Action RPG

Avowed review – The Living Lands call your name

BBG News

Without seeking it, you’ve found yourself in an extraordinary position: neither did you ask to be exceptional among your peers, bound by a cryptic, loquacious Deity; nor did you choose to be castaways in The Living Lands, isolated and confronted by hostility as a representative of the expanding Aedyr Empire. Yet, here you stand, a crucial piece in the grand scheme of things, with the tranquility of the land hanging precariously on your actions.

How about you tell me what you’re involved with? What direction are you headed next? In the game Avowed, the players have the power to shape a complex and intricate story involving shadowy political plots, difficult decisions, and frequent moral dilemmas.

Declared offers a captivating journey through multiple layers, masterfully crafted by Obsidian Entertainment. This fantasy realm breaks free from typical stereotypes to feel genuine, engaging, and deeply textured. Every corner of this world resonates with history and culture, ensuring that each advance carries significant impact.

Translation: You feel a sense of unease when your friends disapprove of your decisions, or when difficult choices have significant repercussions. Actions carry consequences, so it’s important to act cautiously as one action can set off a chain reaction.

Escaping common tropes

In the realm of fantasy storytelling, it’s quite ordinary to encounter a world under the control of malevolent forces. However, what sets “Avowed” apart is its intricacy and the way it skillfully portrays complex cultural conflicts, as well as the high stakes involved in deciding the destiny of the Living Lands. This game manages to carve out its unique space within the genre by using subtle differences and sharp writing.

As I delved into the captivating realm of Avowed, I found myself engrossed almost immediately, with its intricate web of conflicts pulling me in. Not long after starting my journey, I encountered Kai, a companion who’s more than just a tag-along. He serves as a gateway to the rich tapestry of Avowed’s world, brimming with his own opinions about events unfolding and a shrouded past that adds depth to the game’s narrative. As our bond deepens, he doesn’t shy away from challenging my choices or nudging me towards wiser strategies.

Marius, Giatta, and Yatzli accompany you – each interesting characters in their own way, influencing your expedition through the vibrant territories, highlighting potential pitfalls in your path, challenging your authority. They prompt you to reassess your situation, the enigmatic riddles of the game: Who wields control? What does power signify? Who holds the power? And what, precisely, is the cryptic voice within guiding you?

Avowed doesn’t evade discussions about right and wrong, as a range of moral dilemmas echo through every journey, debated among your fellow travelers. As you venture forth, you discover your limits of tolerance and learn to discern the underlying presumptions and stereotypes that shape existence in the Living Lands.

As you navigate through the storyline, an enigmatic internal voice subtly challenges your perception of reality and self, leaving you uncertain about your role in the world. Obsidian Entertainment skillfully weaves this complex psychological element into a broader narrative that explores powerful politics and the profound depths of human emotion.

Beauty in all things

A strong script serves as the base for “Avowed” – a game where numerous captivating, emotional elements seamlessly intertwine. The writing, both grand and aspiring in scope, is further bolstered by the authentic charm of its game world and the variety of environments that are delightful to traverse, despite encounters with ominous roaming spiders or Xaurip guards.

In every new location you explore in Avowed, there are awe-inspiring sights to behold – from luminescent fields that seem otherworldly, radiant mushroom ravines, shimmering underwater caves, and a fiery red zone reminiscent of a soulful inferno. After years of navigating generic settings, Avowed felt truly refreshing for me.

Instead of monotonous landscapes with endless fields and earth stretching out as far as one can see, your travels are frequently interrupted by stunningly intricate and breathtaking sights that quickly eclipse those less remarkable areas from memory. Your vision is often captivated by majestic towers soaring high, radiant pods glowing in the distance, or vine-covered structures reaching towards the skies.

In this specific review, I tried out the game “Avowed” on a top-tier HP Omen 35L computer featuring a GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card. The overall gaming experience was remarkably smooth and fluid. This high-performance setup truly accentuated the vibrant colors and creative landscapes that this game offers in its various distinctive locations.

Another amazing aspect is that “Avowed” isn’t shy about using color. Bold hues such as pink, blue, purple, and green dominate the main characters’ costumes, homes, weapons, and attacks. Everywhere you look, there’s a burst of color, making “Avowed” more visually appealing and texturally rich because of it.

Fighting dreamers

The strong fundamentals – color, creativity, taste, and feel – are fortunately backed by enticing and fulfilling gameplay, in exploration and battle. Before its release, early previews highlighted Avowed‘s combat as a notable aspect, with several praising its long-range staff skills as uniquely interesting.

From my perspective, I find that Avowed’s combat stands out exceptionally well, and it’s especially immersive when played with an Xbox Series X/S controller. What sets the combat apart is its tactility. Each strike you land resonates through the controller, making every blow feel real. Wielding a spiked axe gives a multi-layered pressure feedback that underscores the weapon’s impact on opponents, one spike at a time. Drawing an arrow provides a sense of tension as you can feel the bow stretching. It’s a raw, intense experience that keeps you fully engaged.

Similarly, just as your character advances, strikes, and eventually needs to pause for rejuvenation before resuming the fight, you have the opportunity to unleash various spells and magical powers against adversaries, maintaining pressure until an opportunity arises. This system is both exciting and dynamic, greatly enhancing the immersive nature of your adventure.

Few games manage to hit all their elements perfectly, but Avowed comes remarkably close. While opinions may vary, it’s undeniable that the diverse talents at Obsidian Entertainment have crafted an exceptional experience in numerous aspects of gameplay.

A robust battle system enhances numerous challenging storylines. Compelling narration provides motivation for wielding your weapon, safeguarding your allies, and being concerned about the destiny of the world. Stunning visuals and an immersive environment complete the package.

This game, Avowed , is exceptionally immersive and invites you to delve deep into its universe. You won’t require much persuasion, as its appeal shines brightly on its own, and it becomes clear from the very beginning. If you’re searching for the next captivating fantasy RPG brimming with lore and chances for interaction, you’ll find it right here.

Four-and-a-half stars: ★★★★½

Proclaimed
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Personal Computers (PC)
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Release Date: 18th of February, 2025

A PC code for Avowed was provided by the publisher for the purposes of this review.

Read More

2025-02-13 17:10

Previous post Action-packed new UK drama reveals first look with cast that includes Our Girl star
Next post New Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – Journey Together expansion: Pokémon Center release date and more