Avowed: Is It Worth It? Our Honest Verdict
Introduction
For years, Obsidian Entertainment has existed in a peculiar space within the RPG landscape. They are the studio that made Fallout: New Vegas, the game that many consider the pinnacle of the series. They created Pillars of Eternity, a love letter to classic CRPGs that proved the genre still had life. And they gave us The Outer Worlds, a spacefaring adventure that captured the spirit of Fallout in a new galaxy. But for all their critical acclaim, Obsidian has often been a studio that operates in the shadow of giants, crafting excellent games that never quite achieved mainstream blockbuster status.
Avowed arrives as their most ambitious project yet, a first-person fantasy RPG set in the beloved world of Eora, the setting of the Pillars of Eternity games. It was released on February 13, 2025, for PC and Xbox Series X|S, and it arrived with significant weight on its shoulders. This was the game that would prove Obsidian could deliver a AAA blockbuster on the scale of Skyrim. And for the most part, it succeeds. But it also arrives with a Metacritic score of 80 on Xbox Series X and 77 on PC, a solid but not spectacular reception that has left some fans wondering if it lives up to the studio’s legacy. We have spent dozens of hours exploring the Living Lands, and we are ready to deliver our verdict. So, after all that, we have to ask: is Avowed worth your time and credits? Let’s break it down.
Quick Verdict Box
TL;DR: Avowed is a confident, polished action RPG that captures the best of Obsidian’s storytelling and world-building while delivering some of the most satisfying combat in the genre. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it polishes it to a shine. Its dense, handcrafted world is a joy to explore, and its sharp writing and memorable companions make the journey worthwhile. However, technical hiccups, a streamlined RPG experience, and a narrative that doesn’t quite reach the heights of Obsidian’s best work hold it back from true greatness.
Buy it if:
- You love first-person RPGs with satisfying combat and meaningful exploration
- You appreciate Obsidian’s signature writing, world-building, and character work
- You want a dense, handcrafted RPG experience that respects your time
Skip it if:
- You are looking for a sprawling, 100-hour open-world epic like Skyrim
- You expect deep, complex RPG systems with extensive character building
- You have a low tolerance for technical issues and performance hiccups
What Is Avowed?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Developer | Obsidian Entertainment |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Genre | First-Person Action RPG |
| Platforms | PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S |
| Price | $69.99 / £59.99 / €69.99 (also available on Game Pass) |
| Release Date | February 13, 2025 |
Avowed is a first-person action RPG set in the world of Eora, the same universe as Obsidian’s critically acclaimed Pillars of Eternity games. You play as the Envoy, a representative of the Aedyran Empire sent to investigate a mysterious plague known as the Dreamscourge in the frontier region of the Living Lands. The game is a spiritual successor to Skyrim in many ways, but with a tighter, more focused design philosophy. It is available on PC and Xbox Series X|S, and it is also included with Xbox Game Pass from day one.
Gameplay & Mechanics
Combat: Punchy, Responsive, and Addictive
If there is one thing that Avowed gets unequivocally right, it is combat. This is not the clunky first-person melee that has plagued so many RPGs. Instead, Avowed delivers combat that feels responsive, dynamic, and genuinely fun. Whether you are swinging a sword, firing a gun, or hurling spells, every encounter feels impactful.
The game offers a high degree of build freedom, allowing you to combine different weapons and abilities in creative ways. You can dual-wield pistols, wield a greatsword and a spellbook, or mix and match to suit your playstyle. The combat is challenging enough that you cannot simply mow down every enemy you see, at least until you outlevel them, at which point you feel like you have earned your victory lap. As one review put it, “Combat is so fun that each encounter feels exciting”.
Exploration: A Dense, Handcrafted World
The world of the Living Lands is a masterpiece of compact, thoughtful design. Instead of a sprawling, empty open world, Avowed offers densely packed zones that are bursting with content. Every path leads somewhere interesting, and there is something to discover around literally every corner.
The game rewards exploration generously. You will stumble upon legendary items, lore books, and crafting components simply by taking the path less traveled. The side quests are compelling and often feature meaningful choices that can alter the world state. As one Reddit user put it, “There are actually meaningful things to find!” This is an “old-school” approach to world design that feels refreshing in an era of “explore anywhere, anytime” games.
