Key Highlights
- Avowed is the latest action RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, set in the fantastical and vibrant world of Eora, previously explored in the Pillars of Eternity series.
- The game features a dynamic combat system that allows you to mix and match swords, shields, ranged bows, and a deep, satisfying magic system.
- Explore the Living Lands, a mysterious island with different environments and its own unique ecosystem, presented with stunning graphics and immersive worldbuilding.
- Your choices matter, driving a deep narrative filled with political intrigue and moral ambiguity that shapes the fate of the world.
- While the core gameplay is strong, the experience is sometimes hindered by unbalanced gear-tier systems and repetitive enemy encounters.
- Avowed is available on PC and Xbox Series X, including day one access on Xbox Game Pass.
Introduction
Welcome to the Living Lands, a wild and mysterious frontier in the beloved world of Eora. Obsidian Entertainment, the masterminds behind classics like Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, invites you on a new first-person RPG adventure. In Avowed, you are an envoy of the Aedyr empire, sent to investigate a mysterious plague known as the Dreamscourge. What awaits is a journey filled with danger, discovery, and decisions that will define the future of this untamed land. Are you ready to answer the call?
Avowed’s RPG Adventure Mechanics Explored
An exceptional RPG is built on a foundation of compelling mechanics that draw you into its world. From the thrill of combat to the depth of its story, every element must work in harmony. Avowed brings Obsidian Entertainment’s signature style to the forefront, blending familiar fantasy tropes with unique systems that aim to create a memorable experience. This title, published by Xbox Game Studios, has a lot to unpack.
We will now look at the core components that define the Avowed adventure. We’ll examine the immersive world, the fluid combat, the role of companions, character progression, and the choice-driven narrative that lies at the heart of the game.
1. Immersive Worldbuilding and Setting in the Living Lands
Your journey takes you to the Living Lands, a mysterious island on an unknown frontier within the fictional world of Eora. If you’ve played the Pillars of Eternity games, you’ll recognize the rich lore, but newcomers need not worry. Avowed does an excellent job of welcoming everyone into its fold, providing context without overwhelming you with history. This part of your journey is about discovery, not prior knowledge.
The setting itself is a visual treat. You will traverse a land teeming with different environments, from lush, sun-dappled forests filled with strange flora to corrupted swamps shrouded in mist. Each region feels hand-crafted and alive, begging to be explored. The world tells its own story through its design, showcasing an environment where nature is both beautiful and perilous. As Travis Northup of IGN states, the maps are “delightfully colorful and brimming with personality that’s a welcome change from the sometimes drab and dull places we end up exploring in other RPGs.”
This focus on a vibrant, almost alien landscape makes exploration feel meaningful. You aren’t just moving from one quest marker to the next; you’re charting a land that feels ancient and untamed. What secrets does this island hold, and how will its unique ecosystem react to your presence? The answers are waiting for you to find them.
2. Dynamic Combat System and Weapon Choices
When blades clash and spells fly, Avowed truly comes alive. The gameplay in its first-person combat system is responsive, impactful, and simply feels good to control. Enemies flinch and stagger from your blows, parrying has a satisfying weight, and dodging feels tight and reliable. Publisher Xbox Game Studios and Obsidian have clearly polished the moment-to-moment action to feel both visceral and tactical, a key strength of the experience.
You have the freedom to craft your ideal fighting style. The game allows you to equip two different loadouts that you can switch between on the fly, opening up creative combos and strategies. Will you be a steadfast warrior, a nimble archer, or a powerful mage? The choice is completely yours. Your options include:
- Melee: Match swords with a sturdy shield for a classic defense-and-offense approach.
- Ranged: Keep your distance with long-range bows or powerful flintlock pistols.
- Magic: Unleash devastating spells using a wand and a powerful grimoire.
While all combat styles are viable, the magic system deserves special praise. Spell effects are phenomenal, from crackling lightning storms to explosive fireballs that send enemies flying. It captures the feeling of being a true spell-slinger in a way few games manage. This flexible combat system, powered by Microsoft’s technology, ensures every encounter is an engaging test of your skills.
3. Party Companions and Relationship Building
You won’t have to face the dangers of the Living Lands alone. As an envoy of Aedyr, your mission of duty will lead you to cross paths with a diverse cast of party companions. These are not just faceless allies; they are fully-fleshed characters with their own motivations, backstories, and a unique set of abilities that can turn the tide of battle. Building a relationship with them is central to the adventure.
