RPS Review: Avowed - The Verdict

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Post on Feb 14, 2025

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RPS Review: Avowed - The Verdict: Obsidian's RPG Ambitions Deliver (Mostly)

Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind Pillars of Eternity and The Outer Worlds, has finally unleashed its highly anticipated first-person RPG, Avowed. This article delves into a comprehensive review of Avowed, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and overall verdict. We'll cover key aspects like combat, exploration, story, and character development to help you decide if Avowed is worth adding to your gaming library.

A World of Intrigue: Exploring the Setting of Aethel

Avowed plunges players into the vibrant and treacherous world of Aethel, an island steeped in lore and brimming with danger. The environment is exquisitely detailed, showcasing Obsidian's renowned world-building prowess. From towering castles to sprawling forests and mysterious dungeons, Aethel feels alive and reactive. Exploration is rewarding, uncovering hidden quests, powerful artifacts, and stunning vistas. The sheer scale of Aethel is impressive, encouraging extensive exploration and replayability. The level design is clever, subtly guiding players while allowing for plenty of freedom in approaching objectives.

Strengths in World Building:

• Immersive Storytelling: The narrative unfolds organically through environmental storytelling and engaging NPCs, creating a rich and believable world.
• Detailed Environments: The level of detail in the environments is exceptional, making exploration a consistently enjoyable experience.
• Verticality and Exploration: Aethel isn't just a flat landscape; it encourages vertical exploration, rewarding players who take the time to climb, explore hidden areas, and discover secrets.

Combat: A Refined but Familiar System

Avowed adopts a first-person combat system that's both familiar and innovative. While borrowing elements from other successful RPGs, Obsidian has refined the mechanics to offer a unique and engaging experience. The skill system is deep and customizable, allowing for diverse builds and playstyles. Strategic positioning and utilizing environmental elements are key to success.

Combat Mechanics Deep Dive:

• Spellcasting: Magic users will find a satisfying system with diverse spells and effects, adding depth and strategic value to combat.
• Melee Combat: Melee combat is visceral and impactful, feeling weighty and responsive.
• Stealth: Stealth mechanics are effective and rewarding, offering players a viable alternative to direct confrontation.

Story and Character Development: A Tale of Morality and Choice

Avowed presents a compelling narrative with meaningful choices that impact the story's progression. While the main storyline is engaging, the side quests are often equally compelling, providing additional context and character development. The dialogue is well-written and acted, with believable characters that add depth to the world. Player choices significantly affect relationships with NPCs and the overall narrative arc.

Narrative High Points:

• Moral Ambiguity: Players are constantly faced with moral dilemmas, forcing them to consider the consequences of their actions.
• Compelling Characters: The cast of characters is diverse and memorable, adding richness and complexity to the story.
• Branching Narrative: The multiple paths and choices lead to unique outcomes, encouraging replayability.

Technical Performance and Potential Issues:

While the game is visually impressive, some players have reported minor technical issues, including occasional bugs and performance dips. However, these appear to be relatively minor and haven't significantly hampered the overall experience. Obsidian has already released patches addressing some of these concerns, suggesting a commitment to post-launch support.

The Verdict: A Strong Contender in the RPG Genre

Avowed is a strong addition to the RPG landscape. While it might not reinvent the wheel, it successfully blends familiar mechanics with compelling storytelling and a rich, immersive world. The deep combat system, meaningful choices, and captivating story make Avowed a worthwhile experience for fans of first-person RPGs. Minor technical issues aside, Avowed delivers on its ambitious promises and is a title well worth exploring. Obsidian's reputation for creating engaging worlds and compelling narratives is solidified with this release.

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