'Avowed' Review

You play as an Envoy to the Emperor of Aedyr, dispatched to the untamed Living Lands to investigate the mysterious "Dreamscourge"—a terrifying plague that corrupts both humans and animals, driving them into madness with unspoken voices while their bodies become infested with fungus. But there's more to your journey: as a Godlike, you have been altered by divine forces before birth, manifesting as mushroom-like growths on your body. Since your arrival in this strange frontier, you've been hearing disturbing voices in your mind.

'Avowed.'

Obsidian Entertainment

The mycelium theme may seem odd, but it's essential not only to your character's design (with a wide range of customizable features, from "enoki hair" to "Swamp Thing") but also to the world you explore. Though set in the same universe as Obsidian Entertainment’s Pillars of Eternity series, the presence of spore-infected creatures and environments offers a unique visual style, setting it apart from many typical fantasy RPGs—imagine something closer to The Last of Us than Skyrim.

Obsidian Entertainment

While comparisons to Skyrim are inevitable, Avowed takes a different approach with its open-world design. Instead of one giant map, the game is divided into meticulously crafted regions that, while vast, are filled with rich detail and secrets. The branching narrative allows you to shape your hero's journey, whether they evolve into a powerful fungal being or a more grounded character. The main storyline, however, feels more focused than some other open-world RPGs.

Your companions play a significant role in the plot, adding depth to the experience. These characters often defy typical RPG tropes—such as a dwarf who's not Scottish—and their personal histories are crucial to the narrative. However, the necessity of these companions in progressing the plot sometimes makes them feel more like obligatory sidekicks. For example, no matter how much you disdain Kai, the lizard-man fighter from the colonial Aedyran Empire, he’ll stay with you because the plot demands it.

Obsidian Entertainment

Where Avowed truly shines, though, is its combat system. Your character’s abilities can be finely tuned to suit different playstyles, whether as a fighter, wizard, ranger, or a hybrid of multiple classes. You can also bring two companions along in battle, adding another layer of strategy. The option to dual-wield—such as combining an axe with a magical grimoire—gives combat a dynamic feel, blending melee and magic seamlessly. At its best, the flow of combat is fluid and strategic, almost like a dance.

Though it might not radically reinvent the RPG genre, Avowed offers an engaging and entertaining experience, with its rich writing, captivating characters, and unique fungal theme. Whether you're playing as a heroic mushroom or a more traditional adventurer, the game promises a memorable journey.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC