REVIEW – Obsidian Entertainment has long been synonymous with high-quality RPGs, so when Avowed was announced, expectations soared. Another open-world fantasy RPG? Of course. A story rooted in Pillars of Eternity, where your choices lead to serious moral dilemmas? Absolutely. But did Obsidian meet the lofty expectations set by its own legacy? Avowed is an adventure RPG with fast-paced combat, a captivating world, and a story packed with difficult, consequence-driven choices. It’s not perfect, but it’s still an RPG worth experiencing. Here’s why.

Obsidian games have always held a special place in my heart. How could they not, when they gave us Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 (KOTOR 2), Fallout: New Vegas, and countless other legendary RPGs? But I have to admit, I had my doubts. At one point, I wondered… what if they couldn’t live up to their own high standards? Avowed delivers a little bit of everything: a unique atmosphere, enjoyable combat, fantastic world-building, and, of course, the tough decisions that put you under constant pressure from the start. Exploration is rewarding, the environments are stunning, and the story is classic Obsidian mastery—filled with choices that will leave you second-guessing yourself for hours. And while there are a few shortcomings, Avowed remains an RPG well worth playing. In this analysis, I’ll explain why.

An RPG That Forces Hard Choices

I wouldn’t call Avowed’s story the most groundbreaking narrative ever, but once it pulls you in, there’s no turning back. If you’ve played Pillars of Eternity, you’ll have a good idea of what awaits: layers of intrigue and even more ruthless decisions. This is a dark fantasy world where death is ever-present, and nothing is black and white. As an imperial envoy, your mission is to investigate a mysterious plague ravaging the Living Lands—but to the locals, you and the troops of the Aedyr Empire are just as unwelcome as the disease itself.

Obsidian once again excels at leveraging factional conflicts to put you in impossible situations where every decision carries weight. Help one group, and you’re bound to make an enemy of another. Choose the wrong side, and you could start a war. The game’s world is mesmerizing, particularly in how it explores themes of politics, power struggles, and the machinations of gods—always lurking in the background, pulling the strings and shaping events in ways you never fully grasp.

Obsidian has always been a master of storytelling, and Avowed delivers exactly that. Even the side quests feel meaningful, not just filler. You’re not always the world’s savior, and not every battle is an earth-shattering confrontation—but Avowed keeps you hooked nonetheless. The dialogue is brilliantly written, filled with drama, and laced with New Vegas-style dark humor that has become an Obsidian trademark. And then there are the choices. This isn’t a simple black-and-white morality system—it’s all about navigating the shades of gray, much like in Pillars of Eternity. Even the smallest decisions can nudge the story in unexpected directions, sometimes allowing you to avoid conflicts altogether.

The result is a masterfully crafted fantasy narrative. It’s not just exciting and unpredictable; it makes you feel like you’re truly shaping the world. Your choices matter, and the impact of your actions often unfolds so subtly that you don’t even realize it—until you’re forced to face the consequences. And that’s when you’ll understand that Obsidian never intended to make things easy for you.

Avowed’s Combat: Chaotic, Brutal, Fun—But Slightly Repetitive

Combat in Avowed is an adrenaline-fueled rush: constant movement, dodging, striking, spellcasting, explosions, and perfect counters all blending together. It’s so intense that you barely get a second to breathe. And this is where large-scale battles shine. Be prepared—enemies in Avowed don’t fight fair. They’ll attack en masse, from every angle, and if you’re not careful, they’ll overwhelm you in seconds. There’s no standing still, and that’s what makes these encounters so thrilling. But another crucial element is strategy.

If you think button-mashing will get you through, you’re in for a rude awakening. First, you’ll quickly deplete your stamina. Second, certain enemies disrupt the battlefield so much that you have to prioritize taking them out first. A sorcerer, for example, will relentlessly heal allies unless you eliminate them quickly. Summoners will keep calling reinforcements until you interrupt their magic. In theory, it sounds simple—”just take them out”—but in practice, it’s much harder. Enemies constantly chase you, archers reposition themselves for better shots, and mages seek high ground to make themselves harder to reach. This is what makes Avowed’s combat so engaging: the chaos never fully disappears.

One of my biggest concerns was that the action might become repetitive after a few hours. But as you unlock new weapons and abilities, and the game introduces more enemy types, combat keeps evolving, becoming even more rewarding. Avowed finds ways to keep you engaged. Even 30 hours in, I was still enjoying the fights. Sure, Avowed doesn’t have the same depth as a classic CRPG like Pillars of Eternity, but what it does, it does exceptionally well. And it offers tremendous flexibility. You can mix magic with swordplay, dual-wield pistols, fight with an axe and dagger, or go all-in with a massive war hammer. The choice is yours. And if you get bored of your current build, you can always reset your skills and approach combat differently.

At first glance, Avowed’s combat may seem straightforward, but there’s a surprising amount of depth beneath the surface. Not every encounter can be won with the same approach. Some enemies force you to rethink your strategy and rely on your companions—who I’ll discuss later. That’s why quick weapon switching is such a valuable mechanic. Obsidian wants you to constantly adapt, seamlessly shifting from ranged attacks to shield blocks within seconds. And that’s what makes the combat so enjoyable. I won’t deny that there were moments when I thought, “Ugh, another fight?”—but not because I found them boring. I just wanted to explore more of the Living Lands.

A Stunning Fantasy World

Obsidian has crafted one of the most breathtaking and detailed fantasy worlds I’ve ever seen. Everywhere you look, there’s something calling out for you to explore. What makes this RPG truly special is that no place ever feels empty—every corner hides a treasure, a secret, or a piece of lore worth discovering.

