Avowed — Obsidian Entertainment’s Newest RPG

Avowed is a first-person action role-playing video game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. Set in the fantasy world of Eora, the game shares its universe with Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity series, but delivers a new story, perspective, and combat experience.

Overview

Genre: Action role-playing

Developer: Obsidian Entertainment

Publisher: Xbox Game Studios

Platforms: Windows, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5

Engine: Unreal Engine 5

Mode: Single-player

Director: Carrie Patel

Artist: Matt Hansen

Composer: Venus Theory

Setting: World of Eora (Pillars of Eternity universe)

Avowed launched worldwide for Windows and Xbox Series X|S on February 18, 2025, and later released for PlayStation 5 on February 17, 2026.

Gameplay

Avowed is primarily played from a first-person viewpoint, with players able to switch to third-person at various times.

Combat

The game features a versatile combat system combining:

Melee weapons like swords and axes

Magic spells (e.g., freezing, entangling enemies)

Firearms and ranged options

Players can mix and match weapons and spells, quickly switch between combat styles, and unlock abilities across multiple skill trees.

Exploration and World

Rather than a fully open world, Avowed offers large, interconnected explorable zones with varied terrain including forests, deserts, caves, and ruins.

Dialogue and Choices

Interactions with NPCs involve dialogue choices that affect companion relationships and story outcomes, though the game does not include a romance system.

Plot

The story takes place in the Living Lands, a diverse and volatile region of Eora. Players assume the role of an Envoy from the Aedyr Empire, tasked with investigating a mysterious plague known as the Dream Scourge.

Upon reaching the port city of Paradis, conflict between imperial forces, local inhabitants, and the militant religious group the Steel Garrote erupts. After the Envoy is killed and miraculously resurrected by a mysterious deity, they become embroiled in the struggle for control, seeking answers about the Dream Scourge and the fate of the Living Lands.

As the journey continues, the Envoy travels to the Emerald Stair, a region using controversial soul-manipulating magic called Animancy for food production. Political tensions and environmental disasters escalate, leading to a climactic conflict involving divine beings like Sapadal and choices that determine the region’s fate and alliances.

Development

Development began in 2018, originally envisioned as an online multiplayer game. After Microsoft acquired Obsidian Entertainment in 2018, the project shifted focus to a single-player narrative experience under director Carrie Patel.

The game was first revealed in July 2020 and underwent substantial redesigns, including adopting the Pillars of Eternity world and replacing its planned open world with structured zones. Initially set for 2024, Avowed was delayed and ultimately launched in February 2025, with a PlayStation 5 edition following in early 2026.

Reception

Avowed received generally favorable reviews from critics. It holds positive aggregate scores on major review aggregators such as Metacritic and OpenCritic, with praise focused on its combat, worldbuilding, and narrative depth. The game was nominated for Best Role-Playing Game at The Game Awards 2025 and earned recognition for its writing and design.

Legacy and Updates

Following its original launch, Avowed has continued to evolve with updates and expanded features. The PlayStation 5 release in February 2026 coincided with a major anniversary update introducing new content and improvements that reflect ongoing support from Obsidian.

Themes and Design Philosophy

A central theme of Avowed is the tension between faith, power, and personal agency. Drawing heavily from the philosophical foundations established in Pillars of Eternity, the game explores how divine influence affects mortal societies and individual choice. Obsidian Entertainment emphasized player freedom, allowing moral ambiguity rather than clear-cut good or evil paths.

The developers intentionally avoided a fully open-world structure to focus on denser storytelling, handcrafted encounters, and meaningful exploration. Each region of the Living Lands reflects different political struggles and environmental consequences tied to the use of magic and imperial control. This design approach reinforces Obsidian’s reputation for narrative-driven role-playing experiences.