Obsidian Entertainment delivers a polished, high-octane fantasy adventure in Avowed, a standalone first-person RPG set within the vibrant world of Eora, previously introduced in the Pillars of Eternity series. While the title doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it masters a proven formula by prioritizing tight combat, rewarding progression, and dense, meaningful exploration, proving that a game doesn’t need to break the mold to provide an exceptional experience.
A World Crafted for Exploration
Moving away from the trend of massive, empty open worlds, Avowed opts for a series of distinct, tightly packed zones. This design choice pays off, allowing players to hop seamlessly between missions, combat encounters, and exploration. The map is a curated experience where verticality and depth turn compact spaces into expansive playgrounds. Hidden caves, ancient ruins, and mountain paths are layered with secrets, while enemy camps offer dynamic, high-stakes battles that keep the pacing brisk and exciting.
Navigation itself is surprisingly fluid. A simple but effective approach to parkour makes traversing dungeons and towers an engaging task, while a generous fast-travel system ensures that backtracking never feels like a chore.
Combat, Magic, and Progression
The first-person combat is a standout feature, offering a satisfying balance between offense and defense. Melee combat carries a tangible sense of weight, making parries and counters feel impactful. The magic system is even more impressive, featuring flashy visual effects and environmental interactions—such as bouncing electric bolts—that reward creative play. While ranged weapons, particularly guns, feel slightly clunky compared to the otherwise fluid movement, the overall combat loop remains highly addictive.
Progression is equally satisfying. An intuitive XP system feeds into diverse upgrade trees, allowing for deep customization of playstyles. The gear system encourages experimentation, letting players mix and match right and left-hand combinations. For those who enjoy gathering loot, the convenient inventory management and stash system—accessible at any time—is a welcome quality-of-life feature that keeps the focus on the action.
Visuals and Narrative Depth
Visually, Avowed stands out with a bright, saturated art style that breaks away from the grim, muted tones common in the genre. The Living Lands are filled with alien-like flora and fungal life, keeping the landscape fresh as players transition between biomes. However, the enemy variety is a slight weak point; the limited roster of creatures can feel repetitive, as many encounters fail to introduce significant new tactical challenges.
The story hits its stride early, anchored by a surreal, dreamlike mystery involving a voice that constantly forces the player to second-guess its intentions. Navigating a plague-ridden land requires players to make difficult moral choices, adding weight to the journey. While the writing for companions is strong, the connections to these characters feel somewhat surface-level, as their integration into the party lacks sufficient narrative justification.
The Verdict
Obsidian has succeeded in creating a project that understands its own scope perfectly. Avowed may not be the most innovative RPG on the market, but it is a confident, polished, and genuinely fun adventure. By focusing on what matters most—exploration, combat, and progression—Obsidian has delivered a fantasy experience that satisfies from start to finish.
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