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Of all the games scheduled for release in late 2024, Avowed seemed like the least likely to face delays. Earlier previews showcased a polished and engaging experience, giving fans confidence in its development. However, while games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle grappled with challenges, Avowed was the one delayed to early 2025. Thankfully, the delay is not due to production issues but likely strategic timing, ensuring the game has room to thrive in a competitive market.
Diving Into the Living Lands
In the recent gameplay preview, players were allowed to experience Avowed from the very beginning, including its robust character creation system. As a “godlike,” your character carries the blessing (or curse) of divine influence, marked by unique physical traits. While players can choose to hide these features, NPCs will still comment on them, integrating your appearance into the story. The character creator offers plenty of flexibility, allowing for both serious and whimsical designs, ensuring your protagonist feels personal.
The narrative begins with your role as the Emperor’s Envoy, tasked with investigating a soul plague spreading through the Living Lands, a fungal infection reminiscent of The Last of Us. After a shipwrecked start, you gather gear tailored to your playstyle, whether as a warrior, ranger, or mage, and set out to explore.
A Compact and Detailed World
The Living Lands is a smaller, more focused map compared to sprawling open-world RPGs. This design choice avoids overwhelming players with vast, empty spaces, instead delivering a richly detailed and immersive environment. The smaller scale feels purposeful, with every corner of the world brimming with life and detail.
Visually, Avowed impresses with vibrant environments and highly detailed character models. While some NPCs exhibit slightly uncanny features, the game’s stylized approach adds charm to its inhabitants, particularly the cat-like creatures and the fang-filled grin of Kai, a notable companion.
Gameplay and Combat: A Standout Feature
As expected from Obsidian, dialogue and storytelling are layered and engaging, with choices that feel meaningful. Backgrounds and abilities influence conversations, providing depth and variety to interactions. However, it’s the combat that truly shines in Avowed.
Inspired by the fast-paced, visceral style of Vermintide, Avowed offers satisfying combat mechanics whether you wield a sword, bow, or spellbook. Mage builds, in particular, highlight the game’s creativity, allowing players to manipulate the environment during battles. For example, you can lead enemies into a puddle and electrify it with lightning spells. Even melee combat feels dynamic and engaging, avoiding repetitive button-mashing.
Areas for Improvement
Despite its strengths, Avowed raises a couple of concerns. The main story, centered on the soul plague, offers an intriguing premise but risks being overshadowed by the game’s focus on combat and exploration. While Avowed is still in its early stages, its storytelling doesn’t yet match the narrative mastery Obsidian demonstrated in Pentiment.
Another challenge lies in its February 2025 release date. With major titles like Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and Assassin’s Creed Shadows also launching that month, Avowed faces stiff competition. Its smaller scale may make it harder to stand out in a crowded market, but its unique gameplay and compact design could work in its favor.
Final Thoughts
Avowed is shaping up to be a compelling RPG with a focus on creative combat and a richly detailed world. While its story and release timing present challenges, the game’s strong mechanics and thoughtful design give it the potential to stand out. As February approaches, RPG fans will have plenty to look forward to, and Avowed seems ready to hold its own in the packed lineup of 2025.
Can’t wait. Just replayed Outer Worlds again on a dumb play siding with the board. God I love Obsidian games.