Avowed

About

Avowed is a single player role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and was released on February 18, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG set in the mystical Living Lands of Eora, an island steeped in ancient magic and mystery. Players investigate a spreading, unnatural plague while uncovering secrets that connect them deeply to the land. Choices made throughout the journey profoundly impact the fate of the island and its inhabitants.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+23

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78%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,616 reviews

story1.9k positive mentions

optimization163 negative mentions

Beautiful graphics and vibrant world design that rewards exploration.
Engaging combat system with a variety of playstyles and abilities.
Interesting story with meaningful choices that impact the game world.

Performance issues, including stuttering and crashes, especially after recent patches.
Limited character customization and companion depth compared to previous Obsidian titles.
Repetitive enemy types and combat mechanics that can become monotonous over time.

story
5,667 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
61%
5%
The story of "Avowed" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative and character development, particularly for those familiar with the "Pillars of Eternity" universe. While some found the main plot predictable and the dialogue occasionally tedious, others praised the meaningful choices that impact the story's outcome and the depth of the lore. Overall, the game is seen as a solid RPG experience with a compelling story, though it may not reach the narrative heights of its predecessors.
- “The story and characters kept me interested enough to keep playing, but it doesn't have an insane level of depth.”
- “An interesting story, memorable characters, absolutely stunning environments, and all the love I expect from an Obsidian Studios project.”
- “The story is engaging, the dialogue options are varied, the choices are fairly meaningful with interesting outcomes that you can stumble across later, and the game itself is beautiful and well optimized.”
- “The story is boring, lacks a good premise, and has overly emotional NPCs.”
- “The main story is fairly predictable, and the writing seems to be up to Obsidian's fairly high standards.”
- “The story is shallow and tedious, with very few of your choices mattering at all.”
gameplay
1,548 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
59%
6%
The gameplay of "Avowed" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its fun and engaging combat mechanics, smooth traversal, and visually stunning environments. However, criticisms highlight a lack of depth in RPG mechanics, repetitive gameplay loops, and a limited variety of enemies and interactions, leading to a feeling of shallowness compared to other titles in the genre. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable moments and a solid core experience, it may not meet the expectations of those seeking a more complex RPG experience.
- “It has very good traversal mechanics, combat is excellent, an engaging way to craft items and an economy that actually makes you do choices and specialize!”
- “The gameplay is fun, combat feels smooth, and I like how the companion system works.”
- “The gameplay loop is so satisfying and I love mixing and matching loadouts for weapons.”
- “For all the beautiful scenery and cool fungi-based designs, Avowed has the same amount of equally dull lore and gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly dull and shallow, the story is bland, tropey and forgettable, and the game's interface and menu systems are insipid, if not outright useless.”
- “The gameplay loop is so copy-paste; it's a grind to finish.”
graphics
1,237 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
42%
3%
The graphics in "Avowed" have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals and vibrant art style, effectively bringing the game's world to life. Many players noted the impressive level design and attention to detail, although some experienced performance issues and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered a highlight, opinions vary on the art style's appeal and the game's optimization.
- “The graphics are stunning, with beautiful environments and attention to detail that really bring the world to life.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous and the gameplay is so fun, and the story is so cool and interesting!”
- “The visuals are absolutely stunning and the story is engaging and well rounded.”
- “The graphics are subpar for what they could have been.”
- “The story feels uninspired, the graphics are underwhelming, and exploration lacks any real reward or purpose.”
- “The graphics are cartoonish, which I could forgive, but the rest of the game follows the same hollow game design that AAA studios have been doing for years.”
optimization
636 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
52%
26%
The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe stuttering, low frame rates, and crashes, particularly in populated areas and during combat. Despite some users finding temporary relief through mods or patches, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, especially for mid-range systems, making it unplayable for many. Overall, players recommend waiting for significant performance updates before purchasing.
- “The gameplay and optimization, in my experience, are actually really well done.”
- “The graphics look great, optimization is perfect, and it easily runs at 120 fps.”
- “The game runs smoothly and I haven't encountered any bugs so far in almost 30 hours.”
- “The performance of this game is garbage; I have a decent gaming PC (GPU: RTX 3070, CPU: 14700K, RAM 32 GB DDR5) and my system struggles even at 1440p at medium to low settings.”
- “The game is a stuttering, laggy mess; the constant lag and stuttering made it unplayable for me.”
- “Unfortunately, the game's performance makes sure that destiny will never be fulfilled; the optimization is absolute garbage.”
music
244 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
47%
