8 /10 17

Avowed marks Obsidian Entertainment’s return to the world of Eora, offering a condensed yet dense first-person RPG experience. Unlike the sprawling vastness of Skyrim, this title focuses on curated zones within the Living Lands, delivering a tighter narrative loop and punchy combat. Critical reception has been generally positive, praising the dual-wielding mechanics and elemental reactivity, though some find the main campaign’s stakes less ambitious than the studio’s previous narrative heavyweights.

How to Play Avowed

Players assume the role of an Envoy sent to investigate a spiritual plague, utilizing a classless combat system.

1. Controls – Standard first-person controls with a unique dual-wielding system (LT/RT for left/right hands).
2. Progression – Earn XP to unlock skills in varying trees (Might, Magic, Perception) without rigid class locks.
3. Combat/Mechanics – Combine elemental spells with melee or firearms; freeze enemies then shatter them with hammers.
4. Tips – Experiment with loadouts; keep a ranged wand in one slot and a shield or sword in the other.

Who Should Play Avowed

This game is built for fans of systems-driven RPGs who prefer depth over map size.

• Player 1 – Fans of The Outer Worlds who want a fantasy equivalent.
• Player 2 – Pillars of Eternity lore veterans hungry for a new perspective on Eora.
• Player 3 – Action-RPG players who enjoy experimenting with combat builds.
• Skip if – You are looking for a 100+ hour endless open-world sandbox.

Avowed Platform Performance

Performance is generally stable on consoles with distinct trade-offs between fidelity and fluidity.

Avowed System Requirements

The game is demanding on older hardware, requiring an SSD for asset streaming in the Living Lands.

Similar Games to Avowed

If you enjoy the first-person perspective or the writing style, check these titles.

• The Outer Worlds – Obsidian’s sci-fi RPG with similar dialogue and companion systems.
• Skyrim – The genre standard for first-person fantasy exploration.
• Dark Messiah of Might & Magic – Offers similar visceral first-person melee combat.
• Pillars of Eternity 2 – Isometric RPG set in the same universe (Eora).

Avowed vs Competitors

Avowed offers a shorter, more polished experience compared to massive open-world bloat.

Avowed Story & World

Set in the Living Lands, a wild frontier of the world of Eora, you play as an Envoy of the Aedyr Empire. The region is plagued by the Dreamscourge, a spiritual fungal infection that corrupts souls. The narrative focuses on political tension between the Empire and locals, with choices that determine the fate of the frontier, though it avoids the ‘save the entire universe’ trope for a more grounded conflict.

Avowed Multiplayer & Online

Avowed is a strictly single-player experience with no online components.

• Single Player – Narrative-driven campaign with companions.
• Co-op – Not available.
• PvP – Not available.
• Cross-Play – N/A (Play Anywhere supported between Xbox/PC).

Avowed DLC & Expansions

Obsidian has not announced specific roadmap plans, but standard support is expected.

• Premium Edition – Included early access and skin packs.
• Future DLC – Likely story expansions similar to Peril on Gorgon.
• Season Pass – Not currently available.
• Free Updates – Performance patches and bug fixes.

Avowed Community & Support

The community is active, largely migrating from Pillars of Eternity discussions.

• Official Forums – Obsidian boards are active for lore discussion.
• Reddit/Discord – r/Avowed is the main hub for builds and secrets.
• Mod Support – No official mod tools at launch, unlike Bethesda games.
• Updates – Regular post-launch patches expected for performance.