Avowed Review: Does Obsidian’s RPG Live Up to the Hype?

Avowed Review: Does Obsidian’s RPG Live Up to the Hype?

Avowed has finally arrived, and after years of anticipation, Obsidian Entertainment’s latest RPG is here to challenge the giants of the genre. In this Avowed Review, we dive into the gameplay, story, and combat mechanics to see if it lives up to expectations.

Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, this first-person fantasy RPG promised deep storytelling, dynamic combat, and meaningful choices. But does it deliver?

After hours of exploring the Living Lands, battling deadly foes, and uncovering hidden secrets, here’s our full Avowed Review.

First Impressions: A World Worth Exploring

From the moment you step into the Living Lands, it’s clear that Avowed is crafted with care. The world feels alive, with lush landscapes, towering ruins, and cities teeming with political intrigue. Unlike the isometric style of Pillars of Eternity, this game throws you into a fully immersive first-person experience—and it works beautifully.

The visuals are a mix of realism and stylised fantasy, reminiscent of The Outer Worlds but with a darker, more grounded atmosphere. While not quite as graphically advanced as some AAA RPGs, the art direction and environmental storytelling make up for any shortcomings.

A Story Driven by Choice

Obsidian is known for branching narratives, and Avowed excels in this regard. Every decision you make—whether siding with a faction, engaging in diplomacy, or using brute force—has lasting consequences.

The story begins with your arrival in the Living Lands, a mystical and politically unstable region where various factions struggle for power. As a warrior or mage, you’re thrust into this conflict, uncovering a deeper mystery that could change the fate of Eora.

Dialogue options are extensive, offering multiple ways to approach situations. Whether you prefer diplomacy, deception, or direct combat, Avowed ensures that your choices truly matter.

Gameplay: Engaging, But Not Revolutionary

While the story shines, the combat system is where Avowed falls slightly short of expectations.

Combat: Fast-Paced But Familiar

The game features melee, ranged, and magic-based combat, allowing for various playstyles. While dual-wielding swords, shooting arrows, or casting fireballs feels satisfying, the mechanics don’t introduce anything groundbreaking. If you’ve played Skyrim, you’ll find the first-person combat familiar, but with smoother animations and improved magic interactions.

Enemies are well-designed, but AI can feel predictable at times. Some boss fights provide a real challenge, but standard encounters can become repetitive.

Magic System: A Standout Feature

One of the game’s strongest aspects is its magic system. Spells feel powerful, with elemental attacks, teleportation abilities, and rune-based enchantments adding variety. Unlike typical RPGs where magic is just another weapon, Avowed integrates it deeply into the world, making mages feel genuinely formidable.

Exploration: Open-World or Not?

Unlike fully open-world RPGs, Avowed opts for a semi-open world approach, featuring large, interconnected zonesrather than one massive map. This design keeps the world dense with meaningful content, ensuring you never feel lost in empty space.

There are plenty of side quests, hidden lore, and interesting NPCs, making exploration rewarding. However, fast travel is limited, meaning some backtracking can feel tedious.

Companions: Strong Personalities, But Limited Interaction

Companions in Avowed bring depth to the story. Each character has their own background, motivations, and personal questlines. However, compared to games like Dragon Age or The Outer Worlds, companion interactions feel somewhat limited.

While you can influence their loyalty and hear their perspectives, romance options are missing, which may disappoint some players who enjoy deeper character relationships.

Performance & Graphics: A Mixed Bag

Optimisation on Xbox and PC

On Xbox Series X|S, Avowed runs at a stable 60 FPS, with smooth combat and minimal load times. However, some textures and lighting effects feel slightly outdated compared to other next-gen RPGs.

On PC, performance is strong, with customisable settings to enhance visuals. The game supports ray tracing, but occasional frame drops can occur in crowded areas.

Soundtrack & Voice Acting

The music and voice acting are exceptional. The orchestral score brings epic moments to life, while the voice performances add depth to key characters. Environmental sounds, from howling winds to the clash of steel, enhance the immersion.

How It Compares to Other RPGs

Is Avowed just another Skyrim clone, or does it carve its own path? Let’s compare:

While Avowed draws inspiration from Skyrim and The Outer Worlds, it stands out with its rich storytelling, faction-driven dynamics, and magic system.

Final Verdict: A Strong RPG With Some Flaws

Pros:

✔️ Engaging story with real choices
✔️ Beautifully designed world
✔️ Satisfying magic system
✔️ Strong voice acting and soundtrack
✔️ Well-written factions and lore

Cons:

❌ Combat feels familiar, not revolutionary
❌ Some enemy AI lacks challenge
❌ Companion interactions could be deeper
❌ Backtracking can feel tedious

Avowed is a fantastic RPG that excels in storytelling and world-building. While the combat isn’t groundbreaking, and some areas could be more polished, Obsidian has delivered a worthy addition to the fantasy RPG genre. If you love deep narratives, moral choices, and immersive magic systems, Avowed is a game you won’t want to miss.

If this has sparked an interest why not click here to purchase on Xbox?

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