Avowed Review
You play as an envoy of the Aedyr Empire, sent to the Living Lands—a wild, magical frontier plagued by a mysterious blight that corrupts the land and its people. From the outset, the narrative grips you with mystery, political intrigue, and moral ambiguity. True to Obsidian’s storytelling legacy, the game offers nuanced dialogue, faction dynamics, and meaningful choices that influence how the world reacts to your presence.
The Living Lands themselves are a standout—lush, dangerous, and dripping with lore. Whether exploring fungal caverns, ancient ruins, or bustling settlements, the game rewards curiosity. You’ll stumble across morally gray side quests and cryptic texts that flesh out the world of Eora in unexpected ways.
Avowed offers a flexible combat system, allowing players to dual-wield swords, conjure spells, or switch to ranged weapons mid-fight. Each weapon or spell can be imbued with status effects or elemental damage. Players can build their character around distinct playstyles—pure mage, stealth archer, or battle-hardened paladin.
Combat feels snappy and weighty, especially when magic is involved. Hurling a fireball into a cluster of enemies or summoning spectral allies feels empowering. However, some mechanics, like AI behavior and enemy variety, need more polish. A few fights rely too heavily on damage sponges rather than tactical depth.
Traversal, on the other hand, is a joy—sprinting, sliding, and mantling ledges adds fluidity to exploration.
Graphically, Avowed finds its identity in vibrant palettes and stylized environments rather than hyperrealism. Imagine walking through a high-fantasy illustrated novel—colorful, mystical, and brimming with atmosphere.
While the world looks stunning in motion, close-up textures and character models sometimes fall short of next-gen expectations. Lighting, particle effects, and spell animations are highlights, making combat visually rewarding.
On PC and Xbox Series X|S, the game generally runs smoothly, with brief dips in performance during large-scale battles. Some bugs and visual glitches exist, but none are game-breaking.
There is a perfect balance between epic and melancholic, enhancing both exploration and tension-filled combat. Environmental audio—howling winds, rustling forests, the faint hum of magical anomalies—grounds the world in sonic realism.
The voice acting ranges from competent to excellent, particularly among main companions and major quest givers. Some secondary dialogue feels flat, but overall, the performances sell the emotional stakes well.
Choice is at the heart of Avowed. The game respects player autonomy, offering multiple paths to complete quests—combat, persuasion, stealth, or magical trickery. Companion interactions are shaped by your choices, and some decisions have lasting consequences in the game’s world.
Your reputation among factions—ranging from scholarly alchemists to fanatical cults—impacts quest availability and even the game’s ending. The writing ensures there are no easy moral choices, pushing players to wrestle with real dilemmas.
Verdict:
Avowed is not a Skyrim clone—it’s a bold, narrative-driven fantasy RPG that carves its own path. While the game isn’t flawless—combat can feel uneven, and some technical hiccups persist—it’s a deeply satisfying journey through a rich, living world.
Whether you’re a long-time Pillars of Eternity fan or a newcomer to Eora, Avowed delivers a spellbinding experience full of heart, agency, and wonder.
Score:
8.4/10
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The code was provided free of charge for my honest, unbiased review.
Pros
- Deep and flexible roleplaying systems
- Consequence-driven choices with long-term effects
- Multiple endings and narrative branches
- Strong sound and visuals
Cons
- Reputation system lacks visual clarity
- The companion loyalty system could be better