5%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the stunning visuals, while others find it repetitive and forgettable. Many noted that while the soundtrack can create emotional moments during exploration, it often lacks memorable tracks and fails to leave a lasting impression. Overall, the music is described as decent but not on par with the standout scores from previous titles by the developers.
- “The music swells up as you look over the beauty of the living lands, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the exploration experience.”
- “The soundtrack is often understated but is equally wonderful, occasionally swelling into beautiful arrangements that have a classic ARPG feel to them.”
- “The music and sound of the game perfectly complement the beautiful world, enhancing the overall immersion and experience.”
- “The soundtrack is dull and has no noteworthy tracks, which is a must for an open world game like this.”
- “The music is terrible and the writing out of the main quest is not very good.”
- “Music - nothing worth remembering, there's literally 0 songs I remember from this game; music that just goes into one ear and leaves in another.”
stability
189 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
1%
78%
The stability of "Avowed" has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as frequent freezes, stuttering, and crashes, particularly in urban areas. While some users experienced minimal bugs and found the game generally playable, others faced game-breaking glitches that hindered progress. Overall, the game appears to have a range of stability experiences, from relatively smooth performance to frustrating technical problems, suggesting that players may need to wait for further patches to improve the situation.
- “If you haven't played Pillars and/or aren't a huge sci-fi/fantasy reader or RPG fan, the game does fall back on strong, smooth, and satisfying gameplay in a beautiful world that was essentially bug-free for me.”
- “The game is beautiful and bug-free.”
- “The game also runs great for me even though my PC is getting older and I haven't had any crashes so far.”
- “Game freezes for a good 20 seconds, then the frame times become uncivilized.”
- “I have gone through about 5 hours of troubleshooting to find that it is simply broken and has remained that way for almost two months after an update.”
- “The game is so buggy and has a ton of technical issues.”
humor
173 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the witty dialogue and funny interactions between companions, which often evoke genuine laughter. However, some critiques highlight that the humor can feel forced or out of place, with pop culture references and attempts at edgy jokes falling flat. Overall, while the game features moments of clever and engaging humor, it struggles with consistency, leading to a varied reception among players.
- “Obsidian's brand of humor is all throughout this game; a lot of moments genuinely made me laugh out loud.”
- “The camp conversations between the companions added a lot of life, while also being interesting and funny.”
- “I found it humorous that one NPC completely deadpans his commentary about a brothel while the other looks like an Appalachian cryptid hunter and grins in all the wrong ways.”
- “I was a big fan of The Outer Worlds before it came out, and when it did, I was a little disappointed by the inconsistent tone and, at times, unfunny dialogue. I have never finished it because of those reasons, along with the lackluster writing that failed to hook me.”
grinding
171 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
3%
91%
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in later areas where combat and gear upgrades become a slog. While some appreciate the meaningful side quests and exploration, others criticize the resource gathering and crafting systems as overly grindy, detracting from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game struggles with balancing engaging gameplay and the grind associated with gear progression and combat encounters.
- “The side quests feel meaningful and aren't tedious fetch/slay/carry message tasks.”
- “One playthrough amounted to over 80 hours of pure exploration and story for me - no grinding or repetitive nonsense.”
- “I can play my build from the very start, no waiting, no searching out random equipment, no grinding out skills.”
- “By area 3, everything becomes more tedious, and I was completely checked out by area 4.”
- “The exploration and looting are tedious and unengaging; even the unique weapons hidden behind secrets feel so underwhelming, and the general looting system is just an herb collector simulator.”
- “The crafting system is a little tedious, but it makes focusing on a specific build easier as you can level your equipment with you, so once you find a weapon you like, you can just tier it up all the way to the end game.”
replayability
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
70%
8%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting the potential for varied playthroughs due to impactful choices, character builds, and different playstyles. While some appreciate the depth of decision-making and the ability to explore multiple outcomes, others criticize the lack of a New Game Plus feature and a linear storyline that diminishes long-term replay value. Overall, it offers decent replayability for those who enjoy experimenting with different character builds and choices, but it may not satisfy players seeking extensive replay options.
- “The characters are great, the main quest is amazing, and even though it is less free-form than an RPG like Skyrim, there is still a ton of replay value; major plot beats that I thought were too important to possibly have happened otherwise were actually the product of a whole host of choices I made, only some of them obvious or marked.”
- “With multiple possible builds that play out differently and many branching choices, the replay value is good for at least another run.”
- “Fun and varied gameplay with loads of replayability due to impactful story decisions and options for player progression.”
- “Conclusion; this is not a real Obsidian title, it's shallow, repetitive, overpriced, boring, and has no replayability.”
