Avowed: A Promising RPG That Falls Short of Its Ambitious Goals!

2025’s highly anticipated game from Obsidian Entertainment, titled Avowed, has garnered such excitement due to its grand aspirations and the proven expertise of its team behind The Outer Worlds. Ever since its announcement, Avowed has promised a traditional role in the fantasy RPG genre, drawing heavily on Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity series for narrative inspiration, offering players an immersive, vibrant, and imaginative world to explore, and combat sequences brimming with intensity to keep them engaged. Now, Avowed is ready for release, inviting adventurers to the lands of Eora, where they will unravel the enigma surrounding a lethal plague.

Initially and even after extensive playtime, there’s no questioning that Avowed seems to have all the essential elements for an exceptional deep and enchanting fantasy RPG. Regrettably, it ends up feeling as though these components haven’t been developed sufficiently, making the overall experience seem hurried. If this was the game’s intended outcome, the story would be different. However, its clear ambition to excel at what it sets out to do makes its failure to reach its own aspirations all the more disheartening. Although Avowed succeeds in certain aspects, the majority of the journey takes place on a single path that doesn’t entice players to return in the end.

Avowed’s Choice-Driven Story Climbs High to a Plateau

Lore Is the Heart of Avowed’s World

So far, the marketing for “Avowed” has primarily shown a superficial aspect of its story, giving the impression that players are merely a powerful hero tasked with investigating a sickened land. However, beneath this surface, “Avowed’s” narrative delves significantly deeper thanks to the solid foundation provided by its deeply rooted “Pillars of Eternity” lore. Additionally, one area where “Avowed” truly shines is in offering meaningful player choices, which combined with the richness of its world, creates a story that is not only profound but also captivatingly engaging.

As a player stepping into the world of Avowed, it’s no secret that I’m an emissary of the Aedyran Empire, tasked with probing a perplexing affliction called the Dreamscourge in the Living Lands of Eora. But upon my arrival and a pivotal incident that followed, I find myself smack dab in the thick of a raging power struggle over the Living Lands. Shadows are moving subtly behind the scenes, and as the narrative unfolds, these crucial pieces gradually emerge from the darkness.

The storytelling method in Avowed is remarkably akin to GreedFall by Spiders, with striking similarities found not only in their respective plots but also in their use of lore entries and dialogues as primary storytelling tools.

Avowed is designed as a standalone adventure, though it draws inspiration from Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity series. However, newcomers who haven’t played Pillars of Eternity might find the early stages challenging due to the use of terminology that could potentially deter casual players before the game truly gets going. Nevertheless, once Avowed starts focusing on its own story and not just being an extension of the Pillars of Eternity universe, it becomes more accessible for those unfamiliar with that world to understand the game’s storyline.

Choice Is the Soul of Avowed’s Story

In the game Avowed, the narrative heavily relies on background information, or lore, to set the stage for its story. However, it’s the active involvement of players in shaping that narrative that truly defines the experience. The game places a strong emphasis on role-playing, giving players significant control over their actions by seldom providing a clear path or “right” choice. Instead, Avowed encourages exploration and self-expression, as there are no definitive “right” choices in the game. In fact, characters within the game often remind players that it’s the confidence in their decisions that truly matters.

In many Role-Playing Games (RPGs), players often encounter choices that are too straightforward, leading them to favor one path over another. However, the choices presented in “Avowed” are exceptionally gray and morally complex, which could prove challenging or frustrating for those who prefer clear guidance. Moreover, the abundance of dialogue options available in almost every interaction adds to this complexity, making it harder to determine the optimal choice.

In contrast to some challenges it might pose for players, Avowed stands out among current RPGs due to its remarkable flexibility, particularly in terms of player choice. Instead of dictating a specific character for the game’s protagonist, Avowed gives players the freedom they may not have experienced in other RPGs. It presents moral dilemmas where the outcomes are significant, yet neither the repercussions nor the superiority of one choice over another is immediately clear or undeniably better, respectively.

