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Obsidian Entertainment’s latest RPG, Avowed, has finally arrived, bringing players back to the world of Pillars of Eternity in a new first-person experience. Released on February 18, 2025, the game has been met with Very Positive reviews, with early players praising its immersive world, engaging combat, and Obsidian’s signature approach to choice-driven storytelling.
But how does Avowed compare to expectations? And what exactly are players enjoying the most? Let’s take a look at the early impressions from those who’ve already embarked on their journey through the Living Lands.
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A Visually Stunning and Immersive World
One of the biggest points of praise for Avowed has been its world design. The Living Lands feel alive and vibrant, with lush environments, atmospheric lighting, and a strong sense of place. Obsidian has crafted a visually rich setting that players say encourages exploration, rewarding curiosity with hidden treasures, side quests, and environmental storytelling.
The game’s use of Unreal Engine 5, complete with ray tracing and NVIDIA DLSS support, ensures that Avowed looks modern and polished. Many players have noted that the game runs smoothly even on mid-range PCs, with high frame rates and minimal performance issues outside of some reported stuttering in city areas.
For those playing on ultrawide monitors or Steam Deck, Avowed has been noted as “playable” with solid support for these setups, making it an accessible experience across different platforms.
Combat That Feels Weighty and Satisfying
If there’s one area where Avowed stands out compared to its predecessors, it’s in combat. Unlike the Pillars of Eternity games, which focused on real-time-with-pause and turn-based tactical battles, Avowed leans into first-person action RPG combat, where players can mix melee weapons, magic, and ranged attacks to build a character that fits their playstyle.
Players have praised how fluid and impactful combat feels, with some comparing it favorably to games like Dark Messiah of Might and Magic or Kingdoms of Amalur. The ability to dual-wield weapons, use spellcasting creatively, and swap between ranged and melee attacks adds variety, making encounters dynamic and rewarding.
Another standout feature is how spells interact with the environment—frost magic can freeze water, fire can ignite objects, and destruction physics add a layer of immersion that even Skyrim modders would appreciate. The blocking and dodging mechanics also feel responsive, making melee combat more than just a button-mashing experience.
However, some have pointed out that enemy AI isn’t particularly advanced, with combat sometimes feeling too easy, even on higher difficulties. That said, Avowed’s companion system adds strategic depth, as AI-controlled allies can fight alongside you, each with their own abilities and personalities.
A Streamlined but Engaging RPG Experience
Avowed is not trying to be Skyrim 2, and players seem to understand that. Instead of a massive open world, Avowed opts for a hub-based exploration system, where each region is large and filled with things to discover, but progression is structured.
This design choice has been a point of debate among fans—some appreciate the more curated experience, while others expected a fully open world. That said, the leveling and upgrade system has been generally well-received, allowing players to fine-tune their abilities while still feeling progression throughout the journey.
One common criticism is the game’s approach to item progression. Instead of finding stronger weapons and armor throughout the world, Avowed relies heavily on crafting and upgrading existing gear. Some players feel this system limits excitement in exploration since loot isn’t as rewarding as in traditional RPGs.
The dialogue and choice system, however, has been praised for keeping true to Obsidian’s strengths. While not every choice drastically alters the story, many players appreciate the nuance in decision-making, where seemingly small actions can ripple into later events. There’s a good balance of role-playing depth without overwhelming players with overly complex systems.
What About the Story and Characters?
Narrative has always been a strong point for Obsidian, and while Avowed doesn’t reach the same heights as New Vegas or Pillars of Eternity, early impressions suggest it still delivers an engaging, choice-driven story.
The setup places players as an envoy investigating a mysterious plague spreading across the Living Lands, but as expected, things aren’t as simple as they seem. The game quickly introduces moral dilemmas, political intrigue, and deep lore from the Pillars universe, though players unfamiliar with the previous games can still follow along without issue.
Companions have been a highlight for many, with standout personalities that react to player choices. Kai, in particular, has been frequently mentioned as a memorable and well-written character. However, some feel that interactions with NPCs can be a bit static, with towns and settlements lacking a truly “lived-in” feel.
The Verdict: Should You Play Avowed?
Based on early player impressions, Avowed is a strong RPG with a focus on action-packed combat, immersive world-building, and meaningful choices. While it may not be the genre-defining masterpiece some were hoping for, it stands as a well-crafted, polished experience that fans of Obsidian and fantasy RPGs should enjoy.
Pros:
✔ Beautiful and immersive world
✔ Fluid and satisfying combat
✔ Strong role-playing choices and dialogue
✔ Engaging companion interactions
✔ Runs well on most hardware
Cons:
✖ Some AI and balance issues
✖ Limited enemy variety
✖ Loot and item progression could be more rewarding
✖ Towns and NPC behavior feel static
For those who loved The Outer Worlds, this game offers a similar structure but with a deeper fantasy setting and more refined combat. On the other hand, those expecting a Skyrim-style open-world epic may find themselves wanting more freedom and interactivity.
At its core, Avowed is a fun, well-made RPG that doesn’t reinvent the wheel but does what it sets out to do very well. If you’re a fan of action RPGs with strong writing and world-building, Avowed is worth the journey.
FAQ: Avowed Reviews – What Players Are Saying About Obsidian’s Just-Released Fantasy RPG
What is Avowed?
Avowed is a first-person fantasy RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment, set in the Pillars of Eternity universe. It features deep storytelling, player choices, and an immersive open world.
How has Avowed been received by players?
Initial reactions are Very Positive, but not universally so. While many praise the game’s world-building and RPG mechanics, some players are disappointed by the smaller-than-expected scale and comparisons to The Elder Scrolls series.
What are the biggest strengths of Avowed?
Players appreciate the engaging writing, faction dynamics, and combat variety, as well as the strong role-playing elements that Obsidian is known for.
What are the main criticisms?
Criticism centers on the game’s limited exploration, smaller world design, and certain combat mechanics that feel underdeveloped. Some also expected a more open-ended experience.
Should I play Avowed if I like The Elder Scrolls or Pillars of Eternity?
It depends on expectations. If you enjoy Obsidian’s storytelling and RPG systems, Avowed may be worth playing. However, if you’re looking for a massive open-world experience like Skyrim, you might find it more contained than expected.
Where can I read the full review?
Check out our full breakdown in Avowed Reviews: What Players Are Saying About Obsidian’s Just-Released Fantasy RPG on Outsider Gaming.
