`Avowed Captures the Magic of Eora`

As a keen gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but be captivated by the extraordinary talents of Obsidian Entertainment, a developer I hold in high regard within the Xbox Game Studios family. Consequently, my anticipation for their upcoming title, Avowed, has reached unprecedented heights.

Not only was my enthusiasm not dampened, but diving back into the world of Eora with a fresh viewpoint has granted me countless hours of pleasure. My journey through The Living Lands has been filled with endless discovery, vibrant battles, engaging dialogues, and intriguing narratives. Avowed is nothing short of enjoyable, and it ranks among the most outstanding first-party Xbox games I’ve experienced in the past year, alongside Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

As a tech-loving gamer, I must admit that while Avowed undeniably showcases an impressive world and engaging combat, it falls short in certain areas compared to the colossal RPGs I’ve come across. Even with a few extra months of fine-tuning, there are still some performance issues and minor glitches to iron out. However, despite these hiccups, Avowed has managed to grip me entirely, captivating me from its immersive world design to the intricate combat mechanics. Contrary to what others might say, Avowed isn’t Obsidian’s reimagining of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, but it certainly encapsulates that same enchanting magic that makes every corner brim with untold possibilities.

Avowed review: What is it?

Avowed is a first/third-person fantasy RPG from Xbox Game Studios.
It’s set in Eora, the fictional universe from the Pillars of Eternity games.

In a fresh development, Avowed is an upcoming franchise set within the established Pillars of Eternity universe, following on from the storyline of Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. This game introduces players to The Living Lands for the first time and is crafted to be accessible to both newcomers and long-time enthusiasts of the celebrated CRPG (computer role-playing game) series. As you explore the world of Eora, you’ll encounter its diverse array of gods, cultures, and peoples in a revitalized perspective, while also experiencing the enduring impact and power of the soul.

Created by Obsidian Entertainment (known for titles like Grounded, Pentiment, The Outer Worlds, among others) and published by Xbox Game Studios, Avowed is an immersive, semi-open fantasy RPG that offers the flexibility to be played from either a third or first-person viewpoint. This role-playing game doesn’t adhere to traditional class systems; instead, players are free to customize their characters by combining weapons, abilities, and skills in any way they prefer.

In terms of plot, Avowed centers around the adventures of an Aedyran Envoy, who serves as the emperor’s official representative. This character is assigned to journey to The Living Lands in order to investigate the Dreamscourge, a baffling affliction that has been ravaging the land, its flora, fauna, and now even its people. The Dreamscourge corrupts their souls, transforming them into mindless beings driven by violence. As the envoy, your responsibility is to uncover the origin of the Dreamscourge while traveling with newfound companions – a journey that might also lead you to uncover the secrets of your divine heritage.

On February 18, 2025, the game titled “Avowed” will be available for play on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and through Xbox Game Pass (Ultimate, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming tiers). Premium Edition and Premium Upgrade owners can enjoy early access from February 13, 2025. If you’re interested, consider purchasing it now at Best Buy for a price starting from $69.99.

Avowed review: Performance and presentation

Avowed adapts a stylized art design with vibrant, saturated environments.
The game looks amazing, with truly stunning world design.
Performance is also solid, but there are framerate drops and other concerns.

In contrast to the somber tone suggested by its debut trailer or the photorealistic aesthetics common in top-tier RPGs and action-adventure games, Obsidian Entertainment infused The Living Lands with a sense of vitality. The game is divided into four primary zones, each unique and visually differentiated from the others. These differences are noticeable upon entering each zone and are not obscured by loading times.

In Dawnshore, golden beaches meet lush plains, while rocky cliffs and towering mountains add a sense of peril. Emerald Stair is a verdant paradise filled with dense foliage, tall trees, and an array of vibrant fungi. Scattersharp showcases an ancient seabed, iron-rich deserts, and breathtaking cliffs that stretch far and wide. Galawain’s Tusks stands out for its active volcano and flowing lava. Each region offers glimpses into both old and new civilizations, with settlements and ruins alike enticing visitors. There are countless unique characteristics that make each region truly special.

In an outstanding fashion, Obsidian has crafted a lively, vertically oriented universe brimming with life; the textures and colors are captivating, and each setting appears authentic yet maintains the necessary interactivity and destructibility for gameplay. The inhabitants of The Living Lands, mirroring their environment, exhibit a variety of clothing and architectural styles that uniquely identify each locale you explore, while the creatures and adversaries you’ll encounter also boast distinct personalities. Avowed’s artistic design and style are exceptional, setting it apart from the sea of other fantasy RPGs.

The audio design is top-notch as well, featuring clear ambient sounds, rewarding sound effects, heartfelt voice acting, and a lovely soundtrack that, while not extraordinarily unique, perfectly captures the essence of The Living Lands. From visual and auditory perspectives, Obsidian Entertainment truly excelled in their work.