Their banter and interactions add a layer of life and intrigue to your travels. Listening to them chat at camp or comment on your decisions makes the world feel more dynamic and reactive. Each companion also has their own personal side quest, allowing you to get to know them on a deeper level and help them resolve their personal conflicts. They will challenge your views and offer different perspectives on the tangled web of intrigue you uncover.
While you cannot romance your companions, the camaraderie you build feels genuine. They are your found family in this strange new land. You can bring two with you at any time, allowing you to experiment with different party compositions to complement your playstyle. Your companions can:
- Offer unique dialogue options in conversations.
- Use powerful skills you can command in combat.
- Help you solve puzzles and navigate the world.
4. Skill Trees, Magic, and Character Customization
Avowed gives you the tools to shape your character exactly how you want. The character customization is built around a straightforward yet effective system of three main skill trees: Fighter, Ranger, and Wizard. You are not locked into any single path; you can freely invest skill points across any of the trees to create a hybrid build that suits your preferred gameplay. This flexibility allows you to adapt as you progress through the main story.
The magic system, in particular, offers fantastic depth. You can learn ancient magic spells through the skill tree, but you can also find a grimoire that contains spells you haven’t unlocked yet. Using a spell you already know from a tome allows you to cast a higher-ranked, more powerful version of it. This clever mechanic encourages experimentation and gives even non-magic-focused builds access to potent abilities.
Building your character is a core part of the RPG experience. Do you want to be a heavily armored tank who dabbles in healing magic, or a stealthy ranger who can unleash a fiery explosion when things get tough? The system is designed to support your vision.
|
Skill Tree |
Primary Focus |
Sample Abilities |
|---|---|---|
|
Fighter |
Melee combat, high defense, and raw physical power |
Powerful shield bashes, heavy weapon strikes, and increased durability. |
|
Ranger |
Ranged attacks, agility, and tactical traps |
Precision shots with bows, quick dodges, and deploying snares for enemies. |
|
Wizard |
Elemental spells, crowd control, and area-of-effect damage |
Summoning fireballs, calling down lightning storms, and creating protective wards. |
5. Narrative Depth and Choice-Driven Storytelling
True to Obsidian’s legacy, Avowed excels in its narrative depth. The main story tasks you with confronting a dire threat, the Dreamscourge, but the journey is far from simple. You’ll quickly find yourself caught in a tangled web of intrigue involving local factions, imperial politics, and the turmoil of a land resisting occupation. The writing is sharp, and the dialogue is consistently engaging.
What truly sets the story apart is its commitment to choice-driven storytelling. The decisions you make, from major plot points to seemingly minor conversations, have a tangible impact. You will shape the fates of its people and determine the direction of the conflict. The game presents you with morally gray dilemmas that rarely have a clear “right” or “wrong” answer, forcing you to shoulder the consequences of your actions.
This approach creates a powerful sense of agency. The ending you receive will be a direct result of your choices throughout the game. The story makes you feel the weight of your role as you navigate the political and social tensions of the Living Lands, making your playthrough feel personal and unique.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Avowed offers a richly woven tapestry of adventure that will captivate both new and seasoned RPG fans. Its immersive worldbuilding, dynamic combat system, and intricate character customization create a gaming experience that is both engaging and rewarding. The depth of the narrative, coupled with meaningful player choices, ensures that every journey through the Living Lands feels unique and personal. Whether you’re forging alliances with party companions or mastering complex magic systems, Avowed truly stands out in the RPG genre. Dive into this adventure, and let your choices shape the story as you explore everything this vibrant world has to offer. Happy gaming!
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Avowed stand out among other RPGs?
Avowed distinguishes itself with Obsidian Entertainment’s signature choice-driven narrative set in the rich Pillars of Eternity open world. Its vibrant, hand-crafted art style and a fluid, first-person combat system that seamlessly blends melee, ranged, and powerful magic also set it apart from its RPG peers.
How does player choice impact the story in Avowed?
Player choice is fundamental to the narrative depth in Avowed. Your decisions directly influence the main story, resolve political intrigue, and determine the ultimate fate of characters and entire regions. This choice-driven storytelling leads to multiple endings, making each playthrough feel unique.
Is Avowed suitable for fans of Obsidian’s previous games?
Absolutely. Fans of Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity games and The Outer Worlds will be right at home. The Avowed base game delivers the high-quality writing, deep lore, and player agency the studio is celebrated for, making it a must-play with an Xbox Game Pass subscription.
