Avowed Reviews
Check out Avowed Review Scores from trusted Critics below. With 59 reviews on CriticDB, Avowed has a score of:
Obsidian’s impressive track record in role-playing games is reason enough to stand up and pay attention anytime the studio wades back into the genre. In the case of Avowed, the reasons stack up higher, since it’s a standalone first-person adventure set in the studio’s imaginative and vibrant fantasy world of Eora, previously established in the Pillars of Eternity series. The resulting game isn’t especially innovative and is unlikely to change anyone’s understanding of these types of...
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Obsidian's return to the world of Eora comes with a brand new coat of paint. Fortunately, the coat of paint that is Avowed turns out to be a really fun action RPG.
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Avowed is almost a good game. Its meaningful choices and excellent combat are held back by a trite gameplay loop of open but not-quite-open zones with poor scaling and a bafflingly bad tier system for your gear.
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While its core story can occasionally feel needlessly convoluted, Avowed's combat system is arguably one of the best in the genre. Round this out with a colorful cast of likable companions, some fun exploration, gorgeous locales and smooth performance, and you have an RPG that will satiate fans of the genre, while serving as an accessible launch pad for any greenhorns out there.
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Avowed is decent fun and has a beautiful world, but its story, progression and characters leave a lot to be desired
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Obsidian Entertainment brings the world of Eora to life with a fresh perspective, bringing players closer to the action. A well-tailored story, engaging combat, and reactive companions all make for an enjoyable adventure from start to finish.
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Avowed isn't what I expected, but I loved every second. It's the type of game I'll gladly play through again and again, a feat made easier by its somewhat short runtime. Avowed proves that bigger isn't always better. Instead of making a game that tries to outsize everything on the market, Obsidian stayed true to its vision and delivered a polished experience that I fell in love with. As someone who replays Oblivion every year, it'll be hard to go back to those older Elder Scrolls games after enjoying my time with Avowed's combat and characters. This is the RPG...
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Avowed is a first-person fantasy RPG set in the world of Eora, where your choices carve a path through war, intrigue, and ancient mysteries. Navigate a land in turmoil, forge powerful alliances or deadly rivalries, and wield magic and steel to shape the fate of the Living Lands—and your own destiny.
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Avowed is a great RPG, it’s as simple as that. This game made me forget about mediocre The Outer Worlds and refueled my trust for Obsidian. Their new game, though smaller in scope and not without some rough edges, is full of all the things that made New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity or Tyranny so good. For fans of a more classic approach to RPG, it's a must-see.
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Avowed doesn't reinvent the wheel and it isn't the most deep or complex RPG, but thanks to strong writing, storytelling, world-building, combat, and exploration, it succeeds in delivering an engaging experience that fans of the genre will want to check out.
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Avowed is a well-written and cohesive fantasy escape that thoughtfully ramps from modest to grandiose, though small bits of uneven execution slightly detract from an otherwise impressive experience.
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I never played Pillars of Eternity, so when Avowed showed up offering a whole new angle on its universe, my reaction was pretty much that of a shrug. I’m so glad I jumped into it though, because not only have I loved playing it through, it’s also gotten me invested enough in the Pillars world to download and install the original game.
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When you wake up in the Living Lands for the first time, the possibilities seem endless. A mysterious island full of dangerous creatures, quirky characters and gorgeous picturesque landscapes, Avowed doesn’t take long to wow you, quickly bringing you into its unusual world. Set in the world of Eora, this first-person RPG is a spin-off of sorts from the Pillars of Eternity franchise, a series of isometric RPGs that found moderate success.
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Despite a few issues, Avowed had me hooked throughout. It's a beautiful, incredibly charming game that does its best to fill a gap where the Elder Scrolls 6 should be.
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Avowed's impactful and satisfying combat is undone by a widely unbalanced upgrade system and an uninteresting story that wastes its potential.