In my opinion, it’s during the animated sequences where you start noticing the somewhat confined reach of Avowed. The movements, dialogue-related facial expressions, and character actions are decent, but they often suffer from oddly low frame rates, latency issues, or minor visual glitches. From sluggish mice that appear to be moving at around five frames per second to characters speaking in a snail’s pace, the animations in Avowed seem less refined compared to its visually appealing environments and overall presentation.

In a similar vein, I could express that the game’s performance is just as impressive. Avowed boasts gaming modes running at 30 and 40 FPS on Xbox Series X and S, and a 60 FPS mode on Xbox Series X, generally delivering an outstanding experience. The framerates are smooth, visuals are crisp and consistent, and even intense battles filled with dazzling particle effects, explosions, and spells don’t slow the game significantly. However, some sections of the game are affected by intermittent framerate drops, particularly in the latter stages and even on the top-performing 60 FPS mode.

The game called Avowed may encounter difficulties running smoothly even on high-performance handheld gaming devices. Our team at Windows Central has found it challenging to get the game functioning on the Steam Deck at all. If you are under the impression that Avowed will run flawlessly on your budget or non-gaming laptop, make sure to check the game’s PC requirements beforehand to avoid any potential issues.

As an analyst, I can express it this way: Delaying Avowed by Obsidian undoubtedly influenced the game’s overall performance and stability, yet it’s evident that some additional refinements are required. Throughout my playtime, I’ve noticed a few minor visual anomalies, but there have also been several more significant bugs and problems that warrant attention.

My coworker, Rebecca Spear, accidentally fell from a building with an unresponsive door, leaving me with two unfinished tasks. First, some enemies I defeated failed to drop the required loot for a bounty completion, and second, two out of three individuals I needed to interact with declined (possibly due to our previous conversation about their related quest).

This version aims to simplify the original text while maintaining its essence, using clearer language and avoiding jargon.

In summary, while there might be room for improvement, Avowed can still offer an enjoyable gaming experience with smooth gameplay. It’s noteworthy that Obsidian Entertainment has provided information about the day one patch of Avowed, which we didn’t get to test during our review period. This update is substantial, addressing numerous issues and potentially resolving most of the bugs experienced by the Windows Central team. I’ll revisit this section if it appears that Avowed significantly improves in stability and polish following its official release.

Avowed review: Gameplay experience

Avowed’s gameplay centers around exploration and combat elements.
Combat is class-less and diverse, allowing you to build two loadouts.
Exploration also feels great, with fun traversal and plenty of secrets.

As I delve into the world of Avowed for the first time, it appears that it shares some similarities with Skyrim in terms of fluidity and smooth gameplay. However, upon closer inspection, this fantasy RPG by Obsidian clearly carves its own niche. Unlike an action RPG that emphasizes fast-paced, highly responsive combat, Avowed focuses on crafting a diverse set of abilities and weapons, which complement a reliable, tactile movement system. I find myself navigating The Living Lands with agility, leaping, crouching, dodging, clambering, and even parkouring. Each hand is equipped with distinct gear, and I have access to an assortment of exclusive spells and abilities that add a unique twist to my adventures.

Having the freedom to individually select items for each hand and swiftly transition between two loadouts brings about a wealth of options. You can wield a grimoire containing four distinct spells along with a spear, followed by a rapid switch to a pair of potent pistols. At all times, you’ll have access to your individual skills, mastered spells, projectiles, consumables, and companion abilities through the radial menu. The choices you make will significantly influence your blocking and parrying capabilities, attack speed and efficiency, dodging agility, range and power, among other factors.

In a classless system, you have the liberty to combine fighter, ranger, and wizard skills according to your preference, and you can easily reassign these abilities or even distribute attribute points whenever you desire. I adjusted my strategy on two occasions when I discovered equipment that I couldn’t resist acquiring, such as abandoning magic for a potent bow that discharges arcing lightning with its bolts. This system offers numerous paths to engage in combat, and the battles themselves are both chaotic and rewarding.

In Avowed, I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of wielding a colossal, ever-bleeding greatsword against opponents, casting a series of powerful spells alongside my sword attacks, or even teleporting to another realm for a stunning ambush on an unaware enemy. The combat in this game just feels right. What makes each fight more engaging is the ability to exploit the surroundings, such as shocking puddles, igniting oil slicks, and chilling foes before shattering them, which adds a dynamic touch to every skirmish.

