Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed lands with big expectations. Set in the world of Pillars of Eternity, this first-person fantasy RPG brings rich lore, player freedom, and story-driven gameplay straight to Xbox Game Pass.
As a fan of Obsidian’s work, I dove in hoping for great combat, meaningful choices, and that signature narrative flair. After spending dozens of hours exploring the Living Lands, I can safely say Avowed is a strong RPG with some familiar rough edges, but plenty of heart.
Gameplay and Combat
Avowed ditches rigid classes in favour of a flexible system that lets you dual-wield spells, swords, guns, and more. It’s a joy to experiment: I often cast a fireball with one hand and slashed enemies with a sword in the other. There’s real fluidity to the way you can build and adjust your playstyle as you progress. You can swap between two full loadouts mid-combat, allowing for satisfying combos and strategy shifts on the fly.
Combat is fast and engaging, though not overly complex. On normal difficulty, it feels smooth and cinematic. On harder settings, gear upgrades and tactical thinking become more important, which rewards deeper engagement with the game’s systems.
Enemies are varied and the world is full of things to do beyond the main quest. I constantly stumbled upon side quests, dungeons, and secrets that added colour and challenge. Companion AI handles itself well in battle, though they’re not particularly deep tactically. You won’t be queuing up combos like in Dragon Age, but they do bring their own flair and abilities to help mix things up.
The world design follows a semi-open structure with separate large zones. It’s big enough to encourage exploration without overwhelming you with empty space. Each region is dense with content, and Avowed avoids filler by ensuring that detours nearly always reward your curiosity.
Story and Choices
You play as a godlike envoy sent to the Living Lands to investigate a plague called the Dreamscourge. The setting mixes classic fantasy with deeper themes like colonialism, belief, and power. It leans on familiar tropes – ancient plagues, chosen heroes, mysterious voices in your head – but Obsidian’s excellent writing gives the story weight.
Your decisions shape the narrative in meaningful ways. Dialogue choices impact faction alliances, personal relationships, and even the ending. The game offers plenty of morally grey dilemmas, which often made me stop and think. It’s not just about choosing good or evil, but about weighing competing values and consequences.
Companions are a highlight. Characters like Kai (a warm, loyal warrior) and Marius (a gruff, principled dwarf) bring personality and depth. They have strong voice acting and unique perspectives, often challenging your decisions. While there’s no romance system, the friendships and conflicts that emerge feel genuine and engaging.
Newcomers to the world of Eora will appreciate the built-in glossary and lore entries. Veterans of Pillars of Eternity will enjoy the callbacks, but Avowed stands on its own well enough.
Visuals and Audio
Visually, Avowed shines with vibrant fantasy aesthetics. From glowing mushrooms to sun-drenched cliffs, the Living Lands are a treat to explore. Performance is solid on Xbox Series X, with both Quality and Performance modes offering stable gameplay and quick load times.
The creature designs are imaginative, and the use of colour gives the world a distinct identity. Character models are decent, though animations can feel a bit stiff in places. You can switch between first- and third-person views, which is handy for admiring gear or navigating tricky terrain.
Sound design is solid overall. Environmental audio adds immersion, and combat sounds are punchy and satisfying. The voice acting is consistently strong across the board, bringing the story and characters to life. The musical score is serviceable but forgettable – it sets the mood but doesn’t leave much of an impression.
Performance and Polish
Technically, Avowed is one of Obsidian’s smoother launches. I didn’t encounter major bugs or crashes. Minor issues included the odd AI hiccup and UI quirk, but nothing that broke immersion. On PC, there are occasional performance dips, but nothing game-breaking.
Inventory management could use a few more sorting options, and a few menus feel slightly clunky. But overall, the UI is clean, and accessibility settings are decent.
Here’s the official trailer:
Summary
Avowed is a confident step forward for Obsidian’s first-person RPG ambitions. It may not revolutionise the genre, but it delivers a well-crafted fantasy adventure packed with meaningful choices, satisfying combat, and a world worth getting lost in. The story sticks close to genre staples but rises above them with smart writing and strong characters.
It’s also an easy recommendation thanks to its inclusion on Xbox Game Pass. If you enjoy fantasy RPGs where your decisions carry weight and the gameplay stays fresh throughout, Avowed deserves a spot on your playlist.
Pros:
- Flexible combat with satisfying mix-and-match loadouts
- Strong writing and meaningful player choices
- Memorable companions with excellent voice acting
- Gorgeous world design and rewarding exploration
Cons:
- Story leans on familiar tropes
- Companion AI could be more tactical
- Music lacks standout themes
- Minor UI and performance niggles
Verdict: Avowed may not reinvent the fantasy RPG, but it proves that Obsidian knows how to craft a compelling world full of choice, charm, and consequence. It’s well worth your time – especially if you already have Game Pass.