RPG Systems: Streamlined but Satisfying
This is where Avowed is most divisive. The RPG systems are more streamlined than Obsidian’s previous work. You can pretty much do everything with your character, and you don’t have to commit to a specific build. This makes the game more accessible to newcomers, but it may disappoint players who were hoping for the deep, complex character building of Pillars of Eternity.
The game features a robust dialogue system with branching choices that can have meaningful consequences. Your decisions matter, and the game reacts to them in ways that feel organic. However, some critics have noted that the narrative lacks the impact of Obsidian’s best work, and the companions, while charming, don’t always feel essential to the experience.
Story & Presentation
Narrative: Sharp Writing, Familiar Beats
The story of Avowed is classic Obsidian. You are the envoy of the Aedyran Emperor, sent to the Living Lands to investigate a mysterious plague. Along the way, you are joined by four companions: Kai, a former Rauatai soldier; Marius, a lone wolf hunter; Giatta, an animancer scientist; and Yatzli, a scholar of the Living Lands.
The writing is sharp, the dialogue is engaging, and the characters are well-developed. Kai, in particular, has been singled out as a standout companion. The story tackles themes of duty, faith, and the consequences of colonialism, and it does so with a level of sophistication that is rare in the genre. However, the overall narrative arc can feel familiar, and some critics have noted that it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Obsidian’s best work.
Visuals: Eora Has Never Looked Better
Visually, Avowed is a treat. Eora has never looked better, with vibrant colors, stunning art direction, and a consistent visual language that makes the world feel cohesive and alive. The game has a distinct art style that sets it apart from other fantasy RPGs, and the environments are richly detailed. As one review put it, “The areas aren’t that big… but every area is clearly designed with thought and purpose.” The visual design is one of the game’s strongest assets.
Audio: A World That Feels Alive
The audio design is equally impressive. The voice acting is top-tier, bringing the cast of characters to life. The sound effects are punchy and satisfying, especially in combat. The ambient audio makes the Living Lands feel bustling with life. The soundtrack, while not as memorable as some of Obsidian’s previous work, complements the action effectively.
Performance & Technical
This is where Avowed has faced its most significant criticism. The game launched with a range of performance issues, particularly on PC. Players reported stuttering, frame rate drops, and crashes. Even on high-end hardware, the game struggled to maintain a consistent frame rate.
The issues were particularly pronounced in towns and cities, where frame rates could dip into the 25-29 fps range. On the Steam Deck, the game required the lowest quality settings to maintain a playable frame rate. The game is built on Unreal Engine 5, which has been prone to typical UE problems, including shader compilation stutters.
Obsidian has released several patches to address these issues, including update 2.1, which fixed FPS limits, DLSS, and various bugs. However, some performance problems persist. On Xbox Series X, the game runs at a smoother 60fps, but even there, some technical hiccups remain.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
How It Compares
| Game | Price | Playtime | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avowed | $69.99 | 30-40 hours | Dense, handcrafted action RPG with excellent combat and sharp writing |
| Skyrim | $39.99 | 100+ hours | Sprawling open-world fantasy RPG with deep systems and endless content |
| The Outer Worlds | $59.99 | 20-30 hours | Spacefaring RPG with Obsidian’s signature writing and choices |
Avowed is a smaller, more focused experience than Skyrim. It doesn’t offer the same sprawling open world or deep systems, but it compensates with tighter combat and a more curated experience. Compared to The Outer Worlds, it is a more polished and ambitious game, but it shares the same streamlined approach to RPG systems. For fans of Obsidian’s work, Avowed is a solid addition to the studio’s portfolio, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of their best games.
Who Should Buy This?
For fans of first-person RPGs: If you love games like Skyrim but wish the combat was better, Avowed is a perfect fit. It delivers satisfying, responsive combat in a beautifully crafted world.
For players who appreciate Obsidian’s writing: The sharp dialogue, memorable companions, and meaningful choices are quintessential Obsidian. If you enjoyed The Outer Worlds or Pillars of Eternity, you will find a lot to love here.
For players looking for a focused RPG experience: Avowed respects your time. It doesn’t waste it with endless fetch quests or empty spaces. Every area is designed with purpose, and the 30-40 hour runtime feels appropriate for the scope of the adventure.
For players seeking a deep, complex RPG: This is not Pillars of Eternity in first-person. The RPG systems are streamlined, and you can do everything with your character without committing to a build. If you are looking for deep character building, you may be disappointed.
