Developer – Obsidian Entertainment

Publisher – Xbox Game Studios

Platforms –   PS5, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, PC (Reviewed)

Review copy given by Publisher

Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, set in the rich and immersive world of Eora, originally introduced in the Pillars of Eternity series. The game transports players to the Living Lands, a wild and enigmatic island teeming with ancient magic, sentient vegetation, and ever-shifting landscapes filled with hidden secrets. This vibrant yet treacherous frontier sets the stage for an epic journey, where the land itself reacts to the player’s presence. More than just a setting, the Living Lands feels like a living entity, pulsing with arcane energy and an ever-present sense of danger.

Players step into the role of an envoy from the Aedyr Empire, dispatched to investigate a strange and unnatural plague spreading across the island. What begins as a mission of duty soon turns into something far more personal, as the land seems to recognize and draw the player toward a greater destiny. Every choice made throughout the adventure carries weight, influencing the fate of the island’s inhabitants, its creatures, and even the player’s own soul. Encounters—whether friend or foe—will test the player’s convictions, shaping the course of the story in profound ways.

The island is a sprawling, unpredictable frontier, home to diverse and dynamic environments—each with its own unique ecosystem and perils. From dense, sentient forests where the flora shifts as if it has a will of its own, to jagged mountains and unstable terrain that reshapes itself unpredictably, the Living Lands is a place of constant discovery and danger. Its varied landscapes teem with magical creatures, lost ruins, and remnants of a long-forgotten civilization. Every corner of the island holds a story waiting to be uncovered.

As players venture deeper, they’ll encounter the island’s inhabitants, each grappling with the chaos of the plague in their own way. The Living Lands is not just a stage for adventure but a responsive world shaped by the player’s choices. Every decision impacts the land and its people, creating a dynamic and immersive experience. Whether navigating treacherous terrain, battling formidable foes, or uncovering buried truths, the Living Lands will test resolve at every turn. It is a place where adventure and peril intertwine, and where the line between savior and harbinger of destruction is drawn by the player’s own hand.

Combat in Avowed is as dynamic and versatile as the Living Lands themselves, offering players a wide array of options to tailor their playstyle. Whether you prefer to charge into battle with a sword and shield, unleash devastating spells from a distance, or strategically pick off enemies with a bow or gun, the game encourages you to mix and match weapons and abilities to suit your approach. This flexibility ensures that every encounter feels fresh and engaging, as you adapt your tactics to the challenges at hand. The combat system is designed to be intuitive yet deep, allowing players to experiment with different combinations of melee, ranged, and magical attacks to create their own unique fighting style.

Magic plays a central role in combat, with players able to dig into their grimoire to unleash a variety of spells that can trap, freeze, burn, or otherwise incapacitate enemies. These spells not only deal damage but also offer strategic advantages, such as controlling the battlefield or creating opportunities for follow-up attacks. For those who prefer a more direct approach, melee combat is equally satisfying, with swords and shields allowing you to bash, block, and strike with precision. Shields, in particular, add a layer of tactical depth, enabling you to defend against incoming attacks while setting up counterattacks or creating openings for your allies.

Ranged combat is another key pillar of Avowed’s gameplay, with bows and guns providing the ability to attack from a distance and take down enemies before they can close the gap. This is especially useful in the Living Lands, where the diverse environments and ecosystems often demand adaptability. Whether you’re facing off against a towering beast in a dense forest or navigating the unstable terrain of a volcanic region, the ability to switch seamlessly between melee, magic, and ranged attacks ensures that you’re always prepared for whatever the island throws at you.

In Avowed, you’ll also come across many companions, companions are more than just allies in battle—they are integral to the story, each bringing their own unique personalities, abilities, and quests to your journey through the Living Lands. These companions come from a diverse spread of species and backgrounds, reflecting the rich tapestry of the world of Eora. Whether it’s a hardened former mercenary with a troubled past or an eccentric wizard whose knowledge of magic is as vast as it is unpredictable, each companion adds depth and complexity to your adventure. They are not just there to fight alongside you but to grow and evolve as characters, shaped by the choices you make and the bonds you form with them.

Each companion comes with their own set of unique abilities, making them valuable assets in combat. For example, the former mercenary might excel in close-quarters combat, wielding a massive two-handed sword to cleave through enemies, while the eccentric wizard could unleash powerful spells that manipulate the battlefield, trapping foes in vines or summoning fiery explosions. These abilities can be strategically combined with your own skills, allowing for dynamic and synergistic combat encounters. Whether you need a tank to draw enemy fire, a spellcaster to control the flow of battle, or a ranged specialist to pick off targets from afar, your companions provide the flexibility to adapt to any situation.