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Avowed is an incredible RPG. Its vibrant world and stellar cast make every moment a joy to take part in, enhanced by a script that gives equal measure to drama, action and humour. Coming hot on the heels of Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, Microsoft’s software revival is well underway.
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Xbox's first big game of the year continues the trend of so close, yet so far.
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Avowed doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel, but it does provide an unforgiving, yet enjoyable gameplay experience. The game certainly has its frustrating elements, like an enchanting table that’s only accessible via the camp or the need to trudge through dull conversations with your companions, but for many players, this will go down a treat rather than as a point of frustration.
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While balanced in a way that forces the player to experience almost everything the game has to offer, Avowed is still a lot of fun. A great story, fun companions, and a richly designed world all contribute to an overall good time. Just remember to take your time early on, because this game wants you to see everything, and it will punish you for trying to skip ahead.
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Avowed is a solid action RPG with an entertaining script, satisfying combat and impressively detailed environments. The inability to clean up side quests after the main story is beaten can be frustrating, but take your time with it and enjoy everything it has to offer, and you'll find plenty of memorable moments.
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Avowed is not the Obsidian fantasy RPG I wanted, but the decently fun spell-slinging parkour FPS I didn't expect.
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Bigger than it first appears, Avowed is an engrossing and gorgeous action-RPG set in one of the most engaging fantasy worlds going, though it lacks the complex systems of its most beloved contemporaries.
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Avowed fills a first-person void within the fantasy RPG genre, but it also stands as an immersive spin on Pillars of Eternity without losing any of the stellar storytelling and worldbuilding that Obsidian Entertainment is known for. Overlooking its forgettable party combat system and some minor quality-of-life misses, Avowed deserves to be remembered as one of this year's best games.
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Avowed marks another triumph for the folks at Obsidian. Through its gorgeous world, memorable characters, frenzied combat, and intuitive yet deep customization system, it highlights player agency. Everywhere in its gameplay and narrative, ensuring that each playthrough offers something new. More importantly, it does so while never compromising the strength of its core story.
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Avowed takes a few hours to find its feet, but once it does, this RPG provides an unforgettable journey that never outstays its welcome. Avowed features a jaw-dropping world to explore, complete with a solid cast of intriguing characters and choices that will remain with you long after the credits roll.
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In a vacuum, I like how it wraps up its questions. But these moments are lost in the constant, desperate — and stop me if you’ve heard this one before — scrounging for wood.
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There are many more topics I could go on about the game, but it’s probably best for you to experience it for yourself. Avowed is one of the best RPGs I’ve played in 2025, and I’m not even much of a role-playing genre fanatic. If that’s convinced you enough, hop into the game on Xbox Game Pass Day One or PC.
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Avowed is a perfectly competent RPG that showcases Obsidian’s writing and worldbuilding chops, but has little else to distinguish itself among swords-and-sorcery adventures.
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Avowed took us by surprise. While Obsidian Entertainment has an exceptional track record, they were somehow able to exceed expectations. This is a traditional RPG through and through, with highly-consequential decision-making that can literally level cities and a massively-diverse combat system that encourages experimentation. With that said, it’s not perfect, as while the story does have compelling components, the pacing is a bit off, with a stronger focus on essentially forcing the player to do side quests and explore the world before continuing. The combat also suffers from issues when it comes to dodging and enemy gap closing, causing frustration...
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Avowed is a special game that I’ll likely replay multiple times over the next decade not just because I want to see every option, but because I want to return to this world and its people again and again.
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Obsidian Entertainment has crafted a masterpiece; every RPG fan owes it to themselves to play Avowed. With a breathtaking world, incredible companions, thrilling combat, intricate customization and deep systems, The Living Lands beckon.
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Despite these issues, Avowed still manages to be an engaging and ambitious RPG. Obsidian's storytelling prowess is on full display, and the game successfully immerses players in the Living Lands. While the Elder Scrolls comparisons don't entirely parallel what you'll experience with Avowed, mainly due to the heavy handed direct storytelling, Obsidian still managest to pull off a great open world RPG with a lot of exciting moments. If you're looking for an RPG with deep lore, solid combat, and meaningful choices, Avowed is worth playing—just be ready for a few bumps along the way.