- “Skyrim at release with no mods/patches/DLC has at least 10 times the content and far more replayability; this game has virtually no replayability unless you just want to do the 'exact' same story with a slightly different playstyle.”
- “There is zero replayability unless you make a new character, in which whatever new choices you'll make won't make a huge difference in that second playthrough.”
emotional
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
89%
11%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits mixed responses from players, with some praising its heartfelt storytelling, complex character arcs, and impactful choices that evoke genuine feelings. However, others criticize the narrative for being bland or overly reliant on emotional NPCs, leading to a disconnect in engagement. Overall, while many found moments of emotional resonance and depth, others felt the game fell short in delivering a consistently compelling emotional experience.
- “The story is heartfelt, the combat feels good, and the world is absolutely gorgeous.”
- “I was touched emotionally by the stories in the game several times and thought quite a bit about some tough decisions.”
- “It made me feel emotional and conflicted about what to choose.”
- “Do not buy this game, bland storytelling, bland characters, bland ending, bland dialogue, exploration is pointless and gives no real gain, boring story with a boring ending. I regret playing this game at all.”
- “An illusion of choice, mediocre combat, boring storytelling, and annoying companions.”
- “The major turn offs were obvious right off the bat from the characters' robot-like animation & head jerks, holding of the wand like you're holding a beer bottle, and a super boring story/quests/etc from NPCs.”
character development
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
54%
17%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the depth and engagement of companion interactions and storytelling, while others criticize it for being rigid, predictable, and lacking meaningful evolution throughout the game. The writing and dialogue are noted as strong points, but many feel that character arcs often peak too late or are overshadowed by uninspired character designs and limited player agency. Overall, while there are moments of brilliance, the character development system is seen as simplistic and could benefit from greater depth and player impact.
- “Companion interactions and character development/storytelling is this studio's strongest suit, and it definitely shines here.”
- “The game was super dynamic, the graphics were incredible, and the character development was leading in an excellent direction.”
- “I enjoy the story and characters, particularly Yatzli (it's actually weirdly refreshing to have a companion who is happily married in an RPG like this?) and Kai, whose story and character development I enjoyed the more I sat with it.”
- “I have finished, as far as I can tell, every quest relevant to any of them and can’t well say that they actually experienced notable character development past whatever conflict their personal quest was about.”
- “Unfortunately, this leads to feeling like you were strung along because it hints at deep game systems, world exploration, character development, and combat throughout the game, but never quite sticks the landing on pretty much anything.”
- “Dialogue choices also feel forced and unnatural, often failing to reflect organic character development or meaningful player agency.”
atmosphere
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
53%
4%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, with players noting the beautifully crafted environments, stunning graphics, and evocative soundtracks that enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight the distinct atmospheres of different regions, creating a sense of exploration and adventure, while some express disappointment in the lack of dynamic NPC interactions that could further enrich the world. Overall, the game successfully combines art, music, and world-building to create a vibrant and engaging atmosphere that draws players into its narrative and conflicts.
- “The atmosphere is Obsidian's best by far; I had so many moments where I just had to stand and stare at a beautiful vista or just revel in the excellent background score.”
- “Every region you explore feels handcrafted, alive, and dripping with atmosphere.”
- “The art style and animation work in tandem to create a stunningly beautiful and immersive atmosphere throughout all of the areas.”
- “The story, settings, and atmosphere make you feel like you're in this world (besides its very boring NPCs) and involved in the conflicts at hand.”
- “Overall, the atmosphere just doesn't feel as desperate or interesting despite all the colors and scenery which are not lacking.”
- “Edit: 'there are no unscripted conversations between NPCs' the NPCs stand near each other, statically pretending to be talking with each other at all times, not just when they are having a conversation when the player passes by, creating an odd silent atmosphere.”
monetization
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
9%
78%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing it as a cash grab filled with microtransactions and misleading advertising. While some appreciate the absence of in-game purchases and the game's overall quality, others feel that the developers have prioritized profit over creativity, leading to a lackluster experience reminiscent of mobile games. Overall, the sentiment leans towards disappointment in the industry's trend of prioritizing monetization over genuine game development.
- “Overall, it's a game that looks gorgeous, plays incredibly, and released fully complete with no microtransactions or DLC.”
- “No microtransactions in-depth character trees for added replay value amazing gameplay ”
- “[i] microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
- “We lost the war against DLC, we lost the war against pre-orders, we lost the war against in-game purchases, we lost the war against VR, we lost... so many wars... why are we still here?”
- “Whole thing stinks of cash grab with minimal effort from a creatively bankrupt team.”
- “Just like Bethesda, they have stopped trying to make good games and are only focused on quick cash grabs, betraying their fans in the process.”