Avowed Review: Obsidian's RPG Return Is Pure Fantasy Gold

Avowed Gameplay & Story Breakdown – Fantasy Fans, Rejoice!

Okay, confession time—I've always been a sucker for Obsidian’s RPGs. The Outer Worlds, Fallout: New Vegas, even the quirky charm of Pentiment—they all had that signature blend of deep role-playing, clever writing, and a rebellious spirit. So when Avowed was announced? Yeah, I was hyped. When it got delayed and switched engines? My hype became cautious optimism. But now that I’ve played through it, I can say this confidently: Avowed is the fantasy RPG we’ve been waiting for.

Let’s unpack why this game hits so hard—and where it fumbles just a bit.

Combat That Feels So Good It's Almost Magical

Let’s get this out of the way: Avowed’s combat absolutely slaps. I don’t say that lightly. From the very first skirmish, there’s this crackling energy that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. It’s got that classic fantasy flavor—swords, spells, shields—but the real magic is how tight everything feels. Think Skyrim, but someone slipped it an energy drink and a controller that actually responds like you want it to. Better yet? It feels like Obsidian took everything they learned about fluid motion and player control from Grounded and turned it up to eleven.

You’ve got two weapon loadouts at your fingertips. I started out playing safe—classic sword-and-board—but it didn’t take long before I was mixing it up with dual wands, a magical crossbow, and even a necromancer staff that summoned spectral hands to slap enemies into next week. And switching between them? Just a tap of a button. It’s slick, seamless, and keeps the adrenaline pumping mid-fight.

But here’s the real kicker—every enemy makes you think. No two fights feel the same because your tools keep evolving, and the enemies aren’t just cannon fodder. Some are magic-immune brutes that rush you down, others float above the battlefield raining chaos, and then there are the weird ones—like stone beasts that explode unless you time your hits just right. Environmental hazards, status effects, and even terrain elevation play into strategy. You're never just hacking and slashing; you're thinking, adjusting, and adapting on the fly.

This isn’t one of those RPGs where you find a loadout and coast. Avowed demands creativity. And it rewards it, big time. Every battle feels like a little puzzle box wrapped in chaos, and figuring out the best way to dismantle it never gets old.

Dialogue That's Sharp, Funny, and Actually Matters

I’ll be honest: in a lot of modern RPGs, I end up skipping dialogue after a while. The writing starts feeling like filler, choices don’t matter, and you get that dreaded “illusion of choice” vibe. But in Avowed? Dialogue matters—and more importantly, it’s actually fun.

Obsidian's writers are clearly still in their prime. The conversations here are punchy, often hilarious, and surprisingly nuanced. There were moments where I legit laughed out loud at snarky one-liners from my companions, or paused to rethink a seemingly minor dialogue option because I wasn’t sure how the other character would react. And get this—sometimes, that one off-hand comment? It opens up a whole new side quest or changes the direction of your main path. We're talking full alternate outcomes here, not just flavor text.

Characters react to your personality stats too. If you’ve specced into diplomacy or intimidation, you’ll see unique dialogue branches that other builds won’t. It adds real weight to how you build your character and makes each playthrough feel personal. Some dialogue options are locked behind those stats, and when you unlock one in a crucial moment? Oh, it's chef’s kiss satisfying.

Not every line is a home run—some early convos feel a bit bloated and bog down the pacing. But once the story kicks in and you’re knee-deep in world-altering decisions, those slower moments fade into the background. This is a story-driven RPG that respects your time and intelligence. The dialogue pulls you in, gives you agency, and rewards curiosity. What more could you want?

Worldbuilding Worth Getting Lost In

The Living Lands, the main setting of Avowed, might be one of my favorite fantasy environments in years. It’s technically part of the Pillars of Eternity universe, but don’t stress if you’ve never touched those games—you’re not gonna be lost. The storytelling is built in a way that naturally reveals its lore, whether it’s through exploration, dialogue, or the world literally reacting to your presence. Yeah, you’ve got weird coral-like growths on your body that mark you as "special"—and that’s just the start.

