Avowed Review - Too Close To The Sun

In a similar way to how Obsidian's The Outer Worlds played very closely to a space-faring Fallout, Avowed sticks closely to the sensibilities of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Its fantasy world isn't as expansive and seamlessly stitched together, but you'd be forgiven for confusing the two at a glance, especially when you're engaged in its first-person combat. Avowed lifts some of the best aspects of the seminal RPG and improves them, especially when it comes to its refined combat. These changes extend to a move away from traditional leveling in favor of a gear-focused approach, as well as the option to experiment with wild weapon combinations. But not all of Avowed's experiments are successes, leading to an uneven role-playing adventure that surprises as much as it frustrates.

Washing up on the shores of the Living Lands, you play as one the Godlike: a select few kissed by the grace of a god at birth and left with some distinct (and sometimes frightening) facial features to show for it. On a mission from a distant monarch whose influence within the Living Lands has many of its inhabitants up in arms, your job is to track down the source of a plague that's turning the land's people into mindless, bloodthirsty creatures, before it manages to make it back home. Although it is set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity, Avowed does a good job of immediately siloing you into an area that requires little knowledge of what is happening across the ocean, but does reference some historical events from time to time. A glossary of important names and places is available as they're brought up in conversation, providing a handy guide that contextualizes some attitudes characters have to certain factions and events around you.

Avowed makes a strong initial impression, quickly establishing your Godlike status but with the odd quirk of being the first not to know which god chose you. This isn't the main purpose of your mission, but that changes after a surprising event in the early hours of the game that sets the stage for a more intriguing answer to the plague ravaging the Living Lands. This setup is ultimately squandered, however, with the two big narrative hooks coalescing with one another in routinely expected and uninteresting ways, making the broader strokes of the story largely forgettable. The conversational writing does have its moments of charm, with equally serious and snarky retorts letting you inject some levity into otherwise dire situations with great comedic effect. But the severity of the plague you're trying to stop and the personal journey of finding out why you're the only Godlike without a god is not as captivating as it could be, taking steps along a narrative path that rarely deviates into surprising avenues.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Topics

Director of the Game ‘Avowed’ Says AI Can’t Replace Human Creativity

“Good game stories are going to be written by good narrative designers,” says Obsidian’s Carrie Patel. The new fantasy RPG she helmed gets an early release today.
Wired - 3h
Avowed Review

Avowed's impactful and satisfying combat is undone by a widely unbalanced upgrade system and an uninteresting story that wastes its potential.
GameSpot - 3h
Avowed Early Access Launch Times Revealed

Microsoft's next big game, the RPG Avowed from developer Obsidian, launches on February 18. But the Premium Edition unlocks a full five days earlier, beginning February 13.. Obsidian has now posted ...
GameSpot - 22h
Killer of MP David Amess left Prevent too quickly, review says

The programme's handling of the Conservative MP's murderer was "sub-optimal", a review says.
BBC News - 23h
Tory MP’s killer released from UK anti-terror scheme too early, review finds

Prevent’s assessment of Ali Harbi Ali’s vulnerabilities was ‘problematic’ before murder of David Amess
Financial Times - 1d
PBS closes DEI office

Public broadcaster PBS is closing its office of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), The Hill confirmed Tuesday. “In order to best ensure we are in compliance with the President’s executive order ...
The Hill - 2d
Super Bowl live updates: Too little, too late for Mahomes, Chiefs

Despite having two TD passes, Mahomes has struggled as it's been all Philadelphia and its defense. The Eagles are counting the seconds. Follow all of the action.
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Here Comes the Sun: Darren Criss and more

Actor and singer Darren Criss sits down with Kelefa Sanneh to discuss his latest role in Broadway’s “Maybe Happy Ending.” Then, David Pogue visits the Johnson Space Food Systems Laboratory in ...
CBS News - 4d
Are top honours winners too posh and too southern?

An analysis of those awarded the "higher" honours reveals a significant social and regional divide.
BBC News - 4d

More from GameSpot

Sweet Tooth And The Gang Return In First Look At Twisted Metal Season 2

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the original Twisted Metal game for the PS1. So it's only fitting that the Twisted Metal TV series will return for Season 2 later in 2025. Peacock has ...
GameSpot - 40m
New Xbox Game Pass Titles Revealed For February 2025, Including Starfield For Standard Tier

First wave for the month of love Microsoft has unveiled four new games for Xbox Game Pass this month, along with three titles getting added to the Standard tier of the subscription service. The ...
GameSpot - Feb. 4
Marvel Star Is Trying To Get The Sleeping Dogs Movie Made--And A Game Sequel

Marvel actor Simu Liu has revealed that he is attempting to revive the Sleeping Dogs series with a movie and a sequel to the 2012 game. Liu, who starred in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten ...
GameSpot - Feb. 3
How To Get Free GTA Online Gear For Valentine's Day Right Now

It is Valentine's Day on February 14, and to celebrate, Rockstar Games is giving GTA Online players free stuff and offering up bonuses for couples-themed game modes.. Everyone who logs in to GTA ...
GameSpot - 1h
Nintendo Is "Making Preparations" To Discourage Potential Switch 2 Scalpers

With the Switch 2 launching this year, Nintendo has confirmed that it is preparing to prevent scalpers from negatively impacting the release of its hybrid console. In a press conference, Nintendo ...
GameSpot - Feb. 4