I prefer the more leisurely speed of battles in this game, but what irks me is the occasional sluggishness of character development. Sometimes, the advancement seems too gradual, and the improvements you gain from each level up or skill point aren’t always immediately apparent. I’d appreciate it if the jump in abilities per level were a bit larger, or if levels came more frequently, to make those progress markers feel more significant. The most impactful changes will come from unique equipment, but the stat enhancements and effects of much of that gear seem surprisingly underwhelming, and only weapons offer any form of customization through enchantments.

Discovering new gear and resources for upgrading your equipment in Avowed always seems rewarding. The game’s world is consistently engaging, with its varied environments providing endless possibilities for discovery. From ruins and cities to underwater treasures hidden in caves or buried deep within crevices, or clifftop camps reached after challenging climbs, there are numerous hidden gems waiting to inspire you to modify your character’s build.

I had a blast delving into The Living Lands to uncover hidden battles with powerful bosses, undiscovered mysteries, and unsolved riddles. While many discoveries consist of crafting resources and puzzles are generally straightforward, Avowed manages to preserve the enchantment that makes exploring in iconic games such as Skyrim so consistently engaging. The game offers unique experiences, concealed missions, and intriguing insights into the world of Eora and the history of The Living Lands, making exploration rewarding, especially because you never really know where the next hidden gem will pop up.

1. Inflict burn, freeze, electric shock, poison, bleeding wounds, temporary paralysis, and stun upon your adversaries.

2. Discover the hidden riches within The Living Lands’ vaults.

3. Enhance your character’s fighting skills, movement capabilities, and dialogue options.

4. Aid the individuals you encounter during your journey.

5. There’s a significant amount of tasks to accomplish, and you can easily devote a considerable amount of time to them.

6. Contrary to initial expectations, Avowed is more expansive than previously suggested.

Avowed review: Story, world, and characters

Avowed’s story is interesting and well-written, tying into existing lore.
Characters are also multi-dimensional with fantastic voice acting.
Decisions have noticeable and long-lasting impacts in quests.

Avowed’s tale can be briefly outlined as follows: The Aedyr Empire holds significant importance in The Living Lands, a territory known for its lawlessness and harboring misfits and outcasts. The empire has dispatched its military forces to impose law and order there. However, an ominous plague, which strikes at the very core of the soul, is causing chaos, decimating farms, and metamorphosing both people and animals. As a representative of Aedyr, you are tasked with investigating this Dreamscourge to prevent it from ravaging The Living Lands any further.

This tale is captivating, encompassing topics such as political disputes, social and economic turmoil, nationalism, the allure and dread of scientific advancements, the influence of religious extremism, among others. As you traverse through The Living Lands, you’ll not only discover more about yourself but also about the inhabitants of this land. Moreover, it is revealed that your arrival in The Living Lands was predestined, as your presence here alters its fate. Consequently, the choices you make throughout the story have profound and enduring consequences.

In a commendable fashion, Obsidian Entertainment allows you to mold your character as the envoy of your preference. Although the character creation process may not delve deeply into an RPG setting, it offers ample customization options for your appearance, initial attributes, and even your personal history (which often influences your dialogue choices). The actions and decisions you make during missions carry weight, and the sequence in which you accomplish quests, as well as the side quests you opt to undertake, can pave the way for fresh opportunities or unforeseen challenges later on.

As a researcher delving into the captivating world of ‘Avowed’, I’ve discovered that certain side missions aren’t just optional activities; they hold significant impacts on your journey. For instance, helping a woman early in the game could spare you from a confrontation with smugglers down the line. Assisting a business owner in safeguarding her livelihood might even convert an adversary into an unexpected ally.

The main narrative is undeniably captivating, filled with unexpected twists and turns, exceptional writing, and compelling stakes. However, it’s the side quests that truly set ‘Avowed’ apart. Although they may be shorter than expected, I can’t help but feel grateful for every one I’ve managed to complete during my playthrough. They add depth and richness to this immersive universe.

In Avowed, the characters are skillfully crafted and portrayed, particularly the companions, who stand out for their unique, complex personalities. These characters aren’t just battle-friendly NPCs; they’re influenced by your choices and actions, transforming them into dynamic entities that offer ample roleplay opportunities – alas, no romance is involved (I can only imagine how much better it would be). Additionally, the inhabitants of The Living Lands are generally intriguing, even those with whom you have minimal interaction. Interacting with this captivating world remains an enjoyable experience throughout your journey.

I simply yearn for a greater imprint of yours beyond the realms of quests. Wreaking havoc by destroying properties, swiping everything in sight, or even attempting to assault random characters has little consequence other than an occasional remark; your actions during quests matter, yet beyond those directed scenarios, your influence on the world is mainly confined to slaying foes and gathering loot. It would be ideal if players could affect the world more broadly, but the dialogue serves as a subtle indication that Obsidian didn’t envision Avowed as their grandest or most ambitious RPG endeavor.

