Avowed Review (Xbox Series X/S & PC)

With the sequel to Elden Ring still unlikely to be launched anytime soon, The Elder Scrolls VI still a long way off, and fewer alternative titles competing at par, Avowed may be the title that scratches the itch for action RPG-ing into fantasy worlds. Sure, it may not be at the same level, but based on the trailer and the pedigree of its developing studio, Obsidian Entertainment, there’s potential here for a truly remarkable experience. Now that the game is out, it’s time to see whether Obsidian delivered, the key question being whether they have managed to take the action RPG to new heights. For all purposes and intent, here’s our deep-dive Avowed review. 

Godlike, You Are

You might be surprised to learn that Avowed’s setting isn’t entirely new. Those who remember the Pillars of Eternity series will probably recognize some areas, characters, and story references. While the series uses an isometric view, the new game portrays the world of Eora in first-person view. This really drives home the nostalgic impact, though newcomers will still find their way around without a fret. As a godlike being who is free to customize between the Elf and the human race, you’ll embark on your typical action RPG adventure. Typical because the playthrough here is as you might expect: explore the world, complete quests, fight the bad guys, get XP and upgrades, and so on. It’s in no way restricted to a specific order, with mostly freedom of roaming around as you please. For the most part, though, action RPG veterans will quickly find their rhythm here.

It’s, to an extent, disappointing that Avowed doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. It plays it a little too safe, relying solely on its dense lore and rich story to deliver on its promise. Judging by Obsidian’s ambition and experience, though, I expected to swim in innovation and creativity. Yet by sticking to the norm and instead focusing on worldbuilding and character development, Avowed still manages to please. See, the world of Eora is the most charming place, even with the web-ridden caverns and maddened creatures you’ll meet. It’s vibrant color and intricate detail have come together to bring out a beautiful fantasy world you can’t help venturing further into. As much as the main quest lingers, branching off the beaten path comes naturally and effortlessly even if it’s to simply take in the sights and discover hidden treasure. 

The Dreamscourge

Speaking of the main quest, you’re not just wandering around. There’s an urgent task you’ve been accorded as part of an overseas Emperor’s envoy. A mysterious plague is driving creatures mad before consuming them with fungal infestations. It’s nature versus humankind in the worst ways possible. Not to mention that the plague, alongside rising political tension, has plunged the society into chaos. It’s within these trying times that you’re sent to investigate and survive. Let not the “godlike being” fool you. At best, it sets you apart from the characters you encounter who share a distaste toward your kind. So often, even with the freedom to interact with NPCs, you’ll often need to win them over on side quest missions or dialogue choices. 

That’s not to say that meeting the NPCs is fruitless. The side quests help to open up Eora some more and help you find your way through more intrigue and ancient mysteries. Whether it’s the strong writing or the tons of secrets tucked away through hidden pools and smashed walls, Avowed often has clever ways to hook you. It shares the struggles of the NPCs you meet and enables you to understand your party members more. But it also makes room to fulfill your gaming desires. You even stumble onto mini puzzles that fill up your journey with things to do. Nothing feels like a waste of opportunity or time. But that’s only in the first few hours of your playthrough. 

Nearly There

As much as the side quests build on vital lore and deepen character stories, they soon grow on you. Granted, it’s less of an Avowed issue and more of an action RPG faulty pipe. It’s always finding the NPCs needing help with something that’s often fetching an item and defeating enemies. Also, as much as Avowed’s writing is strong (very rarely did I feel the need to skip dialog), some sections may feel insufficient in fully exploring the NPCs’ stories. While you can have party members and even chat by the campfire, the connections between them feel sparse. Often, Avowed focuses on characters’ reactions to your choices, which, while it helps to add impact to your decisions, means the characters’ lives revolve around you. And that’s fine, I guess, except you’re left wanting to bond deeper with some of the more quirky and even NPCs who tease you. 

This issue seeps into the combat, where its full potential feels at arm’s length. There are melee and ranged options. Both are extensive. For melee, you can equip double-handed hammers, agile daggers, and defensive shields. However, there lacks a lock-on mechanic, making the combat clunky. Surprisingly, rather than feel frustrating, it raises the difficulty to a fun extent. Weapons are far-ranging, from swords to shields and bows and arrows. You even have guns that you’ll be less inclined to use more often. If you’d rather be a Wizard, you have your grimoire and magic wand. These have varying abilities with AoE lightning bolts that can travel through pools of water and flamethrowers. There’s freedom to switch between the two sets of weapons and gear you can equip. But as much fun as the combat is, its reward runs out by the third and final map.

Sweet Spot

See, Avowed’s combat hardly thrives on skill and progression. You’ll be relying on an invisible point of progress to track the success of your attacks and defenses. Meanwhile, progression follows your usual skill tree. The more upgrades you find while exploring the world, the higher your character level. This makes the enemies you encounter an easier feat. With every enemy kill, you climb up the skill radar, and your combat performance reflects accordingly. It’s all methodological and difficult to find a workaround. In the end, you have no choice but to comply with Avowed’s way of doing things. Yet you could look at it from the perspective that it pushes you to explore each map extensively. 

It all depends on how you look at it: arrive on a new map to find the enemies particularly difficult to beat. But take some time exploring, and you’ll find the upgrades you need to then return and make a piece of work out of them. If you’re keen, there’s a sweet spot between the too-difficult and the too-easy where the combat clicks. You’ll be dismantling foes with a great balance between skill (or the illusion of it) and challenge. Seeing enemies fly through the air as you explode them to bits. Then looting their dead bodies before they’ve gone cold is damn satisfying. Your spellcasting abilities, in particular, are pretty fun, so long as you can keep your distance from dangerous foes. But once the upgrades kick in, it begins to feel like a chore, especially when working your way through waves of enemies. 

Verdict

Avowed takes you through the motions. At first, you’re getting up to speed with the fantasy world of Eora. Creatures are subdued by vibrant floral growths. The world, too, brightens up in its purple and pink colors. It’s much unlike most action RPG worlds you might have seen. You often are left in awe, drifting away from the beaten path to discover ancient mysteries and bathe in the intrigue of it all. On the worldbuilding front, Avowed has hit all the right spots. Even in its detail and content, you’re almost always stumbling upon a tantalizing secret that adds to vital lore. 

The world isn’t what you’ll be at grips with. For some, the NPCs will be sure to please. They inherit Obsidian’s prowess in witty and strong writing. You almost never feel the urge to skip dialog. Even the chats by the fire are refreshing, no matter whether your compatriots are at odds with you. Yet the character stories could have gone deeper. Even the protagonist himself, besides grappling with his place among the gods, could have used more deep-dive. 

Any issue arising from half-baked NPCs is soon soothed by the fun combat system. Whether wielding your sword, wand, or gun, blasting foes to oblivion feels satisfying. You quickly sink into the rhythm of combat, anticipating your next victim with delight. Unfortunately, the sense of reward wears off by the third and fourth maps as the side quests, loot, and combat begin to feel repetitive. Much like most action RPGs, there’s only so much fetch quests and looting you can do before you’ve seen it all. Yet Avowed has its own unique way of sustaining intrigue through to the end. Despite repetitiveness creeping in, Avowed is ultimately held up by the breathtaking exploration of Eora.