Xbox Series X Critic Reviews

That’s what Avowed is: strong storytelling, great combat, lovely visuals, and utterly charming. It’s not going to light everyone’s hair on fire, but that’s fine - because I know for a certain subset of people - refined people of taste, if you ask me - Avowed will enjoy cult classic status. It doesn’t necessarily push the envelope, but nor does it need to. It’s exactly what it needs to be.

Obsidian has created something exceptionally special with Avowed. A smaller-scale Skyrim-like set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, it's an entirely accessible first-person RPG that ditches a lot of obnoxious fluff and doubles down on what makes big role-playing games great. The writing and storytelling is phenomenal, the crunchy combat lets you make a sick build whether you're into swords, axes, guns or spells, and the problems your character faces feel unexpectedly touching and relevant. It's a perfect entry into this genre for new players and the RPG-curious, but top-tier comfort food for us old-heads.

Sure, Avowed has a sense of the familiar in its squad RPG tropes. It draws on a long lineage that stretches from Skyrim to Mass Effect to, more recently, Dragon Age Veilguard. But it playfully weaves its elements into an enthralling fabric that wraps you up and won’t let you go.

Avowed is a game that I didn’t expect to like, let alone love. Yet here I am, happy to be proven so wrong. For RPG fans, 2025 is shaping up to be an all-time great year. For those who’ve missed the feeling that Skyrim once provided, here is your remedy. Avowed is a spectacular adventure epic worth every minute of your time and one of the best roleplaying games ever made.

Avowed is impressive in almost everything it sets out to do. It has sharp writing, captivating companions, an intriguing story and a varied world that is just thrilling to explore. It's visually stunning, too, with high production values including satisfying audio that makes the Living Lands feel bustling with life. Where many games falter in offering "bigger and more", Avowed smartly focuses on its strengths, making for a breezy yet vibrant RPG that feels polished and intelligent, offering lots to do but never outstaying its welcome. Obsidian Entertainment has once again proven they are skilled storytellers, offering a must-play adventure for anyone who has a love for the fantastical.

Avowed marks another triumph for the folks at Obisidan. Through its gorgeous world, memorable characters, frenzied combat, and intuitive yet deep customization system, it highlights player agency. Everywhere in its gameplay and narrative, ensuring that each playthrough offers something new. More importantly, it does so while never compromising the strength of its core story.

Obsidian has once again created a world with an engaging story, unforgettable characters, and gameplay that is both fun and challenging. A videogame that defines the Xbox generation.

With Avowed, Obsidian confirms itself as one of the best RPG studios around, capable of reworking a now-classic formula by rejuvenating it, lightening it up, and combining it with first-rate storytelling, world building, and gameplay mechanics. We are undoubtedly in front of a true gem of the RPG genre, to be played without hesitation.

With Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment once again flaunts its writing chops with a fantasy story that is contemporary in its themes and combat that feels better than most other first-person western RPGs. Whether you've experienced a Pillars of Eternity game before or not, this is a must-play.

Avowed is a strong RPG with its own identity, deep story and impactful choices. The Living Lands invite exploration, but the combat system lacks a bit of finesse. Despite a few flaws, highly recommended for RPG fans.