You’re sent to this strange land as an envoy of the Adyra Empire, only to quickly discover that things are way messier than they seemed. The area is under siege by a magical plague called the Dreamscourge, which doesn’t just drive people insane—it turns them into mutated husks. Some of the infected even develop markings like yours. Suspicious? Very.

The game world isn’t open in the traditional “go anywhere” way. It’s more like The Outer Worlds—big zones connected by loading screens. But let me tell you: each zone is dense. Every corner hides a secret, a bit of lore, or some unexpected oddity. I couldn’t walk 20 seconds without stumbling into a side quest, a bizarre NPC, or a mysterious ruin. There’s something delightfully old-school about it—like classic Elder Scrolls, but with better pacing.

And the side quests? Chef’s kiss again. I had a blast unraveling stories that ranged from tragic to absurd (did I mention the talking squirrel poop mission?). The Living Lands feel alive—every place you visit, every faction you encounter, adds to the larger mystery of what’s really going on here. It’s the kind of world that invites exploration not with map markers, but with curiosity.

Systems on Systems on Systems

If you’re a fan of min-maxing builds, optimizing loadouts, or just collecting cool gear, Avowed will be your happy place. There’s a ton of progression and customization here—but thankfully, it never gets overwhelming. Everything is layered in gradually and feels like a natural extension of the gameplay.

Let’s start with weapons. You’ll find a huge variety, from your classic swords and bows to enchanted relics and cursed spellbooks. Each weapon has multiple upgrade tiers, and you’ll use a resource called Adra to enhance them. But it doesn’t stop there—you can add elemental effects, build in special traits using monster parts (hello, lightning claws!), and even enchant them to suit your playstyle. My personal favorite? A vampiric longsword that healed me for every critical hit. Total game-changer.

Armor works similarly. Beyond just stat boosts, you can tweak how you look and how your character functions. Want to tank hits in heavy plate? Go for it. Prefer stealthy leather with movement bonuses? Totally viable. Then there are fragments—little modifiers you slot into totems scattered throughout the world. These act like perks and can be swapped out at campsites. Flexibility is king here, and I found myself experimenting constantly.

There’s also light survival-crafting DNA from Grounded, but it’s toned down. You can cook meals, brew potions, and craft upgrade materials, but it never becomes a chore. Instead, it enhances the RPG experience. Gather herbs, hunt beasts, and you’ll be rewarded with tools that matter in combat. Everything feels interconnected, like a big beautiful loop of exploration, collection, and progression.

In short? Avowed doesn’t just offer depth—it offers meaningful depth. Whether you’re a hardcore min-maxer or just someone who likes finding cool loot, the game gives you the tools to shape your journey your way.

Sights, Sounds, and… Zoomed-In Faces?

Avowed looks good, but it’s not exactly pushing the limits of next-gen graphics. The overall art direction is solid and kind of cozy, leaning into that slightly stylized fantasy look that makes everything feel like it came out of a beautifully illustrated DnD campaign. The environments pop with personality—misty swamps, sun-drenched ruins, eerie, glowing forests—but when the camera zooms in for dialogue? That’s where the cracks start to show.

Character models, especially faces, can look a bit rough. We’re talking stiff expressions, deadpan eyes, and that uncanny "is this person okay?" look. It’s very “last-gen RPG” vibes—think Dragon Age: Inquisition but with slightly flatter lighting. It’s not terrible, and you’ll get used to it, but it’s definitely not the game’s visual highlight.

Now, sound? That’s where Avowed absolutely sings. The soundtrack is an emotional ride—soaring fantasy melodies, creepy ambient layers in the darker zones, and tense, dramatic beats during combat. I caught myself stopping mid-quest just to soak in the music more than once. It elevates the entire experience.

Also, big props to the first/third-person switch—it’s instant, smooth, and actually useful. Few games nail that, but Avowed makes it seamless.

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Avowed isn’t perfect—but it’s damn close to being the fantasy RPG we’ve all been craving. It takes the old-school Obsidian formula and updates it just enough to feel fresh in 2025. While the game may feel “too retro” for some players, anyone who grew up on Morrowind, Dragon Age, or even Fable will feel right at home here.

If you’re in the mood for rich lore, punchy dialogue, clever systems, and combat that actually makes you smile? Don’t miss this one.

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