This isn’t a traditional open world but rather a series of large, interconnected maps, where nearly every inch holds something meaningful. And for me, that’s perfect. Avowed is one of those games that awaken the adventurer within you. It constantly nudges you off the beaten path, encouraging you to chase down mysteries and rewards. And honestly, resisting that pull is nearly impossible.

How could you ignore the towering lighthouse in the distance? Even if you’re in the middle of a quest, chances are you’ll stumble upon a hidden trail leading to new discoveries. The experience is only enhanced by the game’s smooth and responsive movement system, which makes exploration feel effortless.

Exploration Rewards the Curious

Avowed is the kind of RPG that encourages curiosity. In some ways, it almost feels like a medieval Dying Light—though, let’s be clear, that’s a very loose comparison. It doesn’t have true parkour mechanics, but there’s a fluidity to movement: you can sprint, slide, and even use these actions as attacks if you upgrade the right skills. The variety in environments is also outstanding. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the game throws an entirely new region, ancient ruins, or a hidden underground sanctuary at you, leaving you in awe.

But don’t underestimate the dungeons either. They’re not just eerie and visually stunning, but they often offer multiple paths, allowing you to tackle challenges in different ways. Sometimes, you can even sneak your way through, avoiding unnecessary fights. The signature Obsidian design is evident throughout. However, I do have one gripe: the game’s action-heavy focus means that puzzles and platforming challenges—when they do appear—work surprisingly well, but they’re underutilized.

And this brings me to my biggest complaint. While combat is dynamic and fun, the way quests and world interactions work still feel somewhat dated. At times, it can be jarring.

If you play Avowed, get ready to open a ridiculous number of chests. They’re everywhere. But you might be surprised to find that most don’t contain legendary weapons. Sure, those exist, but the game is designed to encourage upgrading your existing gear rather than constantly swapping it out. This means less time comparing loot and more time refining your equipment. Upgrading happens at camps—an essential feature in any great RPG. Here, you can craft better materials, enhance weapons, brew potions and food, and even apply enchantments to legendary gear. The system is simple yet intuitive.

Four Companions, Endless Possibilities

Since we’re talking about camps, let’s discuss your companions. Obsidian is known for creating memorable characters, and Avowed is no exception. You’ll be joined by four unique adventurers, each with well-developed personalities. Talking to them is enjoyable, and their dynamic interactions during your journey make them feel alive. It’s hard not to be curious about their backstories and motivations. Plus, your decisions subtly influence their opinions of you—there’s no binary “love or hate” system here. Handle things well, and they might even grant you stat boosts.

And in case you’re wondering—no, there are no romance options. And honestly? I didn’t miss them.

Beyond their personal stories (which come with their own quests), your companions play a key role in combat. In some battles, they’re absolutely essential. You can issue simple commands, such as “Hold them off!” or “Take the shot!”—exactly what you’d expect from a well-designed RPG party system. Each companion fills a classic role: a sharpshooter, a tanky warrior, a healer, and a spellcaster. Depending on your playstyle, you’ll find some more useful than others. There aren’t many customization options beyond selecting which skills to improve when they level up, but I never felt like it was lacking. It’s yet another layer of depth that makes combat consistently rewarding.

Role-Playing Without Limits

I could spend hours talking about Avowed and everything I love about it—the stunning landscapes, the smart level design, the toughest battles, or the countless choices you’ll face. I’ve spent over 35 hours exploring the Living Lands, and I still want to return to complete the challenges I’ve left behind. This is a game that changes drastically depending on your decisions. It gives you so much freedom that you could even miss out on an entire skill tree exclusive to your hero.

That said, I did wish for a little more variety at times. Not everything should be about fighting hordes of monsters. But the story is so engaging, and you’re given so many ways to shape the world, that it’s impossible not to enjoy every moment.

Visually, Avowed is stunning. You don’t need me to tell you that—just look at the screenshots. But there are some limitations. Dialogue sequences aren’t as visually polished as in other modern RPGs. Don’t expect cinematic camera work—characters mostly stand in place and talk. And while that might feel outdated, it’s a deliberate choice. Avowed spends its resources on what truly matters: the story, without unnecessary distractions.

The world also feels somewhat artificial. It’s visually breathtaking—few RPGs look this good—but the NPCs feel static, like background scenery. They mostly stand at their designated spots, waiting for you to interact with them. And outside of towns, the environments can feel empty. You’ll see some wildlife, but for the most part, you’re fighting monsters rather than exploring a bustling, living world. But these drawbacks are minor compared to everything this fantasy universe offers. You can explore in first-person—my preferred way to play—or third-person, though character animations in this mode sometimes feel a little stiff.

In terms of performance, I played primarily on PC with an RTX 4070 Ti at Ultra settings, and Avowed ran beautifully. The Steam Deck version also holds up well, though with obvious graphical compromises. Finally, on Xbox Series X, the game looks fantastic and runs smoothly—at least during the first few hours I tested.

All the Best of Obsidian, with a Few Shortcomings

Avowed’s flaws are easy to spot. It’s not the most original RPG, and in some ways, it even feels a bit simplistic. But it’s an adventure you shouldn’t miss because it has everything we love about Obsidian. The story is expertly written, the characters are genuinely interesting, and it’s one of those RPGs that can leave you frozen for minutes, agonizing over which choice is the lesser evil—wondering which decision will make you feel less terrible. And that’s what makes it special.

Returning to the Pillars of Eternity world was a fantastic experience. While I wished for more variety in the action and a more interactive world, this is still an RPG that’s a joy to play.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-

Publisher: Obsidian Entertainment

Developer: Obsidian Entertainment

Genre: RPG

Release Date: February 18, 2025