Avowed, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, is being positioned as a major CRPG contender reminiscent of Skyrim, set to launch on February 18. Players will take on the role of a Divine character in the world of Eora, facing challenges influenced by player choices and a rich narrative. While promising vibrant landscapes and deep customization, the game struggles with technical issues, including performance and graphical fidelity, which may impact its overall reception at release.
Avowed: A New Era in CRPGs?
Since its initial teaser in July 2020, Avowed has been touted by Xbox and Obsidian Entertainment as the new Skyrim. This expansive CRPG promises vibrant landscapes and gameplay reminiscent of Skyrim’s vastness, positioning itself as a potential blockbuster exclusive for Xbox and PC.
After multiple delays, Avowed is set to be officially released on February 18. We recently had the opportunity to dive into the game, exploring its prologue and first major region, which lay the groundwork for the narrative and character development. So, what can we expect from Avowed? Will it live up to the hype, or will initial impressions diminish its anticipated success? Here’s our analysis based on the preview.
Unveiling the Divine
Obsidian Entertainment is a name synonymous with quality, having given us classics such as Star Wars KOTOR 2, Fallout: New Vegas, and the beloved Pillars of Eternity series, of which Avowed serves as an unofficial sequel set in the same rich universe of Eora.
In Avowed, you assume the role of a Divine—an intriguing half-Man, half-God character—who arrives in Eora through the intervention of an enigmatic deity. The character creation process is detailed, allowing you to customize various attributes, from facial features to hair. After crafting your character, you’ll select your statistics and traits before embarking on your quest.
Your journey begins as you become the envoy of a powerful kingdom, tasked with investigating the Living Lands, a sprawling world threatened by a soul-corrupting plague known as the ‘Malrêve’. Your adventure kicks off when your ship runs aground on a mysterious island, serving as a tutorial area where you’ll learn the game’s mechanics and choose your specialization among three archetypes: Fighter, Ranger, or Mage. There’s even a Divine skill tree for your unique abilities as a demigod, although we had limited exposure to it during our playthrough.
The tutorial also introduces you to the game’s narrative style, reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate 3, with numerous dialogue options that significantly influence your gameplay experience and character development.
Rich Content and Potential Pitfalls
Avowed showcases a wealth of promising features that enhance the gameplay experience. Both in the prologue and in the expansive Living Lands, players will marvel at the game’s colorful, varied landscapes that invite exploration. While not entirely an open-world title, the game offers an impressive array of areas to discover, collect, and complete quests.
You’ll encounter a diverse cast of characters from various races, each with the potential to join your cause, creating bonds based on your choices. The game is packed with traditional CRPG elements, including an extensive character customization system, a dynamic inventory filled with weapons, potions, and crafting materials, and a diverse bestiary that enriches your journey.
Your character’s growth is influenced by your choices, allowing you to prioritize the main narrative or engage in side quests at your own pace. Avowed promises an abundance of content, ensuring players won’t feel shortchanged.
However, despite its many strengths, Avowed is hindered by significant technical flaws that mar the overall experience. While trailers presented stunning visuals, our preview revealed a disappointing reality.
Technical Challenges in an Ambitious Title
Although the promotional materials showcased beautiful landscapes and smooth gameplay, our experience with the preview version fell short. Even after adjusting settings and utilizing DLSS for better performance, the game struggled to maintain a consistent 30-40 FPS, revealing outdated graphics that detracted from immersion. The initial city, Paradise, unfortunately, showcased a lack of optimization, leading to a frustrating experience.
Graphical bugs and dated technical elements plagued our gameplay. Issues like poor lip-sync and character models that felt reminiscent of older consoles contrasted sharply with the expectations set by the game’s ambitious premise. While the gameplay mechanics are varied, they sometimes feel dated when compared to modern standards.
Avowed presents a tantalizing mix of potential and frustration. It embodies the essence of a modern Skyrim, combined with a compelling narrative akin to Baldur’s Gate 3. However, the technical shortcomings overshadow its promise, leaving players concerned about its final release quality.
In conclusion, Avowed seems poised to deliver an expansive universe filled with engaging narrative choices, character progression, and immersive gameplay. Yet, the technical limitations present a significant barrier that could impede its success. The hope remains that these issues can be addressed before its launch, allowing Avowed to fulfill its potential as a landmark title in the CRPG genre.