Obsidian Entertainment has built a reputation for delivering rich RPG experiences, and Avowed, their latest title, is no exception. Set in the world of Eora, familiar to fans of Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity, the game brings players to the Living Lands, a mysterious and volatile island where political tensions and supernatural threats collide. As an envoy of the Aedyr Empire, players embark on a mission to investigate a deadly plague, only to uncover deeper, more personal connections to the land and its secrets. The narrative is well-crafted, with choices that influence the world and its characters, though some players may find the political storyline to be more linear than expected. While the writing for the main story doesn’t always reach the heights of Obsidian’s best work, the strong character development -especially in the game’s companions – helps elevate the experience.
From a gameplay perspective, Avowed embraces an action RPG approach with a first-person (and optional third-person) perspective. The combat system is flexible, allowing players to mix magic and melee freely without rigid class restrictions. This freedom encourages experimentation, but the lack of clearly defined archetypes might disappoint those who enjoy more structured role-playing experiences. Combat itself is dynamic and engaging, with a stamina-based system and a variety of weapons, spells, and ranged options to utilize. However, enemy variety is somewhat lacking, leading to encounters that can feel repetitive over time. Additionally, stealth mechanics are underdeveloped, limiting alternative approaches to combat scenarios.
Exploration is a major highlight of the game, with large, interconnected areas that encourage players to uncover hidden paths, environmental puzzles, and meaningful side quests. While not a fully open world, the game’s vertical design and richly detailed environments make traversal enjoyable. The world of the Living Lands feels alive, with distinct biomes and ecosystems that add to the sense of discovery. However, mission difficulty does not scale with the player’s level, which can sometimes lead to imbalances – earlier areas may become too easy, while certain late-game encounters may demand additional grinding. The loot system, which relies on weapon and armor rarity, can also feel inconsistent, as common items often flood the inventory, making upgrades less rewarding than they could be when you’re faced with small incremental improvements rather than an exciting new piece of gear.
Character relationships play an important role, with companions that feel well-integrated into the story. Each has their own backstory and personal questlines, and their development is influenced by player choices. Dialogue remains one of Obsidian’s strengths, offering moments of genuine depth and emotional weight. However, despite the narrative’s strong character focus, some players may find that the overarching political conflicts lack complexity, with major choices often reserved for later in the game rather than being woven throughout the experience.
Visually, Avowed is impressive, utilizing Unreal Engine 5.3 to deliver stunning landscapes and atmospheric environments. The Living Lands are beautifully crafted, with dynamic lighting, detailed textures, and strong artistic direction that brings the world to life. However, some minor texture issues and animation stiffness can occasionally break immersion, particularly in non-combat sequences. The performance on Xbox Series X is generally smooth, with quality and performance modes available, though occasional bugs and minor technical hiccups can still occur. Compared to past Obsidian titles, Avowed represents a clear step forward in polish, benefiting from the studio’s increased resources under Xbox Game Studios.
Audio design is another strong point, with a moving soundtrack that enhances exploration and key story moments. Voice acting is solid, helping to bring characters to life, while sound effects, particularly in combat, carry a satisfying weight, reinforcing the impact of weapons and spells. The environmental audio work also stands out, with ambient sounds that help create a sense of place within the Living Lands.
Despite its strengths, Avowed has some areas where it falls short of its potential. The lack of a New Game Plus mode limits long-term replayability, and while multiple endings encourage different playthroughs, the inability to revisit unfinished quests after completing the game is a missed opportunity. Additionally, while the RPG systems offer flexibility, they lack the depth and refinement seen in some of the genre’s best titles. The absence of crime consequences, for instance, reduces immersion, as players can steal from or attack NPCs without repercussions.
Overall, Avowed is a compelling RPG that showcases Obsidian’s strengths in storytelling, character development, and world-building. While it doesn’t revolutionize the genre, it delivers an engaging and visually impressive experience that will satisfy fans of narrative-driven action RPGs. Some repetitive gameplay elements, a somewhat shallow political storyline, and minor technical issues hold it back from reaching the heights of the very best RPGs, but for those looking for an immersive journey through the world of Eora, Avowed is well worth the adventure and a really strong narrative-driven RPG.
Score: 8.3/10
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