Avowed review: A gripping fantasy RPG where your choices truly matter

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Published: Thu 13 Feb 2025, 2:00 PM

Last updated: Thu 13 Feb 2025, 2:19 PM

Kenneth Fox

First revealed in 2020 at the Xbox Games showcase, Avowed was initially meant to be a role-playing game similar to Bethesda's sprawling Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

When it was released in 2011, Skyrim was one of the biggest open worlds on the market. During development, Obsidian Entertainment decided to avoid replicating this approach and instead went for a more focused experience where the characters and story are at the core of the adventure.

It was the correct decision as Obsidian delivered a refined RPG with compelling characters and varied combat that rewards experimentation.

The story is set in the world of Eora which originates from one of the studio's other games Pillars of Eternity. Pillars is an isometric (bird's-eye view) RPG inspired by the Dungeons and Dragons universe.

So, in short, it is a world full of magic, monsters and plenty of mayhem. With Avowed being in first-person, you are even more immersed in the world.

You begin by creating your character, and then choosing their background. I went with a Noble Scion which means they are used to upper echelons of society, which is also reflected in dialogue choices.

Your character is an envoy to the ruler of the dominant force in Eora, the Aedyr Empire. The Living Lands is the next island in their sights, and to them, it is "untamed" territory waiting to be claimed.

Living and breathing world

There is just one problem: corruption known as the Dreamscourge is spreading across the land, turning already dangerous creatures into unpredictable beasts.

Luckily your character a 'godlike', someone touched by a god at birth allowing you to possess special abilities. Sadly, you are "othered" by society and seen as a threat, this is your chance to prove your worth to the Empire.

The world of the Living Lands is varied and beautiful, chock-full of stunning vistas.

The world of the Living Lands is varied and beautiful, chock-full of stunning vistas. I reviewed the game on Xbox Series X and it ran fairly smoothly throughout.

There are three modes to choose from on the X, A quality mode at 2160p and 30 frames per second (fps), a balanced mode at 2160p at 40fps and, finally, a performance mode at 60fps with a resolution of 1800p.

I mostly used the balanced mode as my TV supports variable refresh rates (VRR). Whether it is the coastal plains of Dawnshore, the lush vegetation of the Emerald Stair or the rugged landscape of Shatterscarp, the world is bursting with life and colour.

Most of the time, it is a mix of combat, exploration and harvesting resources. Despite this being a more parred back open world, there is plenty to discover.

Like any well-designed open-world game, there are hidden areas to find that reward you for going off the beaten track. The main weapon I used for most of the game (a two-handed axe) I found looting a chest when I made a detour.

Obsidian nails that feeling of going with your gut and finding a secret passage or hidden area.

Brute force option

Combat in Avowed is about giving you as many tools in your toolbox. There are swords, axes, pistols, spears and magic books called grimoires at your disposal.

It is a lot of fun the way you can mix and match with weapons. You can dual wield meaning you can have magic in one hand and a sword in the other.

It is a lot of fun the way you can mix and match with weapons. You can dual wield meaning you can have magic in one hand and a sword in the other.

If you want the brute force option, you can get a two-handed weapon and slice through your enemies. There is a stamina bar to be wary of, but it is satisfying to smash your foes and feel the rumble from the controller.

There are three distinct skill trees to upgrade your character: fighter, ranger and wizard. Fighter focuses on increasing your damage output, the ranger focuses on being more mobile with stealth abilities and the wizard is all about magic abilities.

I focused on the wizard skill tree as I enjoyed being able to have magic, along with another weapon. One of the main drawbacks of grimoires, though is that the four spells linked with it cannot be switched with another one.

It can also be a pain during combat bringing up a radial menu to choose an ability as you only have quick access to four abilities, with two slots already taken up for health and stamina potions.

Avowed is also a challenge even on normal difficulty as you can easily get swarmed by enemies if you are not careful.

Companion piece

What makes or breaks any fantasy adventure are the people who join you along your journey. Thankfully, Avowed has a great selection of companions to choose from.

The first one you meet is Kai, a former soldier in the Rauataian Navy. He is well-travelled, which makes him an invaluable guide in the Living Lands.

He can defuse situations with his quick wit and seems like a great person to have a pint with. Giatta Castell is an animancer (someone who specialises in understanding souls) from Fior mes Ivèrno.

She is the emotional core of the group and always knows how someone is "really feeling". The quirky and energetic Yatzili brings some levity to things but sadly Marius is the only real dud as you can never crack his grumpy exterior.

Annoyingly you can only choose two companions to accompany you on your travels. Since Giatta is a literal lifesaver (seeing as she is a healer character), it is usually always here and one of the others.

What makes Avowed truly special is how it delivers on having real choices and consequences.

What makes Avowed truly special though is how it delivers on having real choices and consequences. Whether it is the main story or side quests, your choices are never simple.

The side quests are a true highlight, and feel like extended main missions. In one early side quest, I was tasked with contacting fugitives who fled to Paradis from Aedyr. You find out they killed two people after a scuffle, and you can keep their presence a secret or turn them in.

Scapegoats

I turned them in, and my companions gave me an ear full about it. While for the most part, there are compelling decisions to be made, there are some inconsistencies. In one mission there was no choice to turn someone in and instead, it was either side with them or kill them, which was disappointing.

While the main plot primarily revolves around finding a way to stop the Dreamscourge it also deals with themes of colonialism, religious devotion and society's use of scapegoats.

In one mission you are confronted by the locals of Emerald Stair who blame Giatta and her animancers for the plague infesting their farms.

There are parallels here with the current strain of anti-intellectualism and the distrust of science as people clamour for answers to things they do not understand.

There are parallels here with the current strain of anti-intellectualism and the distrust of science as people clamour for answers to things they do not understand.

The main story has some great moments, which challenge your preconceived views of the Living Lands.

As your crew is focused on the mysterious plague and your connection to it, there is a powder keg ready to explode as the locals are unwilling to bend the knee to the Aedyr Empire.

There is plenty of meat on the bone here as Avowed offers a rich story with plenty of moral quandaries. Even choosing violence instead of compromise can lead to drastic consequences for characters. While some games offer the illusion of choice, Avowed's world is built around it.

I spent the last two weeks fully engrossed in the world of the Living Lands; such is the level of worldbuilding here. Instead of being too ambitious, Obsidian doubled down on what they do best and created a dynamic RPG that will stand the test of time.