With Avowed's review embargo set to lift soon, fans of Obsidian Entertainment's latest RPG are eagerly anticipating what critics will have to say about this ambitious title. Having spent considerable time with preview builds and analyzing early gameplay impressions, we can offer some insights into what players might expect when the Avowed review embargo finally ends.
Obsidian's journey with Avowed has been fascinating to follow since its initial announcement. The pre-rendered cinematic initially generated substantial hype, though the first gameplay reveal left many feeling skeptical. Now, as we approach the review embargo date, the community seems cautiously optimistic - and with good reason. Obsidian's track record speaks for itself, with classics like Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds demonstrating their RPG expertise.
Exploration and World Design
One of the most impressive aspects of Avowed is its approach to world design. Unlike a completely open-world game, Avowed features multiple large, explorable areas that players can travel between - similar to the structure seen in Pillars of Eternity, the universe in which Avowed is set.
The Dawnshore area alone offers approximately 6-10 hours of exploration, depending on your playstyle and difficulty setting. This substantial area features ancient ruins, dungeons with their own maps, overgrown buildings, and numerous hidden paths to discover. The layout encourages vertical exploration, with players climbing structures and seeking out hidden chests that contain valuable loot.
While some early players found the sheer quantity of lootable containers overwhelming, the exploration mechanics themselves have been praised for encouraging thorough investigation of the game's world. The combination of open-area exploration with more focused, linear story progression creates a satisfying gameplay loop that balances freedom with narrative direction.
Combat and Character Customization
Avowed's combat system has evolved significantly since early previews. The game offers three main ability trees - Fighter, Ranger, and Wizard - with players able to mix and match skills to create hybrid builds.
What's particularly interesting about Avowed's combat is how essential the Wizard spells are to creating dynamic encounters. Players focusing solely on Fighter or Ranger abilities might find combat repetitive, but introducing spellcasting dramatically changes the experience. This encourages hybrid builds like Fighter/Wizard or Ranger/Wizard rather than pure martial characters.
Itemization also plays a crucial role in combat effectiveness. Special weapons and armor with unique effects - like poisoning enemies on critical hits - can dramatically alter your combat approach and allow players to take on challenges well above their level with the right gear combination.
Companions and Relationships
Companions in Avowed take a streamlined approach compared to Pillars of Eternity. Characters like Kai (voiced by Brandon Keener, known for Garrus from Mass Effect) will accompany you on your journey, but with some limitations. They can fall in combat and be revived, but you cannot outfit them with gear or speak with them outside of camp settings.
While this represents a simplification from Obsidian's previous titles, the companion interactions that do exist are meaningful. The dialogue options throughout the game are extensive, with your character's background and stats unlocking unique conversation choices that can dramatically alter quest outcomes.
What to Expect When the Avowed Review Embargo Lifts
Based on early impressions and Obsidian's development history, we can make some predictions about what critics might focus on when the Avowed review embargo ends.
The game will likely receive praise for:
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Rich, detailed world design with rewarding exploration
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Flexible character building that supports multiple playstyles
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Strong writing and meaningful player choice
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Improved combat over early preview builds
Potential criticisms might include:
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The streamlined companion system compared to previous Obsidian titles
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Combat that feels repetitive without investing in Wizard abilities
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Art style choices that may not appeal to all players
Looking at Obsidian's previous releases, The Outer Worlds achieved a Metacritic score of 85, while Fallout: New Vegas landed at 84. The Pillars of Eternity games scored 89 and 88 respectively. If early impressions hold true, Avowed could potentially land somewhere in the 80-88 range when the review embargo lifts.
As we await the end of the Avowed review embargo, one thing is certain - Obsidian has created another deep, story-driven RPG that will give players dozens of hours of exploration, combat, and meaningful choices. Whether it will match the studio's highest-rated titles remains to be seen, but fans of immersive RPGs have much to look forward to when reviews finally arrive.
For those planning to play on Game Pass, the value proposition is particularly strong, regardless of critical reception. And with Microsoft treating this as a major exclusive (not currently announced for PlayStation platforms), Avowed represents an important release for Xbox's first-party lineup in 2025.