{"id":70916,"date":"2026-01-09T09:11:57","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T08:11:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/space4games.com\/?p=70916"},"modified":"2026-01-09T09:18:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T08:18:29","slug":"avowed-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/space4games.com\/en\/games-en\/avowed-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Avowed Review: Obsidian\u2019s Focused RPG Shines Where It Matters Most"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What awaits you in Obsidian\u2019s latest role-playing game\u2014and why RPG fans can dive in without hesitation \u2014 find out in our Avowed review.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obsidian Entertainment\u2019s latest RPG, Avowed, makes a strong case for less being more. Designed for PC and Xbox and soon coming to Playstation 5<\/a>, this is a game that confidently zeroes in on the pillars that have defined the studio\u2019s best work: focused storytelling, rewarding exploration, and punchy, tactical combat. Unlike so many modern RPGs, Avowed has little interest in padding out your playtime with busywork. The world of Eora is refreshingly free of checklist fatigue. There are no endless collectibles, no open-world filler, and mercifully, no lockpicking minigames to break up the action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of sprawling aimlessly, Avowed is divided into four compact, distinct regions, each ripe for exploration at your own pace. Side quests are anything but throwaway. They feel organically woven into the lore, often drawing you deeper into the game\u2019s history and culture. Some are poignant, others delightfully offbeat, and more than a few are pure treasure hunts. Throughout my 60-plus hours in Avowed, there wasn\u2019t a moment where I questioned the point of what I was doing. Every quest, every detour, felt like it served a purpose. Whether that was character development, world-building, or just a bit of fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Character Progression: Simple, Flexible, and Satisfying<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Avowed\u2019s class system is refreshingly compact without feeling restrictive. You\u2019re never pigeonholed \u2014 mix and match classes, abilities, and weapons as you see fit. At the outset, you\u2019ll pick a background that shapes your dialogue options, then assign your starting attribute points. As you progress, you\u2019ll continue to earn attribute and skill points, letting you adapt your approach as you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The core stats form the bedrock of your hero. Beyond that, three further skill trees offer both active and passive abilities, each unlockable in tiers. There are a couple of extra progression wrinkles I won\u2019t spoil here, but suffice it to say, there\u2019s plenty of room for experimentation. And if you ever regret your choices? You can respec at any time for a nominal fee, at least in the early game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a>
Your character\u2019s background and abilities can also influence certain dialogue options. | Image: Obsidian Entertainment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no overt karma or reputation system \u2014 feel free to pilfer whatever isn\u2019t nailed down \u2014 but the robust dialogue system lets you dial in your character\u2019s personality. You can play as a noble knight, a brash troublemaker, or anything in between. Occasionally, your choices will steer the story in meaningful ways, but don\u2019t expect a branching-narrative behemoth; the really big decisions are few and far between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast, Fluid Combat with a Tactical Twist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Combat is where Avowed really finds its groove. Whether you favor one-handed or two-handed weapons, melee or ranged, the arsenal is varied: greatswords, spears, axes, bows, wands, pistols \u2014 each with its own flow and synergies. Weapon upgrades are straightforward: every piece can be improved from common up to legendary status, and some can be enchanted for extra elemental punch. The challenge curve feels just right. Enemies don\u2019t scale to your level, so there\u2019s genuine tension in venturing into the unknown, and good reason to double back to tough areas later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Battles unfold in real time, but you can pause the action at any moment using the action wheel. This brings a welcome tactical layer: trigger a special ability, direct a companion to heal, or pop a buff item while the world stands still. This system is a lifesaver in the game\u2019s more frantic encounters, especially boss fights, where a single well-timed move can turn the tide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"As<\/a>
The action wheel adds a tactical layer to otherwise fast-paced real-time combat. | Image: Obsidian Entertainment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Avowed\u2019s parkour system deserves a nod as well. While not as flexible as something like Dying Light 2, it lets you run, jump, and climb across the landscape in first-person \u2014 switching to third-person whenever you want that over-the-shoulder perspective. Whether scaling mountains or exploring ancient ruins, traversal never feels like an afterthought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Companions: Light Touch, Lasting Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll meet four companions over the course of your journey, each representing one of the Living Lands\u2019 cultures and one of the available classes: melee, ranged, mage, and healer. As you adventure together, you\u2019ll unlock special abilities for each, usable in combat via the action wheel. But you can only bring two companions along at any one time, so choosing your party becomes a meaningful tactical decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Companions are well-defined, each with their own quirks and strengths, but don\u2019t expect Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 levels of depth \u2014 no romances, limited banter, and relatively compact personal quests (though what\u2019s here is sharply written). Still, if you take the time for optional chats, you\u2019ll see these characters grow and add flavor to the main story. Even when I disagreed with their outlooks, I found myself increasingly invested in the group dynamic over dozens of hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can only take two of the four available companions with you\u2014choose wisely. | Image: Obsidian Entertainment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Final Verdict: Lean, Polished, and Easy to Recommend<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Avowed is Obsidian doing what it does best: building a tightly crafted RPG that plays to its strengths. The central story \u2014 a classic fantasy setup involving a curse, a troubled land, and a mysterious godlike envoy \u2014 delivers steady tension, even if it rarely breaks new ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visually, Avowed isn\u2019t pushing technical boundaries, but the Living Lands themselves, with their glowing flora and bizarre mushroom-shaped wildlife, are a joy to discover. Exploration, combat, and experimentation are always encouraged and always rewarded. If you\u2019re hunting for a new fantasy universe with rich lore and a low barrier to entry, Avowed is an easy recommendation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

S4G Rating for Avowed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
star<\/i><\/span><\/div>
star<\/i><\/span><\/div>
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star<\/i><\/span><\/div>
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Avowed delivers a gorgeous world and a refreshing focus on what matters most in an Action-RPG. Obsidian plays it safe \u2014 this is familiar territory, but executed with skill. If you\u2019re an action RPG fan, this one\u2019s a no-brainer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avowed is right for you if you\u2026<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  • Want a focused RPG with deep lore and minimal filler<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Enjoy tactical, flexible combat systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Prefer games that respect your time and reward exploration<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Avowed is not right for you if you\u2026<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    • Expect sprawling open worlds packed with endless side activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Want heavy romance options or deep companion subplots<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Need groundbreaking technical visuals<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n
      \n