Obsidian Entertainment's highly anticipated fantasy RPG, Avowed, launched on February 18, 2025, and has largely been welcomed with positive reviews from both players and critics. This warm reception comes despite a significant pre-launch backlash that targeted the game, among others, with accusations of so-called 'wokeness'. However, a new and persistent critique has emerged post-launch, centered on relentless comparisons to Bethesda's 2011 classic, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. A vocal segment of the online gaming community has repeatedly argued that Skyrim offers superior gameplay and visuals, sparking frustration among Avowed's dedicated fanbase who are now pushing back, asserting that the two titles are fundamentally different experiences that need not be pitted against one another.
The debate has ignited across forums, with many Avowed players expressing fatigue over the constant juxtaposition. They argue that Avowed was never designed to be a "Skyrim 2.0" and should be evaluated on its own merits. A prominent Reddit user, xdarkwombatx, exemplified this sentiment by compiling a detailed list of features present in Skyrim but absent in Avowed. The key takeaway, however, was not a critique but a defense: "Obsidian understood the homework assignment here. While some of those things are nice, you don't need them to make a good game," they wrote, highlighting that a game's quality isn't solely defined by a checklist of mechanics from other titles.
This perspective is widely echoed. Another user, cnio14, made a plea for pluralistic enjoyment in a separate post: "Here's a crazy idea. You can like KCD2 [Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2], BG3 [Baldur's Gate 3], Skyrim and Avowed at the same time. Let's stop comparing Apples, Oranges and Bananas. Let's enjoy all the good games for what they are." This call for appreciating diverse RPG experiences has resonated with many who feel the gaming discourse often defaults to reductive, head-to-head matchups.
🔍 Core Differences in Design Philosophy
At the heart of the defense is a clarification of Avowed's intended design. Commenters frequently note that Obsidian's project diverges significantly from the open-world, sandbox immersion of Skyrim. User jf8350143 pointedly stated, "Avowed was never intended to be an immersive sim style game. Yet people seem hell-bent on believing it should be one and that there is no other kind of RPG out there." This highlights a fundamental misunderstanding; Avowed leans more into a focused, narrative-driven experience with curated zones, reminiscent of Obsidian's past work like Pillars of Eternity, rather than attempting to replicate Bethesda's vast, systemic open-world approach.
Key Distinctions Between Avowed and Skyrim:
| Feature | Avowed (2025) | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) |
|---|---|---|
| World Structure | Curated, zone-based exploration | Seamless, fully open world |
| Narrative Focus | Strong, central storyline with party members | Emergent, player-driven stories |
| Combat Style | Real-time, spell-slinging & melee focused | Real-time with extensive stealth & archery |
| Character Progression | Class-influenced, ability-focused | Completely classless, skill-based |
| Development DNA | Obsidian's narrative & dialogue strength | Bethesda's environmental storytelling & simulation |
Despite the online friction, the comparative criticism does not appear to have significantly dampened the game's commercial performance. Obsidian has publicly stated it is "happy" with Avowed's sales figures as of early 2026, though specific numbers remain undisclosed. The game's inclusion in the Game Pass subscription service from day one complicates traditional sales metrics but indicates strong engagement and accessibility, ensuring a large player base could experience it without the upfront purchase barrier.
✨ Celebrating a New RPG Pillar
Fans argue that the gaming landscape in 2026 is rich enough to support varied RPG formats. They posit that Avowed succeeds by delivering a polished, story-rich adventure with reactive dialogue and meaningful choices—hallmarks of Obsidian's pedigree—rather than by copying a 15-year-old blueprint. The constant references to Skyrim, they suggest, overshadow Avowed's own achievements in world-building, combat fluidity, and companion depth.
Ultimately, the community's response is a push for more nuanced criticism. It's a reminder that games can be successful in different lanes; the depth of a Baldur's Gate 3, the historical immersion of a Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, the boundless freedom of Skyrim, and the focused fantasy of Avowed can all coexist and thrive. The prevailing sentiment among defenders is one of gratitude for a well-crafted new entry in the genre, urging others to see it not as a challenger to a throne, but as a worthy addition to the RPG pantheon in its own right. The discourse itself underscores the passionate and diverse expectations within the RPG player base, a testament to the genre's vibrant and evolving state in the current gaming era.