Avowed, the first-person fantasy RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, has carved out its own corner of Eora since launching on February 18, 2025. By 2026, it stands as a strong example of how modern AAA console games try to please different types of players. On Xbox Series X, that means a trio of performance modes, each one tugging the game’s visual engine toward a different goal: pure atmospheric detail, a balanced compromise, or silky movement.
During a conversation with Last Man Media, game director Carrie Patel laid out the three settings. Quality, Balanced, and Performance are designed to make the most of Microsoft’s more powerful console.
| Mode | Visual approach | Target frame rate |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Highest graphical fidelity, richest lighting and textures | 30 fps |
| Balanced | A mix of visual polish and smoother motion | 40 fps on 120Hz displays |
| Performance | Reduced visual load for faster response | 60 fps |
The Quality option leans all the way into atmosphere. It allows the game to show off its most detailed environments, character models, and lighting effects, but it does so by keeping the frame rate at a steady 30fps. For players who treat Eora like a painting they want to walk through, this is the mode that preserves every flourish.
The Balanced option is particularly clever for a console audience. It doesn’t chase the same fluidity as Performance mode, but on a 120Hz television it can settle at 40fps, which feels noticeably more pleasing than a 30fps lock. Patel described it in straightforward terms: "We're going to have Performance mode and Balanced mode, which is sort of in between Quality and Performance for players who have 120hz TVs."
For plenty of players, the whole debate comes down to one question: what makes a game feel better in the hands? A smooth 60fps presentation can make sword swings, spell casts, and dodges feel immediate. Since Avowed is a first-person action-RPG, that responsiveness can be a genuine advantage in combat. It’s a no-brainer for anyone who values reaction speed over ornament.
Frame-rate preference is deeply personal, and Avowed’s menu respects that. Some players find a locked 30fps perfectly fine when the presentation is filled with rich shadows and glowing animancy effects. Others cannot unsee the difference once they have experienced 60fps combat. Balanced mode tries to split the difference for those with high-refresh screens, which makes it a welcome option for living-room setups in 2026.
The Xbox Series S is a slightly different story. Because that console carries less graphical horsepower than its bigger sibling, the full suite of performance modes is tied to the Xbox Series X. Players on Series S still get access to Avowed, but they have a more limited set of choices when it comes to balancing visuals and frame rate.
Beyond the technical menus, Avowed is a narrative-heavy action-RPG set in the same universe as Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity. The game is set in Eora, a world where choices carve a path through war, intrigue, and ancient mysteries. Players navigate a land in turmoil, forge powerful alliances or deadly rivalries, and wield magic and steel to shape the fate of the Living Lands and their own destiny.
Side quests are part of the package, as they are in most action-RPGs. Obsidian has been careful to avoid content that feels like filler, promising there are no "copy/paste experiences" between the main quest and side missions. That approach gives the world a bit more texture, encouraging players to wander off the critical path without feeling punished.
The game’s first-person perspective means the camera swings with each melee strike and spell cast. In that context, higher frame rates are more than a luxury; they help keep the action readable when enemies close in. The extra responsiveness makes dodging and blocking feel more direct, especially during chaotic encounters.
As of 2026, Avowed remains available on PC and Xbox Series X|S, and it was a day-one Game Pass title when it launched in February 2025. For anyone still deciding whether to prioritize pixels or frames, the game’s three-mode setup on Xbox Series X means there is no need to settle for a single experience. Visual purists can soak in the details, while frame-rate fans can keep things fast and fluid. The extra frames are hard to pass up, especially when the Living Lands are waiting.