I dove into Avowed with high expectations and a critical eye. I have spent years mastering competitive games, and I value depth. Avowed is a first‐person fantasy RPG set in the mysterious world of Eora. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios, it promised epic lore and intense gameplay. After more than 30 hours of gameplay since its launch on February 18, 2025, I am ready to share my in-depth review.
Overall Impression
Avowed stands as an ambitious title. The game offers players a world full of war, intrigue, and ancient mysteries. Its scale and scope impressed me from the start. I enjoyed forging alliances and rivalries. The choices you make shape the narrative as you progress. The game’s design centers on the idea that each decision carries weight. Yet, sometimes, the impact feels limited. Several moments, especially in the final hour, cram narrative weight into a few choices. These moments feel more like narrative hubs rather than organic gameplay.
Gameplay Mechanics
The combat mechanics hold much promise. I love fast-paced combat and strategic depth. Avowed delivers on that front with a variety of enemy types. You face humans, zombies, skeletal foes, and even mechanical walkers. Each enemy type offers a unique challenge and forces players to adapt their strategies. I found that the combat is fluid and satisfying when you land a critical hit or dodge an enemy barrage. However, the combat system also reveals its flaws. The system sometimes feels shallow, with limited upgrade depths that restrict character growth. While I enjoy a brisk battle, the two-dimensional upgrade system limits my ability to fully customize my character build. I also encountered moments where combat pacing felt uneven because of forced progression mechanics. Some encounters required players to grind for rare materials to upgrade abilities. This design choice can interrupt the rhythm of gameplay, making combat feel disconnected from exploration and side quests.
Story and Characters
The narrative of Avowed is mixed in its delivery. The central story holds promise with its ancient mysteries and political intrigue. I appreciate the attempt at creating dialogue that feels impactful. The choices I made, particularly in the game’s climax, did affect the story. However, the depth of the narrative sometimes falters. Key characters feel underdeveloped. The companions, for example, come off as bland when compared to the rich world-building that the developers promote. I expected more nuance from Obsidian, a studio known for its engaging storylines. The dialogue tries to match the epic scope but sometimes feels forced. Short emotional exchanges can distract from what should be a cohesive narrative experience. The lore of Eora is intriguing, yet the narrative inconsistencies leave me wanting more substance in its execution.
Graphics and Visuals
Visuals and graphics play a pivotal role in Avowed’s atmosphere. I immediately noticed the stunning landscapes and intricate details that bring Eora to life. The artwork is reminiscent of classic fantasy paintings while embracing modern graphical prowess. Detailed character models and immersive environments add a layer of realism to the magical setting. Yet, not every visual element hits the mark. I encountered several environments where NPCs felt static and lifeless. In moments of high action, these lapses break immersion. The game world is vast and beautiful but sometimes suffers from technical shortcomings such as a lack of dynamic animations for key characters. Despite these issues, the overall artistic style is strong and memorable.
Sound and Music
Sound and music significantly enhance my immersion in any game, and Avowed is no exception. The soundtrack is grand and sweeping. It elevates key moments in battles and dramatic sequences. The sound effects during combat contribute positively to the adrenaline of every encounter. Voice acting deserves special mention. I appreciate emotionally driven dialogue that mirrors dramatic storytelling. However, I did notice that some dialogue moments felt overdone or forced. When players upgrade their equipment, the voice lines lean too much on emotion. This can distract from the otherwise tight pacing of a battle. Ultimately, the audio design helps balance some of the mechanical shortcomings by urging the player deeper into the world of Eora.
Difficulty and Replayability
The difficulty and replayability of Avowed are crucial for a game in this genre. I relish a tough challenge, and Avowed tests my abilities in several instances. Some encounters are meticulously balanced to reward precise timing and creative strategy. However, difficulty can be unpredictable. There are random moments when I hit difficulty walls that feel unfair or artificially imposed. This hurdle sometimes forces players down a grind-heavy path to gather rare upgrade materials. The mechanics behind progression leave room for improvement. I hope future updates or sequels take this issue into account. On the other hand, the game offers multiple pathways in questlines and faction interactions. That encourages replayability. I have already mapped out several alternative playthroughs to explore different alliances and outcomes. The replay value is high if you are willing to immerse yourself deeper than the surface-level narrative presents.
Final Thoughts
Some behind-the-scenes trivia has caught my attention. Obsidian Entertainment is known for its rich slate of RPGs. They promised that Avowed would break new ground in narrative integration and dynamic combat. I believe they achieved many of those aims. Still, some design choices, like a simplified lockpicking and non-reactive NPC behavior, reveal a disconnect between ambition and execution. The team appears to have split their focus between iconic level design and the allure of a deep narrative. In doing so, they delivered an experience that excels in parts while falling short in others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Avowed offers a multifaceted experience that will intrigue and challenge hardcore RPG fans like myself. The game impresses with its ambitious world-building, engaging combat, and breathtaking visuals. Its narrative is packed with potential but is occasionally let down by underdeveloped characters and forced dialogue. Gameplay mechanics such as the upgrade system and material grinding are both a blessing and a curse—they add structure while limiting creative freedom. The technical shortcomings in NPC animations and dynamic interactions do little to spoil the enormous effort behind the game.
I applaud Obsidian Entertainment for bravely stepping into a genre with high expectations. Avowed resonates well with players looking for grand narratives and challenging gameplay. It reminds me of classic RPG experiences while trying to innovate where it matters. That said, the game has its share of rough edges that need smoothing. For hardcore gamers, Avowed offers an engaging adventure that rewards exploration and strategic combat, even if it never fully escapes its design constraints.
I give Avowed a score of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Despite its flaws, the game holds enough promise to earn a spot among the noteworthy fantasy RPGs of its generation. Future updates or iterations may address some of the surface-level issues. As always, I am looking forward to seeing how Obsidian refines their masterpiece in the next release or patch. For any dedicated gamer willing to navigate its intricate yet sometimes shallow systems, Avowed is an adventure worth experiencing.
