Obsidian’s highly anticipated RPG Avowed has just had its first accidental review leak ahead of the official embargo, setting close watchers of the upcoming game abuzz. An early review from Charles Hartford of But Why Tho? mistakenly went live on OpenCritic, awarding the game a 9.5/10. The review has since been taken down, but this bodes very well for Avowed and its fans.
The review snippet that appeared on OpenCritic went:
“9.5/10
Avowed marks another triumph for the folks at Obsidian. Through its gorgeous world, memorable characters, frenzied combat, and intuitive yet deep customization system, it highlights player agency. Everywhere in its gameplay and narrative, ensuring that each playthrough offers something new. More importantly, it does so while never compromising the strength of its core story.”
Obsidian’s Track Record: A Reason for Optimism?
Obsidian Entertainment has long been known for crafting compelling RPGs, from Fallout: New Vegas to The Outer Worlds. Fans have largely maintained high expectations for Avowed, expecting an experience that blends Obsidian’s signature storytelling depth with the first-person fantasy gameplay reminiscent of The Elder Scrolls series.
Many Reddit users were quick to note that Avowed already had positive impressions from preview events, with some claiming that even at its worst, the game is likely to land in the 7-8/10 range. Some skepticism remains, however, particularly regarding how the game will perform on launch day.
The Early Review Publish and Its Fallout
Game review embargoes exist for a reason: they help developers and publishers coordinate coverage while ensuring critics have ample time to assess the final product. However, pre-embargo leaked reviews like this one, whether accidental or otherwise, can significantly impact public perception. In Avowed’s case, the leak has sparked a wave of speculation and optimism among fans.
Reddit discussions have been particularly animated, with many users drawing comparisons to past leaks, such as those for Redfall, which received disastrous early reviews. Unlike Redfall, Avowed’s leaked review is overwhelmingly positive, describing the game’s “gorgeous world, memorable characters, frenzied combat, and intuitive yet deep customization system.”
Embargo Timing and Final Verdicts
With the official embargo set to lift later today on February 13, coinciding with the game’s early access release, we won’t have to wait long for a broader critical consensus. If other reviews align with this early impression, Avowed could become one of 2025’s standout RPGs and another major win for Xbox Game Studios.
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