For players sensitive to technical issues: The PC version has faced significant performance problems. If you are playing on PC and have a low tolerance for stuttering and frame drops, you may want to wait for further patches or consider playing on Xbox Series X.
THE GLH RATING
Our Take: After spending dozens of hours exploring the Living Lands, we came away impressed by what Obsidian has achieved, and frustrated by what it hasn’t. Avowed is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be: a focused, polished action RPG that delivers satisfying combat, sharp writing, and a beautifully crafted world. It doesn’t try to be Skyrim, and that is a strength. But it also doesn’t quite reach the heights of Obsidian’s best work. The combat is exceptional, the exploration is rewarding, and the world is a joy to explore. But the streamlined RPG systems, the narrative that doesn’t always land, and the persistent technical issues hold it back from true greatness. It is a very good game that could have been a masterpiece.
Overall Score: 8.2 / 10
★★★★☆
Verdict: GREAT
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Gameplay | 8.5 / 10 |
| Story & Presentation | 8.0 / 10 |
| Performance & Polish | 7.0 / 10 |
| Value for Money | 7.5 / 10 |
| Replayability | 8.0 / 1 |
FAQ
Is Avowed worth buying?
Yes, if you are a fan of first-person RPGs and appreciate Obsidian’s signature style. The game has an 80 Metascore on Xbox and a 77 on PC, with an 82 on OpenCritic. It is a solid, polished action RPG that delivers excellent combat and a beautifully crafted world. However, the performance issues on PC and the streamlined RPG systems may disappoint some players. At $69.99, it is a significant investment, but it is also available on Game Pass.
Is Avowed worth it on PC?
The PC version has faced significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and crashes. While patches have addressed some of these issues, some problems persist. If you have a high-end PC and are willing to troubleshoot, you can have a great experience. If you prefer a more stable experience, the Xbox Series X version is recommended.
How long to beat Avowed?
The main story takes around 30-40 hours. If you explore all side content, you can expect 50-60 hours. The game is a focused experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
Is Avowed worth full price?
At $69.99, the game is priced like a AAA blockbuster. The 30-40 hour runtime, excellent combat, and polished world make it a worthwhile purchase for fans of the genre. However, if you are unsure, it is available on Game Pass, making it an excellent value for subscribers. The Steam version has received mixed reviews on value, with some players feeling the price is too high for a streamlined experience.
Is Avowed like Skyrim?
In many ways, yes. It is a first-person fantasy RPG set in an open world. But where Skyrim is sprawling and open-ended, Avowed is more focused and dense. It doesn’t have the same depth of systems or the same scale, but it has much better combat and a more curated world.
Does Avowed have good companions?
Yes. The four companions, Kai, Marius, Giatta, and Yatzli, are well-written and voiced. Kai, in particular, has been singled out as a standout character. However, some critics have noted that the companions lack the depth of those in other RPGs.
Is Avowed a Pillars of Eternity game?
It is set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity. It takes place on the continent of the Living Lands and features the same races, gods, and lore. However, it is a first-person action RPG rather than a CRPG. You don’t need to have played Pillars of Eternity to enjoy it, but fans of the series will appreciate the connections.
Conclusion
Avowed is a game that wears its ambitions on its sleeve. It wants to be the game that proves Obsidian can compete with the biggest names in the RPG genre. And for the most part, it succeeds. The combat is exceptional, the world is beautifully crafted, and the writing is sharp and engaging. But it is also a game that is held back by technical issues, streamlined systems, and a narrative that doesn’t quite reach the heights of the studio’s best work.
It is not the next Skyrim, and it doesn’t try to be. It is a smaller, more focused experience that respects your time and rewards exploration. It is a game that will appeal to fans of first-person RPGs and Obsidian’s signature style. But it is also a game that leaves you wanting more, more depth, more complexity, and more of the magic that made Pillars of Eternity and Fallout: New Vegas so special.
If you are looking for a polished, satisfying action RPG with excellent combat and a beautiful world, Avowed is an easy recommendation. But if you are looking for the next genre-defining masterpiece, you may need to look elsewhere.
Final recommendation: Buy it if you love first-person RPGs and Obsidian’s style. It is a great game that is well worth your time, especially if you have Game Pass.
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