Obsidian Entertainment, the developer behind beloved RPGs such as Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, has unveiled its latest offering, Avowed. This high-fantasy first-person RPG finds its home within the rich lore of the Pillars of Eternity universe, drawing players back to a world filled with magic and adventure.
Set against the backdrop of the untamed region known as The Living Lands, Avowed allows players to assume the role of Godlike, rare beings imbued with divine power and visually distinct flora adorning their faces. These unique characteristics, such as vibrant flora sprouting from one’s features, invite immediate intrigue and playfully set the tone for the game. The protagonist, tasked with investigating the malady known as the Dreamscourge, finds themselves embroiled in both personal identity dilemmas and broader socio-political issues within the game's narrative.
The gameplay mechanics boast both first-person and third-person viewpoints, providing flexibility to players as they traverse the beautifully crafted world. The combat system features modes where players can seamlessly switch between melee and magic attacks, which keeps combat feeling dynamic and engaging. Avowed allows players to mix and match various loadouts, providing them the opportunity to tailor their combat experience based on personal playstyle, whether they lean toward physical melee, ranged, or magical prowess.
Performance-wise, Avowed's technical aspects have drawn mixed feedback, particularly on PC. Reviewers have pointed out varying frame rates across different hardware setups. According to tech analysis by Nick Evanson, even with high-end specifications like the RTX 3070, players experienced solid performance at 1440p on medium-high settings, but those on lower-tier hardware found the game to be less forgiving. He reported, “Avowed is still well worth experiencing sitting upright at your desktop...” placing emphasis on its graphical prowess when played under optimal conditions.
Players exploring The Living Lands can expect to encounter both whimsical side stories and heavier decisions grounded in the game's themes, including imperialism and individual agency. The narrative structure allows freedom for players to engage with the world dynamically; decisions made during quests can impact relationships with companions and the game’s overarching narrative arc.
Through its character-driven stories, Avowed intertwines humorous, tragic, and extraordinary elements, giving rise to memorable moments during quests. One particularly amusing side quest involves helping out a farmer experimenting with reanimated corpses, showcasing the game's lighthearted nature amid heavier themes.
Despite some technical flaws, including longer than expected loading times and minor stutter issues, many find the rich worlds and vibrant storytelling overshadow these concerns. Players have voiced how engaging dialogues and interactivity with companions — many voiced by talented actors including Brandon Keener — draw them deeply within Avowed's narrative layers.
Critical reception emphasizes the engaging mechanics and the gorgeous visual aesthetic, with reviewers likening Avowed's design and storytelling to classic RPGs. One review highlighted, “There’s serious themes to be found, but at the same time, it’s just a bloody good romp,” indicative of how Avowed balances fun with depth.
The studio’s previous experience with RPG design certainly shines through, creating choices laden with consequence and paths filled with captivating conflicts. Although some features like AI companion interactions could be more diverse, the overall experience of companions feels constructed, enriching the narrative experience through their reactions and dialogues.
Such interactions extend to combat organization, which can at times feel chaotic, drawing players back through tactical planning. The game provides ample opportunity for role-playing, supported by its fluid dialogue options shaped by player statistics and choices. It maintains the classic RPG feel, offering fruitful engagement with the game world, akin to the Elder Scrolls series but with its unique twist.
While Avowed might not redefine the RPG genre, it adeptly revives playful mechanics combined with compelling storytelling, engaging visuals, and immersive world-building. For fans yearning for the next Elder Scrolls or simply seeking solid RPG experiences, Avowed delivers on its promise. The design hints at the game potentially achieving cult classic status, appealing particularly to RPG enthusiasts ready to revel once again within engaging gameplay.