Why Avowed’s Missing Photo Mode is a Major Blunder for Gamers

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At the time of its initial unveiling, it wouldn’t have been far-fetched to consider Avowed as a potential dark fantasy epic similar to games like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim or Dragon Age: Origins. The debut trailer for the game featured a gloomy, gray color scheme and music and narration that suggested a somber and serious experience. However, after several years of development and its re-reveal during the June 2023 Xbox Games Showcase, Avowed appears to be quite different from what was initially portrayed in the trailer.

In the latest sneak peek for the game, the color scheme was significantly brighter than many had anticipated, and it didn’t appear nearly as grim as preliminary promotional materials implied. While some may feel let down by this, make no mistake, _Avowed_ is a visually stunning game in its own right. The game’s landscapes are breathtaking, and certain areas truly shine on an OLED display due to the use of vivid colors. Without a doubt, _Avowed_ is one of Obsidian’s most graphically impressive games to date, making the absence of a Photo Mode all the more regrettable.

Avowed Really Needs a Photo Mode

Photo Modes Weren’t Commonplace in AAA Games, Until Recently

During the early 2010s, I found myself in the realm of gaming where taking screenshots while playing was pretty much the extent of capturing in-game moments. Any post-processing would need to be done on a separate piece of software, either on my PC or mobile device. As the visuals in games got more impressive, though, there was a growing desire for in-game editing tools. In response to these wishes, some developers started incorporating Photo Modes into their games. These modes made it much simpler to snap artistic and cinematic screenshots of my favorite video games, and they opened up possibilities for playing with different camera angles and filters, elevating the gaming experience altogether.

Initially, Photo Modes were considered specialized features, but they’ve become quite popular in the high-end gaming industry. Nowadays, numerous developers, particularly those under the PlayStation umbrella, are incorporating Photo Modes into their games as post-release updates. Games like “Red Dead Redemption 2”, “Horizon: Forbidden West”, “The Last of Us Part 2”, and especially “Ghost of Tsushima” have showcased remarkable Photo Modes. However, one significant company that hasn’t jumped on this trend is Obsidian Entertainment, with only the 2022 survival game “Grounded” featuring a Photo Mode to date.

Grounded is the Only Obsidian Game That’s Received a Photo Mode So Far, and Avowed Should Be the Next

It’s quite unexpected that a game like “Grounded,” which features a simple, cartoony art style, includes a Photo Mode, while “Avowed” does not. Regrettably, there’s no sign that this discrepancy will be addressed anytime soon. Although Obsidian Entertainment has mentioned the prospect of creating sequels and expansions for “Avowed,” they haven’t hinted at any intentions to incorporate a Photo Mode in the game.

In Avowed, not having a Photo Mode seems like a missed chance, considering its stunning graphics. With Obsidian’s latest RPG making optimal use of Unreal Engine 5 and surprisingly efficient in terms of performance, players can enjoy high-quality visuals even at maximum settings without significant drops in frame rate or resolution. The game’s textures, particularly in the environments, boast impressive detail at certain moments.

A snapshot of the game Avowed won’t trick anyone into believing it’s a genuine photo, but its striking art direction more than compensates for the game’s lack of realism. The vibrant colors in the settings, such as subterranean caves illuminated by glowing mushrooms and lava-filled volcanic landscapes, beautifully demonstrate the game’s ecological variety. Fingers crossed that Obsidian includes a Photo Mode in Avowed as part of a future update, allowing players to capture these breathtaking vistas.

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2025-02-24 00:06