significantly to match my power level. Make those end-game abilities feel necessary, not just overkill. Boss fights should still be epic, nail-biting struggles. 💥

• Respect My Choices (and Let Me Change Them): While the world state needs to reset for a new story path, maybe offer limited 'Choice Respec' opportunities at key junctures? Or perhaps track previous choices subtly in the background?

• Exclusive NG+ Incentives: Maybe throw in some unique cosmetic gear, a hidden super-dungeon tuned for max-level characters, or even minor new dialogue acknowledging my 'veteran' status? A little reward for dedication!

Feature	Without NG+	With NG+
Build Experimentation	Severely limited; requires full restarts	Deep, continuous evolution possible
Narrative Exploration	Tedious grind overshadows choices	Focus shifts purely to story consequences
Player Investment	Diminishes after first completion	Greatly enhanced, encourages replays
Endgame Value	Low (limited skill points)	High (endless customization potential)

Honestly, it feels as clear as the sunlight over the Living Lands. Avowed is a fantastic RPG foundation – vibrant, choice-driven, and mechanically rich. But right now, replaying it feels less like embarking on a grand new adventure and more like doing homework. The magic of discovery fades when you have to rebuild everything from scratch just to see the other side of the story. That initial thrill gets replaced by a sense of missed opportunity.

Looking ahead, I'm hopeful – desperately hopeful – that Obsidian is listening. Rumors swirl about post-launch plans, and adding NG+ wouldn't just be a nice-to-have; it would be the single update that unlocks Avowed's true, magnificent potential. It would transform a great one-time journey into an endlessly replayable saga. Please, Obsidian, give us the key to keep exploring Eora with the heroes we've already grown to love. My spellsword is ready and waiting for another run! 🤞