Tropes have become an integral aspect of nearly every form of media that has been around for a while, and the gaming industry is no exception. Over the years, many features have captured the imagination of gamers, becoming so iconic that they’re eventually incorporated into other games. Before long, these elements become the defining traits of various gaming genres. Avowed is a game that embraces several of these video game tropes, both the timeless ones and those that are more contemporary.
In Avowed, you’ll see damage numbers pop up above enemies’ heads as you strike them. Directional arrows indicate where an enemy’s attack is coming from, and you’ll find yourself solving environmental puzzles by breaking walls or flipping elemental levers. A loot rarity system adds another layer to the gameplay. These are just a handful of the recognizable elements in Avowed, and yet, it even includes a trope that’s almost as old as the industry itself.
### Avowed Embraces a Classic Adventure Game Trope
#### A Brief History of Games Hiding Things Behind Waterfalls
While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when it all started, the idea of hiding secrets behind waterfalls in video games dates back at least forty years. One of the earliest mainstream appearances of this trope was in the 1986 classic, The Legend of Zelda. Players could step into a waterfall and meet an old woman who would offer hints in exchange for gold.
Since then, this trope has become a staple in adventure games, often concealing hidden treasures, special loot, or even entire secret areas. Some of the most memorable instances of this include the waterfall shrines in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the hidden star behind the waterfall in Super Mario 64, and the secret cave in Uncharted 4 located in Madagascar.
On occasion, developers like to play with this trope by hiding joke items instead of valuable ones. Take Undertale, for example, which humorously conceals an old tutu behind its waterfall. Games often tuck away Easter eggs and nods to other franchises behind waterfalls, too—like the retro costume unlock in Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands.
#### Avowed Rewards Those Who Go Chasing Waterfalls
In true form, Avowed doesn’t shy away from this enduring gaming tradition. Right from the game’s tutorial island, players can stumble upon a waterfall that conceals a backpack. While it’s not filled with anything extraordinary, it serves as a delightful nod to the long-standing adventure game trope.
This early discovery also reinforces the value of thorough exploration in Avowed’s world, where venturing off the beaten path often yields rewards. Later in the game, a waterfall in the Emerald Stair region reveals a hidden cave that houses the unique Death Knight armor set.
This isn’t Obsidian’s first foray into this territory. The developer also paid homage to the venerable waterfall trope in its 2019 release, The Outer Worlds, where players can find loot behind a waterfall in Fallbrook.
Avowed captivates players not just with its engaging gameplay and rich world but by embracing and reimagining beloved video game traditions. It’s a comforting reminder that while the industry continues to evolve, some things just never go out of style.
