Let me tell you, diving into Avowed felt like watching a master chef decide to open a food truck. Obsidian Entertainment, these folks practically have RPGs in their DNA, right? So when they announced Avowed, their first-ever first-person fantasy RPG—you know, stepping into the arena made famous by giants like The Elder Scrolls—I, along with everyone else, was equal parts excited and... well, let's just say cautiously optimistic. The five-day "advanced access" for the premium edition crowd? It was like the soft opening of a restaurant where the first reviews were, shall we say, a bit spicy. Chatter about the role-playing elements being a bit thin started doing the rounds online, and the vibe got a little frosty.
But here's the plot twist, folks. When the full game dropped on February 18, 2026, the critics absolutely loved it. I mean, we're talking an 82 average on OpenCritic. That's a certified hit! And the players? They weren't having any of the influencer doom and gloom either. Steam reviews shot up to "Very Positive" on day one and have stubbornly stayed there. It's like the game looked at the early noise, shrugged, and said, "Hold my health potion."
The Numbers Don't Lie: A Stealthy Commercial Slam Dunk 🎯
Now, for the really juicy part. Despite being available day-one on Game Pass (which, let's be honest, usually puts a dent in Steam numbers), Avowed pulled in over 17,000 concurrent players on Steam at its launch peak. That's no small feat! To put that in perspective:
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That's about 5,000 more players than Indiana Jones and the Great Circle managed at its peak, another big Game Pass title.
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It's knocking on the door of The Outer Worlds (20,300 peak), which is one of Obsidian's own biggest success stories.
And get this—according to some sharp-eyed folks on Reddit, Avowed briefly became the best-selling game on Steam in the U.S. at launch. It was outselling pre-orders for the highly anticipated Monster Hunter Wilds and even full purchases of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. I mean, come on! That's the kind of launch-day energy that makes publishers do a little happy dance.
Why This Success is a Really Big Deal 🤔
Let's break down why this matters so much for Obsidian in 2026.
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Game Pass Factor: A huge chunk of players are experiencing Avowed through the subscription. Those 17,000 Steam players are just the tip of the iceberg. The real player count across Xbox and PC Game Pass is undoubtedly massive, but it's the kind of number we just don't get to see.
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Proving Their Range: This was Obsidian's first swing at this specific genre. A commercial and critical win here proves they can adapt their deep RPG chops to a new perspective and style. It's a major feather in their cap.
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Long-Term Tail: RPGs like this aren't one-week wonders. They have legs! Sales will keep trickling in for months, especially with potential DLC or updates. This launch is just the opening chapter of its commercial story.
Obsidian in 2026: A Studio on Fire 🔥
Honestly, stepping back and looking at Obsidian's recent run is kind of mind-blowing. Here's their pace over the last few years:
| Game | Release Window | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Grounded | 2024 | Survival hit that kept growing |
| Pentiment | 2024 | Critical darling, niche masterpiece |
| Avowed | 2026 | First-person fantasy RPG breakthrough |
| The Outer Worlds 2 | Late 2026? | Highly anticipated sequel on the horizon |
Six games in four years? In today's development climate, that's... well, it's almost unheard of. It's like they're operating on a different timeline. And with the success of Avowed under their belt, all eyes are now on The Outer Worlds 2, which got a shiny new trailer at last year's Game Awards. The hype train for that one is leaving the station, and after Avowed's performance, people are buying first-class tickets.
So, what's the final verdict from where I'm sitting? Avowed's journey from advanced-access skepticism to launch-day champion is a classic tale of a game speaking for itself. It reminded everyone that Obsidian isn't just a studio that makes great RPGs; they're a studio that can evolve. They took a risk, entered a crowded space, and stuck the landing. In 2026, that's something worth celebrating. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some more of the Living Lands to explore... and maybe keep an eye on those Steam charts for The Outer Worlds 2 pre-orders. Just saying.