As a gamer delving into the world of Avowed, I’ve noticed that the companion system is uniquely designed. Unlike in other games where my decisions could lead to my companions leaving me, they stay by my side in Avowed, even if we disagree. Moreover, the absence of affinity mechanics means I don’t have to stress about losing out on a potential romance or any gameplay advantages due to upsetting my companions.

Throughout Avowed’s captivating narrative, there are crucial decisions to be made that will undoubtedly disappoint at least one of my companions, no matter the path I choose. Yet, this disappointment won’t escalate into anything that adversely affects gameplay. Instead, these companions become intrinsic parts of the story, rather than mere numbers or stats.

Avowed’s Conclusion Leaves Much to Be Desired

Given that Avowed attaches great significance to its narrative and the decisions players make along the way, it is essential that it concludes this story and those choices in a significant and impactful manner. Keep in mind, a tale’s quality can hinge greatly on its denouement. Regrettably, the ending, irrespective of the player’s choices throughout the game’s plotline, comes across as underwhelming. The tension and moral dilemmas that were established during the story simply dissipate at the game’s end, providing no chance for players to part ways with companions or other allies, and denying them opportunities to explore the world beyond the final scene.

In simpler terms, the consequences of players’ choices in the game Avowed are mainly summarized through slides and narration, rather than allowing players to directly experience them. A more immersive approach might have been preferred, such as incorporating these outcomes into cinematics or gameplay. Unfortunately, the ending of Avowed is quite minimalistic and swift, like a brief sneeze after a long breath.

In Avowed, it’s essential to understand that players’ choices do have an impact, and they matter significantly. Although the game ends with a series of images summarizing the results of your decisions, the influence of player choice is undeniably there. This characteristic could attract the dedicated role-playing audience, but for those seeking a more substantial experience, it might not offer enough depth.

It’s odd that a role-playing game with the ambition to delve as deeply as Avowed does lacks a New Game Plus mode, given its focus on player choice and character customization. In fact, some sort of post-game content would have been fitting for Avowed, since there’s no way for players to re-enter the world once they finish the story. The rewards in Avowed’s final sequence are generous with crafting materials and other valuable items, but unfortunately, these become redundant because they can’t be utilized after that point. This means any further looting in Avowed beyond its critical juncture feels unnecessary, which is disappointing since it seems like an intentional omission rather than an oversight.

In summary, although the length of a game doesn’t necessarily determine its quality, it seems that “Avowed” could have benefited from being slightly extended. My experience playing the game took approximately 50 hours, which was after completing almost every side quest and exploring each region thoroughly. There might be about 60 hours of gameplay if you consider playstyle, but it’s the imbalance between gameplay and narrative that throws things off. On its own, the story appears quite short for a modern AAA RPG, possibly due to the extensive focus on “Avowed’s” open areas and numerous optional activities. To put it another way, while completionists might spend around 60 hours exploring every aspect of “Avowed”, the story may not be more than half that length.

In Avowed, length wasn’t the goal, but rather a particular aspect I wish to discuss – the game’s companions. While players can converse extensively with their companions in Avowed, it often felt like a group of acquaintances joining forces to save the world, without genuinely connecting or growing fond of each other. This left me struggling to accept remarks from the companions about “all we’ve experienced,” as it didn’t seem that much had transpired between us. A more extensive narrative could have provided additional time for these relationships (and the companions themselves) to develop and become more meaningful.

Additionally, there’s just a single side quest named “Avowed” that accompanies each character, and although it’s exceptional and among the finest in the game, it would have been delightful if similar attention had been given to all other companions.

Avowed’s Gameplay Is at Odds With Itself

Avowed’s Combat Is a Breath of Fresh Air for First-Person RPGs

Initially, when Avowed initially revealed more of its gameplay, its combat was a major point of contention among critics. However, it’s become one of the game’s standout features now. Few first-person RPGs offer combat as swift and engaging as Avowed‘s, with melee combat being a particular highlight. Despite Obsidian stating that Avowed‘s “situational combat” would challenge players to adapt and avoid relying too heavily on a single playstyle, the game seems designed to keep encounters as up-close and personal as possible, maximizing the impact of its melee combat over other styles.

