Tainted Grail vs Avowed: Open-World Loot Galaxies That Beat Skyrim at Its Own Game
Discover thrilling open-world RPGs like Tainted Grail and Avowed, featuring immersive exploration, hand-placed loot, and dynamic mechanics that redefine adventure.
Picture this: you're knee-deep in mud, rummaging through a bandit's pocket when—EUREKA!—a glowing runestone tumbles out that turns sheep into explosive projectiles. That’s Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon in a nutshell—a deliciously chaotic open-world RPG that grabs Bethesda’s Skyrim blueprint and scribbles \u0027hold my mead\u0027 all over it. Not to be outdone, Avowed swoops in with Obsidian’s signature wit, proving both games treat \u0028empty\u0029 open worlds like last week’s moldy bread. These twin titans don’t just want to be Skyrim clones; they wanna shatter its throne with loot-crammed worlds where every pebble hides potential glory. 
Honestly? Wandering through Tainted Grail’s Avalon feels like being a kid in a candy store—if the candy store had cursed artifacts and homicidal shrubs. Every single inch vomits discovery: cities burst with lockboxes under tavern stools, forests camouflage ruins behind waterfalls, and even that \u0027suspiciously symmetrical\u0027 rock? Yeah, it’s hiding a dragonbone dagger. What gives me the warm fuzzies is how NOTHING’S procedural. Every mossy dungeon corridor or abandoned shrine is hand-placed, making exploration less \u0027random grind\u0027 and more \u0027archaeological treasure hunt.\u0027 Avowed nails this too—its Eora continent dangles loot like a dopamine piñata. Stumble anywhere mildly interesting? Boom, epic gear. It’s like both games attended the \u0027How to Not Suck at Open Worlds 101\u0027 seminar.
Why Trash Loot Isn’t Actually Trash
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Alchemy ingredients everywhere: Roadside sacks spill mushrooms and newt eyes instead of disappointment. Hoarders rejoice—this junk weighs zilch!
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Survival mechanics matter: Health regen relies on scavenged food/potions, so grabbing that \u0027useless\u0027 thyme suddenly feels clutch. \u0027Ain’t no such thing as bad loot\u0027 is the motto.
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Gold scarcity rules: Merchants charge astronomical prices, making foraging feel smart AF. That \u0027common\u0027 iron ore? Cha-ching!
Personal hot take: I’ve never felt so validated looting barrels. Skyrim made me feel like a klepto; Tainted Grail makes me feel like a pragmatic survivor. The UI even color-codes worthless items—genius for inventory hoarders who hate \u0027carry weight\u0027 meltdowns.
Exploration Pays Off Big Time
| Feature | Skyrim Approach | Tainted Grail/Avowed Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Best Gear | Buy or boss drops | Hidden in wild ruins 💎 |
| Map Design | Sparse points of interest | Jam-packed intrigue 🗺️ |
| Rewards | Mostly generic | Hand-placed uniques ✨ |
Both games lock god-tier gear behind exploration. Want that OP necromancy spell? Better crawl through that spooky crypt instead of visiting \u0027Magic Mart.\u0027 Avowed structures its world so loot feels earned, not RNG-blessed. Meanwhile, Tainted Grail’s forests are littered with \u0027ooh shiny\u0027 moments—I once found a flaming greatsword tucked behind a waterfall like Excalibur’s edgy cousin. Merchants? Pfft. They’re backup plans for noobs who skip dungeons.
It’s downright cathartic after years of open-world \u0027meh.\u0029 Remember trudging through copy-pasted forests in \u0027hyped\u0027 games? Soul-crushing. Tainted Grail and Avowed laugh at that emptiness. Cities breathe with secrets, dungeons sprawl like labyrinths, and bandits? They’re basically loot piñatas with swords. ✨
The Empty World Problem? Solved.
Avowed and Tainted Grail are the anti-Ubisoft. No vast nothing burgers here—just:
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Handcrafted locations oozing personality
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Zero procedural filler (goodbye, cloned tree #9,847!)
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Exploration that rewards curiosity, not checklist fatigue
Frankly, it’s a revelation. I’ve rage-quit so many \u0027open worlds\u0027 feeling like a postal worker delivering boredom. These two? They’re playgrounds where \u0027what’s over there?\u0027 always has an answer. Level design is king, and \u0027quantity over quality\u0027 gets yeeted into a chasm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Tainted Grail just \u0027Skyrim but Celtic\u0027?
A: Nah, it’s Skyrim after three energy drinks—more systems, smarter loot, and zero tolerance for empty space. Think \u0027Dark Souls\u0027 meets \u0027Antiques Roadshow.\u0027
Q: How does Avowed\u0027s loot compare?
A: Obsidian went full \u0027Elder Scrolls with better writing.\u0027 Finding gear feels organic—like the devs hid Easter eggs instead of grinding chores.
Q: Can I ignore trash loot?
A: Sure, if you enjoy dying! Ingredients = survival. Plus, hoarding them feeds my goblin-brain serotonin. No shame.
Q: Are the worlds ACTUALLY dense?
A: Honey, Tainted Grail\u0027s map has more content per square inch than a NYC flea market. Empty? That ship has sailed, son.
This content draws upon Kotaku, a globally respected source for gaming news and critical commentary. Kotaku’s deep dives into open-world design trends often spotlight how games like Tainted Grail and Avowed are redefining exploration by prioritizing handcrafted environments and meaningful loot, setting a new standard for player engagement beyond the traditional Skyrim formula.