Obsidian Entertainment has long been known for pushing creative boundaries with games that mix innovation with familiar comforts. With Avowed, the studio dives back into the traditional action RPG formula that many fans have come to love, yet it brings a refined, modern touch to the genre. In this article, we’ll explore Avowed’s rich narrative, dynamic gameplay, and thoughtful design decisions—ideal for beginners in the US who are curious about jumping into a sprawling fantasy adventure.
A Familiar Fantasy World Reimagined
If you’ve ever spent time around a virtual campfire swapping stories with your in-game companions, you know that classic RPGs thrive on deep lore and memorable character interactions. Avowed reawakens that nostalgic thrill by embracing the well-worn tropes of the genre. Set in the fantasy universe that fans of Pillars of Eternity will immediately recognize, the game delivers a comforting mix of established RPG clichés and meticulous world-building.
At its core, Avowed places you in the shoes of a powerful, godlike figure—a character imbued with both magical prowess and the duty of serving as the Emperor’s envoy. Your journey takes you to the wild and mysterious Living Lands, where you must confront the ominous Dreamscourge—a plague that brings madness and chaos to the realm. This dual narrative of epic responsibility and personal growth makes the game engaging even for newcomers who might be experiencing an RPG of this scale for the first time.
Storytelling That Draws You In
One of Avowed’s standout qualities is its focus on narrative. The game excels in delivering compelling dialogue and intricate plot twists that keep you invested in its lore. Every conversation, whether it takes place around a campfire or amid the ruins of an ancient fortress, feels like a window into a deeper world. You’ll find yourself piecing together the mystery of the Dreamscourge and grappling with moral decisions that not only shape your character’s destiny but also influence the fate of the Living Lands.
As you progress, the decisions you make can significantly alter the course of events. For instance, a seemingly routine choice—like casting a potent, game-changing spell—can lead to unexpected consequences, affecting how both allies and adversaries perceive you. These narrative nuances not only add replay value but also empower you to shape the world with your actions. The game doesn’t overwhelm beginners with convoluted lore; instead, it offers clear explanations via an integrated reference guide that pops up during critical conversations, ensuring you always understand the context behind every decision.
Meet Your Unforgettable Companions
No RPG is complete without a colorful cast of characters, and Avowed delivers on this front with gusto. You’re not alone in your journey. Alongside you are companions who are as intriguing as they are capable. Take Kai, the sarcastic reptilian mercenary whose unexpected interest in woodworking adds layers to his otherwise rugged exterior. Then there’s Yatzli, a catlike mage with a mischievous personality whose playful innuendos keep the mood light even in the midst of danger.
While the banter among your party members adds a refreshing dose of humor, it also deepens the narrative, making every interaction feel genuine. Although the game teases the possibility of romance through its engaging dialogue and character dynamics, it remains clear that Avowed’s focus lies in storytelling and strategic combat rather than deep romantic subplots. This choice ensures that the game remains accessible and appealing to beginners who are more interested in exploring its vast world than in managing intricate relationship mechanics.
Combat: A Balance of Strategy and Action
At its heart, Avowed is a game about dynamic combat. Whether you prefer unleashing high-powered spells from a safe distance or engaging in up-close melee combat, the game offers a fluid, responsive system that caters to a variety of playstyles. Beginners will appreciate the intuitive controls and the learning curve that rewards careful strategy over brute force.
Imagine conjuring a spell that creates a miniature black hole, lifting enemies helplessly into the air, or summoning a violent lightning storm to decimate clusters of foes. These moments aren’t just visually spectacular—they’re designed to give you a real sense of power. For those who lean towards physical combat, the game provides an array of martial abilities. You can execute precise blocking maneuvers, devastating power attacks, and even perform a ramming strike to knock enemies off balance.
However, as any dedicated RPG player knows, every advantage comes with its challenges. Avowed keeps you on your toes by introducing a variety of enemy types—from reanimated skeletons and oversized spiders to, yes, an almost comically high number of bears. While the frequent bear encounters might seem repetitive at first, they serve as a reminder that even in a meticulously crafted world, sometimes the simplest foes can challenge your skills when you’re on the hardest difficulty settings.
A World Rich in Exploration
Avowed’s setting is divided into four distinct open-world hubs, each boasting its own unique atmosphere and challenges. Whether you’re wandering through a lush forested port town, exploring a corrupted countryside where danger lurks behind every shadow, trekking across a perilous desert, or braving an ashen wasteland dominated by a rumbling volcano, every environment is designed to be both visually stunning and brimming with personality.
For beginners, the world of Avowed is a joy to explore. Each hub offers a carefully curated mix of side quests, hidden treasures, and subtle narrative cues that encourage you to dig deeper into the lore. The design philosophy here is clear: while the maps might not be vast in size, every inch is crafted with a level of detail that rewards curiosity and careful exploration. This structure also means that once you’ve cleared an area, you won’t be constantly bombarded by the same enemies on repeat runs. Instead, the world feels more like a living tapestry, where your actions and progress influence the environment in subtle, yet meaningful ways.
Seamless Movement and Innovative Mechanics
A distinctive feature of Avowed is its emphasis on mobility. The game incorporates a parkour system that invites you to leap across gaps, scale ledges, and navigate treacherous terrain in creative ways. This isn’t about high-flying acrobatics reminiscent of modern action titles—it’s about adding an extra layer of interactivity to your exploration. Whether you’re searching for a hidden chest or trying to avoid a deadly trap, this system keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.