In the game Avowed, almost every adversary is highly aggressive and will swiftly target the player when given an opportunity, especially when they are part of groups. I personally found it challenging at first to engage in combat using ranged weapons because of this trait, but as the battle system grew more intricate, the firearm and magic playstyles of Avowed became increasingly impressive. Towards the end of the story in Avowed, I was granted the opportunity to craft the most powerful sword and arquebus in the game, which promptly altered my approach to playing.

In most first-person role-playing games, the combat isn’t usually as swift and immersive as what you find in “Avowed”, even when it comes to their melee combat.

In the game “Avowed”, each strike carries significant weight, be it from a player or an adversary. Occasionally, bosses and tougher enemies might seem overly durable, but the overall combat in “Avowed” has a tangible impact that is extremely gratifying and intensifies the chaotic struggle that typically ensues during most combat encounters. Regardless of whether players opt for a tank-like character, an agile rogue who dodges frequently, or a spellcaster who prefers to stay at a distance, “Avowed” offers a swift, exhilarating battle experience not commonly found in first-person RPGs.

Avowed’s Skill System Falls Short of Its Ambition

One of the standout features of the gameplay for Avowed before it’s released is the promise of an extraordinary range of build options due to its skill system. This flexibility comes from allowing players to choose skills from three distinct RPG class archetypes – Fighter, Ranger, and Wizard – without being bound to just one. The way this skill system works in Avowed is as intended. Nevertheless, there are a few obstacles that stop players from experiencing the full liberty that Avowed promises, with slow leveling pace being the main issue.

One of the exciting aspects of Avowed‘s gameplay before it comes out is the possibility for unique character builds thanks to its skill system. This versatility stems from players being able to pick skills from three different RPG class types – Fighter, Ranger, and Wizard – without being tied down to one. The way this skill system operates in Avowed is as intended. However, there are a couple of hurdles that limit the freedom players can enjoy, with slow leveling progression being the primary concern.

At first, leveling up in the game ‘Avowed’ is relatively simple, as each level grants a skill point that allows players to select an active or passive ability from their preferred skill tree. However, the pace at which levels are earned slows down considerably later on, eventually becoming discordant with the speed at which the story unfolds in the game.

When I got to the final boss battle in the game Avowed, I had almost completed all tasks and was only at Level 27, having earned just 26 skill points. This might seem like a lot, but there are 70 skills to unlock in Avowed, with most of them having at least three upgrade tiers, each requiring a skill point. To unlock and fully upgrade all skills would cost more than 200 points, which is far beyond what the game allows. Despite this, the disproportionate number of skills to available skill points means that Avowed‘s ability to offer diverse character builds remains largely untapped.

In Avowed, I found it necessary to concentrate my developmental efforts mainly on a single archetype, acquiring merely two or three skills from the other two trees. This was due to my desire to fully enhance the abilities that appealed to me, which in turn required more points to be invested in those specific skills. Consequently, I had fewer resources to allocate elsewhere for further development.

In another aspect, it would have been advantageous for the game Avowed to incorporate a New Game Plus feature, allowing players to replay the story while making alternate decisions. Not only could they revisit the narrative, but they could also collect additional skill points and further customize their characters’ builds.

However, it’s worth noting that the game does permit respecing abilities and attributes at any given moment, albeit at a financial cost. This money is crucial for the game’s gear upgrade system and its merchants. Consequently, players are not typically able to frequently respec their characters as they desire to achieve their preferred build due to these costs. In essence, while there is technically a choice to change character builds, it’s not one that most players can exercise freely throughout the game.

Avowed’s World Is Beautiful but Repetitive

One striking feature of the upcoming game “Avowed” that stands out, even before its launch, is its vibrant and awe-inspiring setting. Although not an open-world game, it offers five expansive open areas brimming with chances for exploration. The appeal of each area’s visual beauty only enhances the experience. As soon as players enter “Avowed‘s initial region, they might struggle to stick to the main path, as the alluring surroundings could tempt them in numerous directions.

