When The Outer Worlds released, there was a bit of pushback from some players who found it too short and light on content. However, we absolutely loved every part of it. Obsidian made a deliberate choice to step away from the trend in 2019, where every game seemed intent on creating vast, sprawling open worlds. This shift was refreshing, especially as we had begun to grow tired of endlessly collecting items across massive, often tedious, game worlds. Sure, those expanses were visually stunning and historically rich, but they often felt empty and monotonous.
In contrast, The Outer Worlds felt like an immediate and exhilarating experience, thanks to its smaller, more focused world and relatively tight runtime. The companions were some of our all-time favorites, with Parvati standing out in particular (we miss you, Parvati!). The game felt like a challenge that was both attainable and highly replayable, making it easy to come back to again and again.
Thankfully, Avowed carries on in much the same vein. The game’s world is divided into smaller, distinct regions—each one sizable, yet much more manageable than most modern open-world games. The decision to downsize pays off, with locations that are packed with cleverly designed environments, secrets to uncover, caves to explore, and quirky NPC conversations. There’s never a dull moment, and even without the convenience of a horse for faster travel, the game keeps you engaged every step of the way.
Avowed begins in Dawnshore, with you playing as another “Chosen One” protagonist, a trope that can feel a bit overdone. Nevertheless, it works here, allowing the story to focus on the task at hand: following the mysterious voice of a god trapped in another world. The narrative is straightforward, which some may find lacking in depth, but it serves as a solid foundation for the game’s action-oriented experience.
While the story might not offer any major surprises, fans of Pillars of Eternity will appreciate the lore scattered throughout the world and the incredible representation of various locations. However, the conversation system and player choices are lighter than expected, and the companions—though likable—don’t reach the heights of The Outer Worlds' memorable cast. You won’t find yourself memorizing their names (well, except for a few). It’s clear that the focus here is on combat.
The combat system in Avowed is engaging and fast-paced, with plenty of opportunities for customization. We spent most of our playthrough in first-person view, though third-person will certainly make an appearance in future runs. The combat system may be light on strategy—there are no intricate team synergies or complex plans to devise—but it feels great. It's quick, flashy, and deeply satisfying, making each encounter a fun, action-packed experience.
There’s a surprising amount of variety in combat, thanks to the dual-wielding and quick-switching mechanics that let you equip four weapon slots, mixing swords, spears, shields, grimoires, and more. You can experiment with different loadouts, finding what works best for you while unlocking new abilities to enhance your playstyle. By the end of our first run, we could stealthily sneak through areas, take out enemies from a distance, and unleash devastating spells. And the best part? You can mix and match magical abilities, wielding multiple forms of magic depending on the grimoires you find.
The loot system is another highlight, with simple yet striking gear. There’s no shortage of weapons and armor to collect, whether you’re into light outfits, bows, or guns. However, grenades feel a little underwhelming in comparison to the more impactful spells.
Companions also have unlockable skills that can be used automatically in combat, but these skills are relatively straightforward, with no deep strategy involved. You’ll be pausing mid-combat to direct them, but don’t expect to spend hours fine-tuning abilities or setting up complex combos. The focus is on fast-paced action rather than intricate tactical planning.
Exploration and combat are the driving forces behind Avowed, with a more concise, bite-sized structure that makes it incredibly replayable. The world is filled with big choices, different endings, and class-specific responses to scenarios, but the story’s impact is often overshadowed by the focus on action. Side quests and bounty missions enrich the experience, and the environmental design is fantastic. You’ll find yourself enjoying the exploration as much as the combat, as you scale cliffs, dive into waters, and uncover hidden secrets in every corner of the world.
Despite the fantastic exploration and combat, Avowed doesn’t quite match the depth of Pillars of Eternity or Skyrim. If you're expecting a narrative-driven RPG with heavy emphasis on character interactions and choices, you might be disappointed. This is an action-focused game through and through, and it’s best enjoyed with that mindset.

On the technical side, we did experience a few bugs during our playthrough, including some issues with Yatzli’s special ability that required restarting dungeons. There’s also some noticeable frame rate stutter during certain encounters in quality mode, though performance mode offers a solid 60 FPS with some sacrifices in visuals. Overall, the game still looks great, but performance may vary depending on your settings.
For those looking for a challenge, the difficulty, even on hard mode, might feel a bit forgiving. It’s easy to slip into auto-pilot mode on lower difficulties, so if you’re after a real test, you’ll want to crank up the difficulty and prepare for more intense combat.
In conclusion, Avowed is a highly enjoyable action-RPG that prioritizes fast combat and exploration over deep narrative or complex strategy. If you’re looking for a fun, replayable experience with plenty of exciting combat and treasure hunting, this game delivers. Just don’t go in expecting the intricate storylines or character depth of Pillars of Eternity. For what it aims to be, Avowed is a fantastic adventure worth taking on.

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