Avowed is finally here, and as a longtime fan of Obsidian, my expectations were extremely high. This is their shot at creating a first-person RPG that can stand shoulder to shoulder with Skyrim, but with that signature deep storytelling they’re known for. After spending a good chunk of time exploring the Living Lands, I can confidently say Avowed mostly delivers; but it’s not without its hiccups.
Welcome to the Living Lands
Set in the world of Eora, known from the Pillars of Eternity series, Avowed doesn’t require any prior knowledge to enjoy. You step into the shoes of an envoy from the Aedyr Empire, sent to investigate the Dreamscourge; a deadly plague that’s corrupting both the land and its people. The story itself is the central star and beating heart of the game and if you’ve played Obsidian games before, you know they like to branch out and hide important stuff all around the world. A world that is masterfully created. I played it on my Xbox Series X and was blown away by the visuals. The game takes you to dense forests, sunny coasts, ancient ruins filled with secrets, and more. The atmosphere is there from the very start and every corner of the world feels well-thought and lived in. If you’re a fan of Pillars of Eternity, it’s a feast to see that iconic world coming to life in this entirely different type of game, it feels like homecoming but in a fully renovated house.
Although the world is created with a lot of care and it supports the story, it takes a while to really sink its teeth into you. The opening hours feel sluggish, with a lot of exposition and setup before you’re truly let loose. While the world is fascinating, the pacing might not click with everyone; especially for those expecting an immediate thrill ride. If you can push past the slow start, however, Avowed rewards patience with some of the best storytelling Obsidian has ever delivered. It won’t be easy let me tell you that. When I first booted up the game I was convinced that the game would never become really good and would be stuck in mediocre and I was even fearing it would easily lead to a dead on arrival once it officially releases. Luckily, I was proven wrong the more I played and the more the story kicked into gear. Just be warned that it won’t knock your socks off in its opening minutes.
Build your own legend
One of Avowed’s biggest strengths, on the other hand, is its flexible character progression. Rather than locking you into a rigid class system, the game allows you to mix and match abilities to suit your playstyle. Want to be a spell-slinging warrior wielding a greatsword in one hand and fire magic in the other? Go for it. Prefer stealthy assassinations with a dagger and a bow? Totally fine by me. The freedom to experiment keeps things interesting, even if the skill system isn’t the deepest out there, the level of freedom makes up for it. The same goes for the character creator. As with any decent modern RPG, Avowed comes with a deep character creator at the start of the game. Some of the things you decide upon even have effects on the way the NPCs will see you. If you’re willing to go for visible godlike features, for example, this choice will result in different dialogue options or even different responses from the NPCs you meet. It’s just one of those things that make sense in the way Obsidian tackled Avowed. The dialogue options are extremely rich and varied but I didn’t think character creation would affect those. It just shows that you really are your own legend in the game and that you are destined to make the story your own. There of course more than story and dialogues, first-person combat takes center stage once more.
Combat itself feels weighty and satisfying, but not quite as refined as some of its contemporaries. Magic users will likely have the most fun, as spellcasting is visually striking and offers a ton of variety, from summoning weapons to hurling elemental blasts. Melee and ranged combat feel solid but could use a bit more impact; sometimes attacks don’t land with the satisfying crunch you’d hope for. Still, once you unlock a decent arsenal of abilities, fights become a lot more dynamic and engaging but needs time to really become fun once again. At the start of the game, you find a simple spear and shield and you can attack some generic enemies. It’s a kind of tutorial situation where you are learning the rules of this new world but man did it feel like a blast from the past. It got me worried that combat would be the most boring aspect of the game but as with everything in Avowed, it takes time to really become fun. Once you find your style and experiment with the countless different options, you’re in for a wild ride!
Don’t forget the companions
No good RPG is complete without a memorable cast of companions, and Avowed doesn’t disappoint. Throughout your journey, you’ll meet a group of allies, each with their own unique skills, personalities, and moral alignments. Their banter adds a lot of life to the world, and their individual side quests reveal some genuinely compelling backstories while giving you some extra content to explore at the same time.
That said, the companion AI can be hit or miss. While they hold their own in combat, there are moments when they feel a little… passive. You might expect them to step in during a tense fight or respond dynamically to your choices, but sometimes they just stand there waiting for instructions. Fortunately, their dialogue and story arcs make up for these occasional lapses, and they’re definitely worth investing time into. I think it’s a bit harder to judge modern RPG games ever since Baldur’s Gate 3 stormed to the throne. While Avowed is clearly doing its own thing and does add its own taste to the genre which makes it one of the better entries in modern RPGs for sure.
Conclusion:
Avowed is a game that demands patience. It doesn’t throw you straight into high-stakes action, and its layered storytelling takes time to unravel. For some, this will be a dream come true; an immersive, narrative-rich RPG that rewards exploration and careful decision-making. For others, the slow start and slightly clunky combat might be off-putting.
Personally, I loved my time in the Living Lands. The worldbuilding is stellar, the writing is sharp, and when the game hits it hits hard, it really delivers on that classic Obsidian magic. It may not revolutionize the genre, but it’s a deeply satisfying RPG for those willing to settle in and lose themselves in its world. If you can handle the deliberate pacing, Avowed is an experience well worth diving into.