Despite these areas being engaging initially, it doesn’t take much time for their gameplay to feel monotonous. By the time players reach the third region in the game ‘Avowed’, they might begin to experience the weariness that commonly occurs in open-world games. This is because each region in the game has been designed to function similarly, with only their environments and personal stories serving as the main points of distinction.

As a gamer immersed in the world of Avowed, I can’t help but notice that each region is brimming with side quests that add depth to my adventure. These aren’t just random tasks; they’re captivating tales that enrich my gaming experience and subtly shape the broader game narrative. However, when it comes to exploration, I find myself feeling a bit underwhelmed. It seems like the primary goal is to collect as many crafting materials as possible from plants, chests, and enemies. To put it simply, while each region may have a unique aesthetic, they all feel remarkably similar underneath.

Avowed adopts a unique strategy when it comes to collectibles, captivating players not through visual markers on maps, but instead with engaging audio cues.

In Avowed, the enjoyment of exploration is heightened due to its smooth and reactive parkour system. Players won’t be weighed down by sluggish climbing mechanics or unresponsive edge grabs since Avowed allows them to navigate the world effortlessly and at high speed. Moreover, the parkour system in Avowed is cleverly utilized during exploration as it often presents multiple paths to reach a specific area. For example, players might choose to climb on top of a roof to enter a building, but they could also opt to pick the lock on the door instead if they prefer.

Avowed’s Jank Is Both Charming and Frustrating

Just like traditional RPGs, Avowed comes with its fair share of quirks – some endearing, others annoying. The appealing traits include the freedom players have to traverse unintended areas of the map thanks to Avowed‘s impressive parkour system. Unfortunately, there are also bothersome glitches that can either provoke laughter or sour the experience due to their immersion-breaking nature.

In my experience playing Avowed, I encountered various issues such as enemies mysteriously appearing from different locations on the map and dialogues unexpectedly halting when I chose a certain response. During one mission, I found a chest that required a key provided by a particular NPC. However, upon finishing the quest, this NPC informed me they intended to gift me the armor in the chest, but because I had already opened it, I was unable to access it anymore. This left me unable to open the chest again. Other times, side quests would malfunction and become impossible to complete, forcing me, as a completionist, to reluctantly abandon them.

It’s likely that many of the issues with Obsidian’s upcoming game, Avowed, will be addressed during its early access phase starting on February 13. However, since a certain amount of ‘jank’ (roughness or imperfections) is typical in games like this, it might only be the most problematic, game-breaking aspects that get fixed. The gaming community should allow some leeway for such issues, as it’s a game’s overall design that can significantly impact its success or failure.

Avowed Still Has a Future Ahead of It

As a gamer, I’ve been diving into the world of “Avowed,” a game with immense promise yet struggling to reach its full potential. The foundations are strong – the intricate detail in its world, the morally complex choices, and the dynamic combat mechanics make it stand out as an ambitious RPG brimming with possibilities. However, for every strength it showcases, there’s a corresponding weakness that holds it back from true greatness.

For instance, I appreciate the game’s commitment to player agency, but the story resolution falls short of being truly rewarding. The combat is swift and gratifying, but the skill system feels vastly underutilized. The world is rich with lore and vibrancy, yet exploration soon becomes repetitive. These contradictions make “Avowed” an intriguing yet inconsistent experience, one that feels more like a promising debut than a fully realized masterpiece – more like the first step on a journey toward something greater rather than the destination itself.

Despite the achievements that Avowed has accomplished, its flaws underscore the importance of improvement in the future. In other words, there’s something valuable in Obsidian’s creation that could blossom fully if it were developed further, perhaps in a sequel. At this point, however, it is a game that will probably strike a chord with ardent RPG enthusiasts who value the impact of moral choices, but might disappoint others who feel their adventure through the Living Lands was abruptly ended at a pivotal moment when it seemed to be gaining momentum.

The game “Avowed” will be released on February 18 for both PC and Xbox Series X|S. Players who purchase the Premium Edition can gain early access starting from February 13. For this review, Game Rant received a PC code.

2025-02-13 17:13