What Makes Avowed a Solid RPG, and Where Does It Fall Short?

Is Avowed the RPG You’ve Been Waiting For or Just Another Familiar Fantasy?

Avowed is a competent RPG that leans heavily on Obsidian Entertainment’s strengths in storytelling and worldbuilding. However, it struggles to carve out a unique identity in a genre dominated by titans like Skyrim and Dragon Age. While it delivers solid gameplay and an engaging narrative, it rarely ventures beyond well-trodden paths.

Strengths: What Avowed Gets Right

Rich Worldbuilding

Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, Avowed is steeped in lore. From ancient scrolls to political debates with NPCs, the game offers plenty for lore enthusiasts to sink their teeth into. A handy in-game reference guide ensures even newcomers can keep up without feeling overwhelmed.

Engaging Story

The central mystery of the Dreamscourge—a plague of madness—is compelling. Your choices significantly impact the outcome, making each decision feel weighty. Though some plot twists are predictable, the journey remains enjoyable.

Companions with Personality

The game shines in its character interactions. Whether it’s Kai, the sarcastic reptilian mercenary, or Yatzli, the flirtatious mage with a penchant for innuendos, your companions bring humor and depth to your adventures. Sadly, romance options are absent, leaving relationships somewhat shallow.

Combat Variety

Whether you prefer melee combat or spell-slinging, Avowed offers diverse playstyles. Magic users can unleash devastating spells like black holes and lightning storms, while martial builds focus on blocking and counterattacks. The skill trees allow for meaningful customization.

Technical Stability

Unlike many RPGs that launch riddled with bugs, Avowed is remarkably polished. Across 50+ hours of gameplay, glitches were minimal, and there were no crashes—a rarity in this genre.

Weaknesses: Where Avowed Falls Short

Lack of Innovation

While Avowed executes traditional RPG mechanics well, it rarely introduces fresh ideas. The gameplay loop—exploring dungeons, battling enemies, and looting gear—feels overly familiar.

Enemy Variety

Combat suffers from repetitive enemy types. Skeletons, spiders, and bears dominate encounters, with little variation to keep battles exciting. The abundance of bears becomes almost comical but detracts from immersion.

Shallow Exploration

The game’s open-world hubs are vibrant and packed with side quests but lack replayability. Enemies don’t respawn, leaving areas lifeless upon revisiting.

Missed Opportunities in Companionship

While companion banter is entertaining, deeper relationship-building mechanics or romance options could have added more emotional weight to interactions.

Notable Features

Parkour Mechanics

Unusual for an RPG, Avowed incorporates light parkour elements. Leaping across ledges and navigating traps adds a refreshing layer to exploration.

Quality-of-Life Improvements

• Running doesn’t drain stamina—a welcome change from typical RPGs.
• Encumbrance limits are generous; smaller items don’t count toward your carrying capacity.
• A “send to camp” option allows instant inventory management from anywhere.

Verdict

Avowed is a well-crafted RPG that plays it safe. It excels in storytelling and worldbuilding but falters in delivering surprises or groundbreaking mechanics. If you’re looking for a polished fantasy adventure with familiar gameplay elements and minimal technical issues, Avowed won’t disappoint. However, those seeking innovation or memorable moments may find it lacking.