Beyond movement, Avowed introduces several quality-of-life improvements that cater especially well to beginners. Traditional RPGs often burden players with rigid stamina systems and restrictive inventory limits. Avowed smartly sidesteps these pitfalls. While your character does manage stamina during combat (adding an element of tactical decision-making), sprinting through the vast landscapes never drains your energy.
Likewise, the inventory system is designed to be generous and intuitive. Only bulky items like weapons and armor occupy space, leaving you free to collect consumables, crafting materials, and other small treasures without worry. And if your backpack gets too full? A simple “send to camp” button lets you offload items on the fly, ensuring you stay on top of your loot without breaking the flow of adventure.
Technical Polish and Reliability
One of the most refreshing aspects of Avowed is its technical stability—a rarity in modern RPGs that often suffer from glitches and crashes. During extensive play sessions, technical issues are few and far between. On a 50-hour completionist run, for instance, you might stumble upon a few minor hiccups—a misplaced compass pointer or a fleeting polygon error—but nothing that detracts from the overall immersive experience. This level of polish is a testament to Obsidian’s commitment to quality, ensuring that even beginners can dive into the game without worrying about disruptive bugs or crashes.
Crafting a World You Can Believe In
At the end of the day, what makes Avowed stand out isn’t just its combat mechanics or its polished visuals—it’s the world itself. Obsidian has built a realm that feels alive, one where every corner hides a story waiting to be told. Whether you’re engrossed in dialogue with a local, rummaging through ancient ruins, or making snap decisions in the heat of battle, the game continuously reminds you that your actions matter.
For beginners, this is especially important. A game that clearly communicates its lore and encourages exploration can make the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling empowered. Avowed’s built-in reference guide and context-sensitive lore pop-ups ensure that even those new to complex fantasy narratives can follow along with ease. You don’t need to be a seasoned RPG veteran to appreciate the layers of storytelling and world-building on offer; every player is invited to forge their own path in a world that rewards curiosity, strategy, and a willingness to engage with its many secrets.
The Verdict: A Solid, Familiar Adventure
In many ways, Avowed is a love letter to the classic RPGs that defined a generation. It leans into established tropes—the thoughtful dialogue, the intricate lore, and the rewarding combat systems—without trying to reinvent the wheel. While it may not dazzle with groundbreaking innovations, it offers a meticulously crafted experience that respects the conventions of its genre while polishing them to a shine.
For the beginner looking to step into a fantasy adventure without being overwhelmed by complexity, Avowed provides a welcoming entry point. The game’s accessible mechanics, engaging narrative, and stable performance create an environment where you can truly immerse yourself in a rich, fantastical world. It reminds us why we fell in love with RPGs in the first place: for the stories that captivate us, the worlds that invite exploration, and the characters that feel like trusted companions on a perilous journey.
Obsidian may have once surprised us with experimental titles—a quirky insect-filled survival game or a 2D detective story steeped in 16th-century intrigue—but with Avowed, they’ve returned to form. The game stands as a reliable, heartwarming example of what an action RPG should be: a balanced blend of narrative depth, strategic combat, and world-building that feels both vast and intimately detailed.
Final Thoughts for New Adventurers
If you’re just starting your journey into the realm of fantasy RPGs, Avowed is a title that offers both comfort and excitement. It welcomes you with familiar elements—a hero’s journey filled with tough choices, memorable companions, and a world that feels genuinely alive. And while it adheres closely to the tried-and-true formula of past classics, its technical polish and quality-of-life improvements set it apart as a modern classic in its own right.
Whether you’re battling reanimated skeletons, dodging oversized spiders, or—even if it seems a bit overdone—fending off a horde of bears, every moment in Avowed is crafted to remind you that in this world, adventure awaits around every corner. The game’s blend of narrative intrigue, tactical combat, and expansive exploration offers a compelling invitation to those who want to experience a fantasy world that feels both timeless and refreshingly accessible.
For beginners in the US who might be hesitant about delving into complex RPGs, Avowed simplifies the experience without sacrificing depth. The game is designed to be intuitive yet richly layered, ensuring that you’re never left wondering about the story or your next objective. It’s an invitation to step into a meticulously crafted universe—a place where every decision matters, every dialogue has a purpose, and every battle is a chance to grow stronger and wiser.
Ultimately, Avowed may not revolutionize the RPG genre, but it serves as a robust reminder of why these games continue to capture our imaginations. With stellar world-building, engaging character interactions, and gameplay that feels both challenging and rewarding, it offers an experience that’s as enjoyable for newcomers as it is for long-time fans of the genre.
So, if you’re ready for an adventure where every campfire conversation, every parkour leap, and every strategic battle is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a rich fantasy narrative, Avowed might just be the perfect starting point for your next epic journey.
Play Avowed on PC via a Steam.
In Summary
Avowed stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic action RPGs. It marries nostalgic gameplay elements with modern design sensibilities, ensuring that the experience is accessible, engaging, and technically solid. Whether you’re drawn in by the promise of immersive storytelling, the thrill of dynamic combat, or simply the chance to explore a vibrant fantasy world, Avowed delivers on all fronts.
By focusing on what makes RPGs so enduring—character-driven narratives, meaningful choices, and a world that feels both vast and intimate—Obsidian has crafted an adventure that will resonate with beginners and veterans alike. So grab your gear, ready your spells, and prepare to write your own chapter in the ever-evolving saga of the Living Lands.
