Avowed Review - Pillars of Excellency

Without a doubt, Obsidian Entertainment has built a reputation for exceptional storytelling. This was evident in 2004 with the release of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, continued with Fallout: New Vegas in 2010, and remains true even today in 2022 with the launch of Pentiment. Looking forward to 2025, we can expect Avowed to further showcase this talent.

Don’t worry, the exceptional writing style that Obsidian is known for is very much present in ‘Avowed’. Essentially, it’s Obsidian at its finest, delivering immersive stories and well-developed characters through their adventures. In other words, ‘Avowed’ is a classic example of epic fantasy, offering one of the top RPGs this decade.

In this grand role-playing journey, players will traverse the expansive continent known as The Living Lands. Tragically, those who inhabit this land face a grim destiny, as a mysterious affliction called the “Dreamscourge” not only impacts its people but also affects the wildlife and landscape of the continent. This intriguing mix creates an exciting adventure for all players.

Avowed: A Wonderful Continuation to Pillars of Eternity‘s Lore

To start off, let me express my appreciation for the backdrop of “Avowed”. It’s true that it unfolds in The Living Lands, but the world itself, named Eora, is steeped in established history. In other words, “Avowed” is set within the universe of “Pillars of Eternity”, a game initially launched in 2015, followed by “Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire” several years later in 2018.

Consequently, the game titled Avowed gives off an impression of a vibrant, breathing universe. Over the span of ten years, its lore has been carefully cultivated, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship in world-building. Notably, Carrie Patel, one of the principal authors for Pillars of Eternity, is at the helm for Avowed. Her dedication to the lore is palpable, as it’s treated with great respect here.

Absolutely, in this game, it’s you, the player, who takes center stage. You’ll hold significant control over the storyline as it unfolds across the more than 40 hours of gameplay. Along the way, there are numerous side quests, each with top-notch writing, designed to keep you engaged and entertained.

The most striking feature of Avowed‘s writing lies in its skillful portrayal of role-playing. Initially, you establish a character, but two elements remain consistent throughout all play sessions: we are divine beings hailing from the Aedyr Empire. Divine beings are a unique race in the world of Eora; they are individuals touched by the gods before birth, and this rarity significantly shapes your character.

In the game “Avowed”, the characters embodying Godlike entities might seem peculiar or unsettling due to their physical traits, which are a reflection of their divine nature. For instance, our character has mushroom-like growths on face and head. This unique appearance makes them highly recognizable in the crowd, but it can also lead to being met with disdain or fear by others.

Regardless of your decision, you can create a background for your character that links to Aedyr. For my character, I opted for a noble status, portraying an individual who was self-centered and somewhat devoid of emotion, yet unwaveringly loyal to the Empire. Driven by a duty to uncover the cause of the Dreamscourge, I pursued this task relentlessly.

The most impressive aspect of Avowed‘s writing is the ability to roleplay.

In the role given to you by the Emperor, you frequently find yourself in uncomfortable predicaments. The people of the Forgotten Lands do not welcome you, and your approach can range from a compassionate diplomat to a relentless interrogator, depending on your choices. The Empire’s intention is clear: they wish to claim the Forgotten Lands, an action typical of empires.

Choices, Choices…

It was truly enjoyable to notice the variety of dialogue options available in the game “Avowed“. Throughout conversations, I found myself considering carefully how I’d reply, and more often than not, I’d find a response option that perfectly matched my intended response.

This ties in with my initial thought: You hold significant control in shaping the narrative’s progression. There are numerous options available, ranging from trivial to impactful. Several decisions you make may resurface later, causing unwanted complications.

In “Avowed,” the consequences of your choices can range in intensity, but take comfort: The decisions you make in this game will indeed shape its outcome. Not only do you have four companions who accompany you on your journey, but they also recall your choices and aren’t shy about voicing their approval or disapproval based on your actions.

Regarding the companions, they’re a delightful group with appealing personalities. From the solitary scout Marius to the unpredictable wizard Yatzli, each character will experience their unique journeys, making them seem more authentic and relatable. They undeniably contribute in combat situations, but it’s their written portrayal that truly illuminates their individual charm.

Loot? Yes Please!

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d be hard-pressed to find the right words to express my admiration for the storyline of “Avowed”. Yet, it’s not just about the gripping narrative; the combat, loot, and exploration in this game are top-notch as well. The way Obsidian Entertainment has crafted these elements ensures that “Avowed” keeps me hooked, offering an immersive gaming experience that combines a compelling story with engaging gameplay.

In Avowed, the gameplay offers a wide range of options. You’ll find various types of weapons such as spears, swords, bows, axes, and yes, even guns. They are indeed impressive! Additionally, there’s magic in the game, complete with its own set of unique abilities that are just as developed as the other weapon types in Avowed.

As a gamer, I appreciate Obsidian’s clever design choice that allows for two interchangeable weapon loadouts in the heat of battle. In one instance, I could be creeping up on an enemy with my bow, then, once they’re alerted, all it takes is a swift switch to go hand-to-hand and defend myself.

In many cases, weapons require only one slot, enabling you to wield two simultaneously, a tactic known as dual-wielding. This versatility is highly recommended. Equipping a firearm in one hand and a magical text in the other creates a unique blend of gunplay and magic, offering a wide array of combat possibilities.

Yes, there are guns, and they are awesome.

Generally speaking, I primarily used a setup with two swords and two pistols. As you advance in the game, you can allocate points into streamlined skill trees, resulting in me developing a character more suited to dual combat.