Even with its narrower scope, Avowed significantly gains from being set within the expansive universe of Eora. The rich lore and history of this world are virtually bottomless, and your adventures in The Living Lands draw upon the exceptional world-building that Obsidian Entertainment is renowned for.

Avowed review: Accessibility and approachability

Avowed provides plenty of options for customizing the HUD and controls.
It’s also designed to be an approachable game with clear interfaces.
Localization is a little limited, with some languages not available at launch.

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios puts a lot of resources into making their games accessible, which is why I wasn’t worried about Avowed. Fundamentally, this game is designed to be user-friendly with an intuitive control layout, a clean and readable interface, regular and comprehensive tutorials, and numerous extra features to help you grasp the world and its gameplay mechanics.

You can personalize not only the gameplay controls and interface but also fine-tune various aspects of them. For instance, you can remap individual controls, adjust camera settings to suit your playstyle, and control when certain interface elements appear. Additionally, there are options to modify combat mechanics with assist features for aiming, dodging, and blocking, as well as detailed audio settings. Furthermore, you’ll find a wide range of subtitle and dialogue customization options.

In Avowed, you’ll find a field-of-view (FOV) adjustment and gamma settings, but unfortunately, it doesn’t offer color-blind modes. However, it excels at integrating audio and visual signals for combat and exploration, which should provide a harmonious experience for those with auditory or visual disabilities.

In terms of localization, Avowed falls short compared to expectations, as it has been a challenge for Xbox in the past. At present, only the voiceovers are offered in English, while subtitles can be found in English, Simplified Chinese, German, Italian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Mexico), and Russian. French will initially have an unpolished translation, which will be refined in a post-launch update. Regrettably, Korean and Japanese support will not be available at launch but will be added within a month following the release of Avowed.

It would be great if Avowed included voice overs in a wider range of languages, as currently it lacks subtitles for languages such as Arabic, Swedish, Dutch, among others. Xbox could benefit from enhancing their localization efforts overall.

Avowed review: Final thoughts

You should play this if …

✅You’re looking for an accessible fantasy RPG with first-class worldbuilding

Obsidian Entertainment stands out for its exceptional world creation, and the game Avowed serves as another impressive addition to their portfolio. Avowed offers an inviting, user-friendly, and downright entertaining experience in the realm of fantasy role-playing games. It provides ample chances to immerse yourself in your custom character and leave a lasting impression on the world.

✅You’re a Pillars of Eternity fan looking to jump back into Eora

In Eora, there’s a vibrant blend of history and enchantment, making it stand out among continents. The Living Lands, in particular, is an exquisitely disorderly paradise. While playing Pillars of Eternity isn’t necessary to enjoy Avowed, those who have will delight in the numerous references and winks to established lore, particularly the elements that align with choices made during Pillars of Eternity games.

You should not play this if …

❌You want to play a massive RPG that’ll take 100+ hours to complete

If you’re the type who relishes spending countless hours exploring a single game world and appreciates complex layers of systems to maintain your engagement, Avowed may not deliver as expected. Despite being larger than anticipated, it leans towards a more concentrated, less expansive RPG compared to games such as Baldur’s Gate 3 or Dragon’s Dogma 2.

In a different take from Obsidian Entertainment’s version of Skyrim, Avowed doesn’t merely mimic its charm, but rather, it embodies an elusive, difficult-to-measure allure that compels you to focus on seemingly insignificant details in the distance, such as a distant boulder. This fascination keeps you anchored until your curiosity overcomes and leads you off your intended path to examine it closely. Exploring in Avowed is rewarding; you’ll uncover hidden gems like a deserted cave inhabited by spiders and their victims, a clandestine love nest left behind by two enigmatic figures filled with mementos of their romance, or crumbling remnants of an ancient civilization barely remembered by most.

In simpler terms, it was mentioned that Avowed would have approximately 15-20 hours for the main story, much like The Outer Worlds. However, my experience in The Living Lands exceeded 50 hours, and I’m not certain I uncovered everything. What stands out is that exploring in Avowed is more enjoyable than it was in The Outer Worlds, and its world appears more comprehensive. A diverse combat system, stunning graphics, and an engaging narrative contribute to making Avowed one of the most entertaining RPGs I’ve played in a while.

Although Obsidian Entertainment is working diligently to fix lingering bugs and improve performance, it’s worth noting that Avowed’s scope might be slightly smaller than some of the bigger AAA RPGs on the market. Additionally, while Avowed isn’t the most affordable game in its category, it’s already shaping up to be a strong contender for Game of the Year. As of now, you can purchase Avowed starting at $69.99 from Best Buy, available for both Xbox and PC platforms.

2025-02-13 17:12