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Avowed is so much more than Obsidian’s take on Skyrim. This game sets the standard for what future Western RPGs should strive for. Nearly every option in combat is worth exploring, the companions are fully fleshed out with backstories that beg to be uncovered, and the anti-imperialist message at the center of the larger narrative is full of thoughtful nuance and intrigue. Obsidian has created a wonderful adventure that I can’t wait to start playing again.
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Thanks to its legacy of the excellent Pillars of Eternity games, Avowed is built on a strong foundation. That comes through in every aspect of the game, from its deep lore to its exceptional world-building, characters, and writing. Smartly avoiding the pitfalls of an empty open world, it gives the players densely interesting zones to explore, weighty choices to make, and engaging companions to rely on. Avowed takes the Pillars of Eternity universe on an assured and thoroughly enjoyable journey from CRPG to the action genre.
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It might take you a while to really get into Avowed, but once the story steps up a gear you'll likely want to see it through to its end. In any case, there's a fantastic sense of adventure here, as well as a brilliant combat system that makes each and every encounter a blast.
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Avowed had everything I wanted in an epic, open-world RPG except for that steady flow of narrative. I want the RPG I'm playing to suck me in with its story and keep me playing with its gameplay. When one of those elements is lacking, the game feels like a chore for long periods.
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Avowed is a fantastic action-RPG that focuses on its combat and exploration first and foremost, which you'll either love the sound of, or not so much. Yes, Pillars fans looking for the sort of depth that comes with that series will need to adjust expectations accordingly, as this is a breezy, spunky, fight-fuelled affair that's more about creating cool loadouts and finding treasure than it is falling in love with an NPC or spending ten hours in your inventory at a time. Come for the fast-paced fights, colourful environs and excellent exploration, and you'll have a great time.
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Avowed excels in its good pacing, vibrant zones and dynamic combat, but is ultimately let down by a weak immersive world and the illusion of choice.
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While Avowed doesn’t finish nearly as strong as it starts, the game’s reasonable runtime is still worthwhile. The fantasy world of Eora is fascinating. Exploring it is deeply rewarding. The companions give the journey lots of heart. The story, even for its faults, still tells a cohesive story supported by some visuals and performances. If you can get through a few narrative lowlights and the typical RPG bugs and jank, Avowed houses an approachable but wonderful fantasy RPG worth completing and repeating.
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I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Avowed. Obsidian has crafted another fantastic RPG, and while it does nothing revolutionary, the quality it shows across board make it a joy to play. A game I would highly recommend to any RPG fan.
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Avowed marks a significant step up for Obsidian compared to The Outer Worlds. The game retains the studio's signature excellent writing and narrative while improving the combat (especially the challenge level) and providing a lot of great content to go through. The visuals and performance are also praiseworthy. There are a few shortcomings, but if you're a fan of Western RPGs, you don't want to miss Avowed. It may have started as a spin-off, but it could go on to be the main series in Eora.
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An old-school action RPG that still cares about role-playing as much as action, depending on how you want to play it.
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Beneath Avowed’s mycelium-covered surface lurks a good RPG stifled by a lack of real stakes. The Living Lands feel anything but alive, and while the combat strikes the right balance between fun and challenge, it doesn't offer anything new. If you’re looking for a comfort-food fantasy RPG, then Avowed’s got you covered, but you need to set your expectations accordingly.
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Avowed is a terrific game from Obsidian Entertainment and is their best outing since Fallout: New Vegas. The world is rich with exploitable zones and characters to interact with. Each response by the player character makes the roleplaying aspect all the more enjoyable. Switching weapons on the fly feels incredible during battles, and the different types are fun to play around with. While the messy weapons screen and third-person mode feel off during gameplay, those minor instances don’t der...
