
Since a massively successful launch in 2011, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has become an unavoidable comparison for open-world RPGs. Its sense of freedom and gigantic open world were the gold standard for the genre on release, but a lot has changed since then. Obsidian Entertainment, developer of the upcoming RPG Avowed, says it’s taking inspiration from a very different open-world game, and that may be a good sign for players who want a shorter, more focused RPG.