Avowed

2025 - 2 - 13

Spell-Slinging Wizardry: Is Avowed the Next Skyrim or Just a Fun Detour?

Avowed - Elder Scrolls - Fantasy RPG - Game Reviews - Obsidian Entertainment - Skyrim - Steam Deck - Xbox Game Studios

Unleashing magic and parkour in Avowed – Obsidian’s latest RPG adventure shows promise but leaves you questioning your moral compass!

Avowed, the latest offering from Obsidian Entertainment, has hit the shelves, and opinions are as diverse as the characters you meet in its sprawling fantasy landscape. Many gamers approached this title with high expectations, hoping for a true successor to the legendary Elder Scrolls series, particularly Skyrim. However, while Avowed does offer an impressive array of spell-slinging mechanics and parkour elements, it also prompts players to contemplate the ethical implications of their actions: Are we the baddies in this new role-playing escapade?

One of the standout features of Avowed is its fast-paced, spell-slinging gameplay. Unlike traditional RPGs that often emphasize turn-based strategy, Avowed puts players directly in the action, allowing for a blend of parkour and magic that feels reminiscent of both a first-person shooter and a fantasy epic. It's not entirely what fans were hoping for, but it's a fun twist that provides a fresh take on exploring fantastical realms. However, with great power comes great responsibility—or so the game suggests as it challenges players to face the consequences of being part of an occupying force. Talk about a moral dilemma!

As players traverse through Avowed’s richly detailed world, they’ll encounter gigantic landscapes and intricate lore that promise an immersive experience. Yet, some critics argue that despite the visual and narrative richness, the gameplay can become repetitive after prolonged sessions. While the quest for adventure may keep players engaged at first, the novelty of combat and exploration can wear thin. It’s a bit like binge-watching a new series: thrilling at first, but soon runners into a common plot trope that makes you roll your eyes.

In essence, Avowed serves as both a captivating distraction and a difficult piece to compare with its predecessors. The enchanting spell mechanics and parkour elements might just win over some hearts, despite its moral complexities and gameplay flaws. Whether you see it as an intermission between Elder Scrolls eras or just another fantasy venture from Obsidian, it’s clear that Avowed has succeeded in igniting conversations about what players want from modern RPGs and the moral weight of their in-game decisions.

Did you know that Obsidian Entertainment has a history of creating fan-favorite RPGs such as Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity? Their expertise in weaving intricate stories with ethical dilemmas dates back to their past works, making Avowed a worthy continuation of their legacy. Plus, rumor has it that Avowed's spell-casting mechanics were heavily influenced by real-world interpretations of magical practices, adding a fascinating layer of authenticity to the game’s fantasy elements!

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Image courtesy of "Rock Paper Shotgun"

Avowed review (Rock Paper Shotgun)

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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Image courtesy of "TheGamer"

Avowed Review - Wizard With A Gun (TheGamer)

Xbox's first big game of the year continues the trend of so close, yet so far.

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Image courtesy of "Vulture"

'Avowed' Review: Can Anyone Build a Better 'Skyrim'? (Vulture)

The new video game 'Avowed' from Xbox Game Studios and Obsidian Entertainment invites the comparison to a certain other first-person fantasy RPG, ...

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Image courtesy of "The Verge"

Avowed makes the wait for the next Elder Scrolls much easier (The Verge)

On February 18th, Obsidian launches the fantasy RPG Avowed on PC and Xbox.

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Image courtesy of "Ars Technica"

Avowed review: Wait, are we the baddies? (Ars Technica)

Obsidian's new fantasy RPG asks you to be the unwelcome face of a hated occupying force.

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

'Avowed' Review (PC): An Excellent 'Elder Scrolls' Intermission (Forbes)

Avowed is a new Xbox exclusive from the storied Obsidian, a fantasy adventure that is a worthwhile investment, even if it doesn't take up all that much of ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Avowed review – Annihilation meets Oblivion in a vast, intricate ... (The Guardian)

Obsidian's huge, heavily detailed fantasy world has a lot of variety and texture, and interesting people to meet - but the combat and exploration wear thin.

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Image courtesy of "TheGamer"

Priests Are The Worst Thing In Avowed (TheGamer)

The enemy healers make combat into even more of a slog than it needs to be.

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

'Avowed' Runs Well On Steam Deck, But Do This First (Forbes)

If you're a Steam Deck owner hoping to explore the Living Lands of Obsidian's Avowed on your favorite handheld, I'm happy to deliver some good news.

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Image courtesy of "PC Gamer"

I grabbed this badass flaming sword in the first 4 hours of Avowed ... (PC Gamer)

This badass fire sword will carry you through the early game and beyond.

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Image courtesy of "ESPN"

Avowed review: Frantically fun gameplay meets a dull world - ESPN (ESPN)

Combat is fun and interesting in Avowed -- but surprisingly for an Obsidian game, the story and characters are not.

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Image courtesy of "TheGamer"

Avowed's Death Twist Doesn't Go Anywhere (TheGamer)

Games have an odd relationship with death. I 'died' dozens of times in Avowed as a natural consequence of this being a combat-based game wherein the main ...

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Image courtesy of "Newsweek"

Avowed Full Cast List Reveals Familiar Voice Actor for Kai (Newsweek)

As it's a fully-voiced RPG, there are plenty of voice actors from across the gaming world involved, but Kai in particular has made people sit up and take notice ...

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Image courtesy of "Rolling Stone"

How the Creators of 'Avowed' Mastered the Art of Sequels (Rolling Stone)

'Avowed' follows 'Fallout: New Vegas' and 'KOTOR 2' as the evolution of the 'Pillars of Eternity' IP.

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