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Avowed is a stellar RPG, with satisfying combat, a gripping story, lovable characters, and plenty of roleplaying opportunities. It has more than its fair share of annoyances and jank, but the heart is what makes Avowed a must play.
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Avowed nails its priorities and delivers a fun adventure full of charm, intrigue, and weighty decisions, but its RPG muscles could’ve used more work.
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About ten hours into Avowed, I was eager to leave Dawnshore, the fantasy RPG’s first area. I wanted to discover what nail-biting choices, legendary weapons, and wonderfully designed place were coming next. Before I could do that, I had to deal with a major consequence of my actions: The first NPC I met in Avowed was killed.
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Avowed is an excellent first-person fantasy RPG that features slick combat feel and moreish exploration. Its setting of the Living Lands is rich in atmosphere and has an ethereal quality that made me want to uncover every nook and cranny. Obsidian’s writing is as sharp as ever, and the cast of party members is both charming and highly memorable.
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Despite an inviting, off-kilter world and quality writing, Avowed abides by an almost arcane dedication to process and formula that drains it of its weird, compelling marrow. It's good, easygoing fun, though it won't linger long in the mind beyond the credits.
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A modestly ambitious action role-player, that’s very good at making you feel you have an impact on the world, but it’s let down by endless reams of mundane dialogue and predictable mechanics.
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At first glance, and even after spending dozens of hours with it, there's no denying that Avowed has all the right ingredients for a great fantasy RPG with real depth and charm. Unfortunately, it ultimately feels like those ingredients haven't been cooked long enough, as what is served up feels rushed. If this is what the game intended to achieve, that would be a different story. However, it's all too clear what Avowed wants to do, which is what makes its failure to reach the heights of its own self-defined potential all the more disappointing. What Avowed does get right...
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What Avowed lacks in gloss it makes up for with charm, depth and a playful heart. It's one of this year's most pleasant surprises.
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Avowed continues Obsidian’s tradition of creating excellent RPGs that feel heavily linked to well-trodden genres, yet not doing quite enough to carve out a new identity. There’s a lot to be charmed by, be it nuanced characters and choices, a heavy dialogue focus, and a compelling central mystery where what’s ‘good’ isn’t often clear. While it doesn’t push the envelope, it does enough to justify its place, and for just the price of a GamePass subscription, it’s easy to recommend trying.
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Avowed is unlikely to be marked as a trailblazer, but everything it sets out to do it accomplishes with style and confidence. I expect to many it'll be regarded as a cult classic in years to come.
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Even though it took a while for the story to hook me, Avowed managed to bring a truly unique world to life with creative combat and stunning settings.
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Obsidian Entertainment continues to live up to players' expectations of delivering a game with quality writing, engaging choices, and compelling gameplay. Avowed is all those things and more: an epic fantasy that'll keep you hooked, which makes it one of the best RPGs this decade.
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If you like Obsidian RPGs like Fallout: New Vegas and Outer Worlds, Avowed will be the game for you. It serves up everything you know and love about the company's games, with plenty of quirky elements and strange characters. Its lore is as profound as it is confusing and convoluted from minute one. But in the end, it's a fun RPG that'll keep you busy for a while.
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Obsidian Entertainment has successfully carved out its own slice of the fantasy RPG genre with Avowed: a beautiful, fun, and exciting adventure with a gripping new world to explore through multiple playthroughs. Outside its occasional technical hiccups and leveling issues, the core offering captures that essential role-playing game hook that makes you want to explore as much as possible and marvel at whatever random curiosities, quests, or treasures you happen across. We can only hope DLC or a sequel is on Obsidian’s minds so we can see more of The Living Lands and the developer can further refine its execution...
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Avowed delivers where it matters: an interesting world with memorable companions and a rich combat system that rewards experimentation. Pillars of Eternity fans will feast on the various nods and references to the beloved CRPGs, but newcomers to Eora will still find plenty to enjoy with Obsidian Entertainment’s latest RPG.
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