Obsidian Entertainment is known for crafting deep, story-driven RPGs, and Avowed is no exception. As a spin-off set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, it introduces players to a vibrant world filled with lore, exploration, and fast-paced combat. But while Avowed gets many things right, it also stumbles in key areas, leaving it just shy of greatness.

Story & Setting

Set in the world of Eora, Avowed places you in the role of an envoy from the Aedyr Empire, sent to the mysterious Living Lands to investigate a soul-corrupting plague. The premise is intriguing, and the world is rich with history and culture, but the narrative doesn’t fully capitalize on its potential. While the main story offers some interesting twists, the lack of strong character development and meaningful choices makes it feel less impactful than it could have been. NPCs often come across as lifeless, and dialogue choices rarely carry significant consequences, diminishing the weight of player decisions.

A warrior exploring a stunning landscape at sunset in Avowed, with mountains and ruins in the background.
Exploring the breathtaking world of Avowed as the sun sets over the Living Lands.

Gameplay & Combat

Where Avowed truly shines is in its gameplay. The game offers three main playstyles: Warrior, Ranger, and Mage. Each class has its own distinct abilities, allowing for a diverse range of combat strategies.

I personally opted for a Warrior-Ranger hybrid, wielding a massive two-handed hammer for devastating melee attacks and an Arquebus musket for long-range precision. The weight and impact of the hammer felt incredible, especially when delivering charged attacks that sent enemies flying. At a distance, the musket was a lifesaver, rewarding careful aim with critical headshots for instant kills. The ability to swap between these two weapons fluidly made combat feel dynamic and engaging.

The melee and ranged mechanics are well-designed, with heavy attacks, timed parries, and dodging creating a responsive and rewarding combat system. The inclusion of critical headshots for ranged weapons added an extra layer of strategy, making each encounter feel both tactical and exhilarating. Combat is reminiscent of God of War, with its emphasis on well-timed counters and movement, making battles feel intense and engaging.

A player character stands near a riverbank in front of a massive medieval-style fortress at sunset in Avowed.
Exploring the world of Avowed — the player pauses beneath a towering fortress during a radiant sunset in Obsidian’s upcoming fantasy RPG.

Exploration & World Design

Eora is a visually stunning world, and Avowed encourages exploration by rewarding players with valuable loot, crafting materials, and hidden lore. The Living Lands are beautifully crafted, with diverse biomes that keep the journey fresh and exciting.

However, enemy variety is a weak point. While the world is expansive, the repetition of enemy types—Xaurips, spiders, undead, and pirates—can make combat encounters feel predictable. A broader range of foes would have added more excitement to exploration and battles.

Graphics & Presentation

One of Avowed’s strongest aspects is its presentation. The game’s environments are breathtaking, with detailed textures, atmospheric lighting, and a strong sense of place. Character models and animations, however, are somewhat lacking, particularly in dialogue scenes where NPCs can feel stiff and unexpressive.

A player character in Avowed approaches two NPCs standing near a glowing purple crystal in a desert canyon environment.
In Avowed, the player confronts mysterious allies near a vibrant magical crystal deep within a desert canyon during the “Fires in the Mine” quest.

Verdict

Avowed is a well-crafted RPG with solid gameplay, an engaging combat system, and a gorgeous world to explore. However, its shortcomings in storytelling, character depth, and enemy variety prevent it from reaching its full potential. Despite these flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed my time smashing enemies with my hammer and picking them off with well-placed musket shots. Fans of action RPGs will still find plenty to enjoy, but those looking for a deeply immersive narrative experience may be left wanting more.

Final Score: 3/5

Rating: 3 out of 5.