Avowed: The Pillars-inspired Fantasy RPG That Sparks Joy and Frustration
Dive into the stunning world of Eora in Avowed, where combat, exploration, and a sprinkle of magic meet in a chaotic dance. But beware: beneath the vibrant surface lies a realm riddled with performance issues and underwhelming storytelling.
last updated Feb 16, 2025
Avowed is a stunning entry into the fantasy RPG genre, filled with tantalizing combat, stunning visuals, and an exploration system that rewards curiosity.
Combat and Customization: Bring Your A-Game
Avowed brings a robust combat system to the table, blending familiar RPG elements with a twist of first-person action that will have you dodging, blocking, and blasting away with magical flintlock pistols in no time. The build variety is impressive, offering three class skill trees—Fighter, Ranger, and Wizard—that you can mix and match to create your own bespoke version of an Eora hero. Players can discover unique gear with special effects, a feature that not only adds diversity to your arsenal but has you feeling like a true badass as you unleash chaos upon your foes. The responsiveness of the combat feels smooth, aside from the occasional hiccup of unresponsive web-designer-level animations when transitioning from magic to melee. Still, there's undeniable satisfaction in crafting your combat style and discovering new ways to unleash havoc while exploring the beautifully rendered environments. Just be ready to rely on the absurd amount of dodge rolls and heavy swings to see you through the game.
An Aural Adventure: Soundscapes That Dazzle
When it comes to sound and music, Avowed does not disappoint. The auditory experience is rich, immersing you in the varied landscapes of Eora as the score swells during climactic battles and softens in quiet explorations. Voice acting adds another layer of depth, with familiar tones from beloved characters raising nostalgia levels to fever pitch for fans of the Pillars series. Unfortunately, some dialogue can skew towards the tedious side, making you wish for a fast-forward option—you know, like that annoying friend who constantly rambles at parties. Still, the overall sound design resonates beautifully, helping to create an immersive world that feels alive, even if the people in it occasionally seem a tad static and lifeless.
Visual Feast or Frustrating Flicker?
Visually, Avowed is a stunning example of modern fantasy graphics. The world of Eora is rendered in vibrant colors that pop, making every creature and environment feel full of life. The art direction channels classic Elder Scrolls vibes while maintaining a distinct identity, and exploration rewards those curious enough to wander off the beaten path. However, amidst the beauty lies a troubling reality; the performance can be a mixed bag. Players with high-end rigs may find themselves subjected to frame drops, crashes, and other unfortunate bugs that detract from the otherwise gorgeous experience. While the game runs smoothly on paper, many gamers report annoying freezes and inconsistencies that remind you it still needs some work. Worse yet, this isn't something you usually expect from a studio like Obsidian, who has previously set the bar high for polished experiences in the RPG genre.
Narrative and Exploration: A Tale of Two Journeys
In terms of narrative depth, Avowed often stumbles with storytelling that feels undercooked in reaction to player choices. While it surely aims to capture the essence of memorable quests found in previous Obsidian titles, the main story feels linear and lacks the weight that fans might expect. Character interactions can often feel flat, leaving the player disconnected from the unfolding drama. The exploration mechanics, however, are commendable, allowing players to traverse the beautifully crafted landscapes, hunt for loot, and engage in side missions that do manage to break the immersion quite successfully. Yet, if you enter the game expecting the emotional complexity of the Pillars of Eternity series, you may be disappointed as Avowed often opts for environmental storytelling over rich character arcs or dialogue that truly gets under your skin. Nonetheless, there are moments of genuine intrigue and wonder amidst the more vacant aspects of the world, enough to keep adventurers coming back for just ‘one more dungeon.’
STEAM RATING
Developer
Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release Date
February 18, 2025
The Verdict: A Mixed Bag with Glimmers of Greatness
Avowed is an enchanting entry into the fantasy RPG genre, filled with tantalizing combat, stunning visuals, and an exploration system that rewards curiosity. Yet, a series of performance issues and a lackluster narrative hold it back from achieving true greatness. Whether you see it as a flawed gem or a missed opportunity largely depends on where you set your expectations. If you're a fan of the Pillars of Eternity series, the nostalgic callbacks and familiar gameplay mechanics might be enough to keep you invested as you explore the Living Lands. Just remember to keep a healer handy—because some of these bugs may require more than just a health potion to fix.
