After three hours, Avowed still shows no sign of a killer hook to call its own, but this fizzy RPG cocktail is plenty enjoyable all the same

Avowed lacks a standout hook but is a compelling RPG with diverse ideas.

: Avowed, developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios, offers a compelling mix of familiar mechanics without a standout element. Set in the world of Eora from Pillars of Eternity, players become the Emperor of Aedyr's envoy exploring The Living Lands. It excites with diverse class systems and fluid gameplay, though lacking surprises and challenges. The game's narrative strength and variety in gameplay offer promise as it releases on February 18, 2025.

Avowed is Obsidian Entertainment's latest fantasy RPG, unveiled through a gameplay experience that cleverly mixes elements from renowned titles like Mirror's Edge, Dishonored, and Mass Effect. Although it lacks a distinctive feature or standout 'hook', the game provides an engaging exploration within the Pillars of Eternity universe, particularly focusing on The Living Lands.

The player assumes the role of an envoy dispatched to investigate the mysterious dreamscourge epidemic. While the game does not boast seamless exploration, the regional design compensates with varied biomes, fluid movement resembling parkour, and engaging open-class roleplaying mechanisms that include melee, ranged combat, and magic systems.

Narratively, Avowed presents a more grounded tone compared to The Outer Worlds. It offers a slew of dialogue options, although it's unclear how player choices deeply impact the storyline. Despite minor concerns about the combat's difficulty level and the potential lack of groundbreaking originality, the game's diverse gameplay and character interactions hold considerable appeal.