As a gamer, I unleash a pair of well-placed pistol shots on my adversaries, either taking them down or inflicting substantial harm. These foes, frequently huddled together in groups, sense the opportunity and charge at me. In response, I leap headlong into the melee with my twin swords, slicing through the air with reckless abandon. Wielding one-handed weapons not only boosts my speed but also enhances the damage I dish out, making me a formidable opponent in any fight.

Speaking about the enemies in the game “Avowed”, one area that could use improvement is the variety of enemies. Currently, it seems like there are only a handful of types I’ve encountered so far. These mostly include lizard-like creatures known as xaurips, spiders, humanoids categorized under ‘keth’, skeletons, and bears.

Enemies come in different strengths, and I find the lack of a set leveling system quite intriguing and creative. Unlike traditional games where enemies match your level, here the challenge level is tied to the quality of items.

A Quality Way to Handle Scaling and Gear in Avowed

Initially, the entire system for enemy levels and item quality in this game might seem perplexing, but as you collect higher-quality loot and face tougher opponents, everything becomes clearer. I find the way equipment is managed in “Avowed” particularly engaging because it makes your character’s gear feel equally crucial. Among its many appealing features, unique items stand out as my personal favorite.

One-of-a-kind items, whether swords, axes, maces, or firearms, can be discovered in your journeys. Crafted by Obsidian Entertainment, these are exceptional pieces of equipment that each possess unique skills. Additionally, they come with distinctive lore text to set them apart from the rest.

I love the way loot is handled in Avowed, making gear seem just as important as your character.

Discovering these unique treasures in Avowed is exceptionally thrilling, and the sense of reward from exploring is intensely satisfying. Although some of these items can be bought from vendors or acquired as quest rewards, most of them are hidden in different ruins or stored in chests. You’ll uncover them by venturing through various nooks and crannies.

With a strong desire to discover new things, playing Avowed feels like embarking on an exhilarating journey, as you never quite know what treasures you’ll unearth along the way. Remember though, it’s essential to collect ordinary items too, due to Avowed‘s loot system. It’s in this crafting aspect where the game truly stands out. In fact, every item, regardless of its quality, can make a difference.

In this game, items are categorized as resources (some of which you can discover in the real world) and are utilized for enhancing your weapons and armor. Items seemingly worthless, such as junk, hold value due to the resources obtained from dismantling them. These resources then serve to upgrade the quality of your weapons.

You might consider enhancing the special item you discovered in the initial zone, as it could be beneficial throughout the entire game if you continue to upgrade it. I’ve had a similar experience where I utilized a pistol from the opening area for over 40 hours of gameplay, and it remained an effective weapon. By using items you enjoy, you have more freedom to choose what you want to use in the game.

Fighting for The Living Lands

In our discussion so far, we’ve focused quite a bit on equipment, but I haven’t delved much into the combat aspect yet. Despite the recurring enemies, the joy of using your preferred gear against them elevates the overall combat experience. The fast-paced battles are enjoyable and even more thrilling when you switch between different battle setups (loadouts).

Boosting my attack speed using a skill I acquired gave me the edge to swiftly defeat enemies. Enhancing my agility made me invincible. I transformed into an unstoppable force, and if you seek the thrill of being an unmatched powerhouse across all realms, then this is the place for you.

Items don’t become obsolete, which gives more agency to the player to use what they want.

In general, whatever I attempted seemed plausible, and it’s easy to change your character’s skills if you find yourself unsatisfied with the current ones. Given the variety of weapons you’ll encounter in Avowed, the game invites players to test out various combinations and builds, ensuring that each battle remains engaging if you enjoy mixing things up.

Avowed Review | Final Thoughts

This stunning game, titled “Avowed,” boasts some of the most impressive landscapes I’ve encountered in gaming. The artistic representation of The Living Lands is exceptionally well-executed, capturing the essence of a wilderness overrun by fungi in an authentic way. There are particular instances within the game that took my breath away, moments I won’t reveal but you’ll recognize when they appear.

Even though it’s not unusual for some players to encounter performance issues with this stunning game on PC, the high visual quality often comes at the cost of frame rate inconsistency. For me, the frames per second (FPS) frequently varied, particularly in urban areas and settlements – leading me to heavily rely on DLSS and frame generation. Ultimately, your gaming rig’s performance will determine your experience, but it’s crucial to be aware of this aspect when playing.

The artistic concept for The Living Lands is spot-on, skillfully conveying a wild, fungus-ridden, and unruly landscape in an appealing manner.

In terms of Avowed, it’s important to note that it currently contains several bugs. However, Obsidian Entertainment has been proactive in addressing any issues or bugs reported by reviewers. A patch is planned to resolve many problems, but given the game’s grand scale and ambition, some bugs should be anticipated. For instance, I encountered situations where I couldn’t finish a few side quests, but that was the most significant issue I experienced.

I was genuinely captivated by many aspects of Avowed. The game’s masterful management of gear and enemy progression, its engaging exploration rewards, and exceptional narrative and world development are truly remarkable. Yet, what makes it even more impressive is the enjoyable combat. Could there be anything more one could desire from an RPG? Indeed, Obsidian Entertainment has solidified its status as a top-tier developer with Avowed.

The game, titled “Avowed”, was thoroughly played for around 48 hours on a PC, using a key that was supplied by the publisher. Screenshots used in this review were captured during the playtime.

2025-02-13 17:04

Avowed Review – Pillars of Excellency