Beyond their combat prowess, companions in Avowed are deeply tied to the narrative, with their own personal quests and motivations. As you travel through the Living Lands, you’ll have the opportunity to help them confront their pasts, achieve their goals, or overcome their fears. These quests are not just side stories but meaningful arcs that can change the course of their lives—and yours. Your choices in these moments will shape their development, influencing how they view you, the world, and themselves. Will you inspire them to become better versions of themselves, or will your actions lead them down a darker path? The relationships you build with your companions are as important as the battles you fight together.

The bonds you form with your companions are not static; they evolve based on your interactions and decisions. Dialogue choices, quest outcomes, and even your behavior in combat can affect how they perceive you. Some companions may grow to respect and trust you, while others might clash with your methods or ideals. These dynamics add a layer of emotional depth to the game, as you navigate the complexities of loyalty, friendship, and betrayal. A companion who starts as a reluctant ally could become your closest confidant, while another might turn against you if your choices conflict with their values.

Companions also bring their own perspectives to the story, offering insights and commentary on the events unfolding around you. Their reactions to the Living Lands, its inhabitants, and the mysterious plague provide a richer understanding of the world and its stakes. They might challenge your assumptions, offer alternative solutions to problems, or simply provide a moment of levity in the midst of danger. These interactions make the world feel alive and reactive, as your companions are not just passive followers but active participants in the journey.

The diversity of your companions ensures that no two playthroughs of Avowed will be exactly the same. Depending on who you choose to bring along, the tone and direction of your adventure can shift dramatically. A party that includes the eccentric wizard and a scholarly historian might approach challenges with curiosity and intellect, while a group led by the former mercenary and a rogueish adventurer might favor brute force and cunning. This replayability encourages players to experiment with different combinations of companions, uncovering new storylines and outcomes with each playthrough.

Avowed is a visual and auditory masterpiece, bringing the Living Lands to life with high-fidelity graphics and immersive sound design that elevate the experience to new heights. The game delivers breathtaking visuals, showcasing the weird and wonderful beauty of the island in stunning detail. From the lush, sentient forests to the eerie, shifting landscapes, every environment is crafted with care, making the Living Lands feel alive and teeming with mystery. Enhanced on PC with support for true 4K resolution and unlocked framerates, Avowed ensures smooth, seamless performance, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in its magical world. While there are occasional frame-rate drops in more densely populated or complex areas, the overall performance remains smooth, maintaining the game’s sense of fluidity and immersion.

The sound design in Avowed is equally impressive, with a rich and dynamic audio landscape that enhances the atmosphere of the Living Lands. From the hum of ancient magic in the air to the rustling of sentient flora and the distant calls of strange creatures, every sound is carefully crafted to draw you deeper into the world. The game’s soundtrack, with its haunting melodies and sweeping orchestral pieces, perfectly complements the emotional beats of the story, adding depth and resonance to your journey.

As mentioned, there are some minor flaws. Some players may encounter occasional bugs or performance hiccups, particularly in areas with dense foliage or complex lighting effects. However, these issues are relatively rare and do not detract significantly from the overall experience. The developers have shown a commitment to polishing the game, and future updates are likely to address any lingering technical concerns.

To finish, I’ll say Avowed doesn’t break any new ground regarding gameplay mechanics, world design, or storytelling. From the moment you step into the world of Eora, it feels familiar—perhaps too familiar. The first-person RPG format, the magic and melee combat system, and even the choice-driven narrative is all just inspired from Obsidian’s own Pillars of Eternity. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it does mean that Avowed struggles to carve out a distinct identity. Players who have spent time in other fantasy RPGs will find themselves quickly falling into familiar rhythms, whether it’s looting bodies, choosing dialogue options, or engaging in strategic combat.

That said, Avowed does deliver an enjoyable, if somewhat predictable, experience. The combat feels responsive and satisfying, even if it doesn’t introduce many innovative mechanics. Spells, weapons, and abilities all function as expected, and while customization options exist, they rarely feel groundbreaking. The open-world exploration offers a decent amount of content, but much of it falls into the same structure seen in countless other RPGs—clear out an area, fetch an item, defeat an enemy, rinse, and repeat. This repetitive structure, combined with a reliance on tried-and-true RPG tropes, means the game never truly surprises players.

Avowed may not revolutionize the RPG genre, but it excels in delivering a deep, challenging, and time-intensive experience. While its mechanics feel familiar, the game’s lengthy questlines, strategic battles, and rewarding character progression ensure players remain engaged. Success isn’t handed to you—it demands patience, resource management, and adaptability. With its grind-heavy structure and immersive gameplay, Avowed is less about innovation and more about commitment, offering a compelling journey that can easily stretch over dozens of hours. If you’re seeking a groundbreaking RPG, this may not be it, but for those craving a solid, rewarding adventure, Avowed is well worth the investment.