Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox Game Studios have released first-person, single player RPG Avowed on PC and Xbox, including Game Pass. ($69.99).
Avowed is a first-person RPG a la Skyrim, where players create their customizable character, and wield melee weapons, spells, and even firearms. Players can progress down four different skill trees: fighter, ranger, wizard, or godlike.
Avowed is set in the Living Lands of Eora, from Obisidan’s Pillars of Eternity series. The Living Lands is a rugged frontier island that has yet to be explored in the series. It’s overrun by a plague called The Dreamscourge, making it more resistant to colonization.
As with Obsidian’s other first-person RPG, The Outer Worlds, players needn’t tackle the adventure alone. Avowed features four primary companions, including an animancer scientist and a talented hunter, each with their own personalities, skills, and quest lines.
Unlike Skyrim, Avowed isn’t a fully open world adventure. It’s more like The Outer Worlds, with large zones and areas players can explore.
It’s not every day an isometric, party-based RPG series is transformed into a first-person adventure. Avowed has avoided the controversy surrounding many big new game releases, with critics and audiences declaring “It’s fine.” It’s sitting at 80 on Metacritic, and a Very Positive rating on Steam.
I was a big fan of both Pillars of Eternity games, and look forward to tackling Avowed in the future.
In addition to the standard edition, the Premium Edition includes a digital soundtrack and artbook, and two skin packs ($89.99).
Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox Series X/S. It’s rated M for Mature with Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, and Strong Language.
