Avowed on Xbox Series X|S
As the old adage goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and that’s largely what players will be getting out of Obsidian Entertainment‘s latest, the action roleplaying romp that is Avowed. Having explored other genres in both Grounded and Pentiment, this is the studio’s grand return to the one it is most associated with. Throughout the dozens of hours spent in the Living Lands, it becomes abundantly clear what the studio is capable of in this day and age, for good and for bad.
As the encroaching blight known as the Dreamscrouge continues to ravage the lands, it will be up to players, the chosen Envoy of the Aedyr Empire, to save the day. As a Godlike, you will have access to magic and other extraordinary abilities to do what you must, be it to stop the march of the Dreamscrouge or to spend time helping everyone in need in The Living Lands.
This has been the typical setup of many Western RPGs in the past, and will continue to be so in the future. At the very least, Obisidan has done a fantastic job in developing this experience in Avowed to a high level. For starters, the narrative is a clear standout, charting the course of the adventure in impactful ways based on your decisions.
Being able to take charge and truly have an effect on a living world is not something that every RPG gets right. Although the signposting can be pretty obvious in Avowed, as opposed to the more nuanced and interesting developments in Pillars of Eternity, the momentum will keep players engaged as the narrative unfolds.
The presence of the various companion characters certainly helps in this regard as well, as they are fleshed-out individuals that want to have their own say too. Whether that will change your approach is up for debate, but you are more likely to be swayed one way or the other based on the four companions, and that’s the power of good writing. The witty banter is also something to look forward to, ensuring that party travels are always colourful, even if romance is off the table.
All of those possible hijinks take place in an excellently put-together world of Eora that is an excellent extension of what came before in the Pillars of Eternity series. Each of the four hubs is brimming with potential, with the locals bringing a charm that constantly teases you to discover more.
Perhaps you want to dive deeper into local politics or learn more about the various factions making a power play. No matter what, none of the lore feels out of place and actually serves a gameplay purpose when players are tasked to make contentious decisions. The in-game guide is particularly handy for this, giving you the full context for what you might do and immersing you further into Avowed.
Then there are the many side quests and puzzles to solve, treasures to find, and sights to marvel at. Whether it be the forests or the desert, a wasteland or the countryside, your eyes are in for a treat. The maps are also decently sized, brought together by vibrancy and colour, unlike many other genre contemporaries. The way the world-building is delivered makes for a good reason to do multiple runs in this action RPG to see everything there is to offer, and that’s no mean feat.
Alas, words and sights alone do not save a world, and combat forms another vital component of the experience. Melee combat stands tall as a good time, empowering players with power as they slice and dice through the typical fantasy rogue’s gallery of enemies. Magic and ranged combat aren’t that far off the mark either, although there is a clear need to constantly be on the move to avoid fatal damage as you try to unleash magical doom. The general smoothness of combat, which is also evident in the parkour system in exploration, helps tremendously to keep you focused.
Together with substantial skill trees that grant all sorts of fun possibilities, buffs, and more, there is just so much to chew through based on your chosen path of destruction. It sets things up for players to try out everything, but the upgrading system of using rare materials does kind of force you to pick one or two favourites, so you can grow more powerful to deal with the challenges ahead. A little bit of grinding is to be expected, but it can go too far.
And while it is satisfying to show your enemies who’s boss in Avowed, it also brings up a key issue in the game: enemy variety. Despite the different environments that you will be exploring, the game does depend on only a select few types of foes, and there are only so many bears one can get through before it becomes ridiculous. There are still nasty surprises that bring both excitement and tangible fear, but those are the exception to the norm, which is disappointing.
Where the game does take a departure from genre norms is in its quality-of-life tweaks, which have been designed for players’ convenience in the best of ways. Carrying capacity may be a thing, but it only applies to actual equipment, which means you can stock as many consumables as you want. I have never been happier seeing materials that weigh nothing, and so is being able to send unneeded loot direct to the stash with just a single command. Using a stamina system could have been cumbersome, too, but outside of combat, the system does not come into play. This allows for quicker movement while exploring, which is always welcomed, and allows players to fully hone in when there are combat encounters and strategise better that way.
Playing Avowed on the Xbox Series X also proved to be a problem-free time, save for a few bugs that were resolved with a quick load. It far surpasses the acceptable level of Bethesda jankiness, with the options of 30 FPS (quality), 60 FPS (performance) and 40 FPS (balanced) working flawlessly for the most part. This should be the standard, but it is still impressive on Obsidian’s part.
Without necessarily venturing into something fresh, Avowed gets the brief right in the other areas of an action RPG. A wonderfully constructed world, brilliant and engaging writing, and action that is just satisfying for the most part, it is definitely comfort food for those invested in the genre. Whether playing it safe is the right way to go depends on your wants, but for an enjoyable fantasy adventure, you really cannot go wrong with Avowed.
Avowed is available on PC and Xbox Series X|S.
