A World of Magic, Mystery, and… Bears?

Obsidian Entertainment has built a legendary reputation with games like Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity. Avowed promised to be their next big RPG, a first-person adventure set in the world of Eora. But does it deliver on that promise? Let’s break it down using our KHI Score to see where Avowed succeeds and where it stumbles.

Avowed’s Story – What’s It About? (No Spoilers!)

Set in the Living Lands, an uncharted and mysterious region in Eora, you play as an envoy from the Aedyr Empire sent to investigate a strange plague known as the Dream Scourge. As you uncover its secrets, you’ll navigate warring factions, dark magic, and political intrigue, shaping the world with your choices.

It’s an Obsidian RPG through and through—but does it do enough to stand out?

KHI Score Breakdown: Strengths & Weaknesses

🎮 Gameplay – 6.9/10 (35%)

The core gameplay mechanics are solid, but Avowed doesn’t quite reach the depth of past Obsidian RPGs.

✔ Dynamic combat – You can mix melee, magic, and ranged weapons, adapting your playstyle in real time.
✔ Great spellcasting system – Magic feels weighty and impactful, with different spell combinations making combat more engaging.
❌ Enemy AI is weak – Some encounters feel too easy due to predictable enemy behavior.
❌ Limited weapon variety – While combat is fun, the selection of weapons and skills isn’t as vast as expected.

💬 Verdict: Fun and accessible, but hardcore RPG fans might find the mechanics a bit simplified.

🎨 Graphics & Art – 7/10 (20%)

Avowed has a stylized fantasy look, but it’s not a graphical powerhouse.

✔ Beautiful environments – The Living Lands are visually distinct and colorful.
✔ Great lighting effects – Weather and day/night cycles add atmosphere.
❌ Character models can feel dated – NPC animations are sometimes stiff.
❌ Technical performance issues – Occasional pop-ins and texture glitches.

💬 Verdict: A visually appealing RPG, but don’t expect photorealism like some AAA games. A visually appealing world that could’ve used more polish.

📖 Story & Writing – 7.5/10 (15%)

This is where Obsidian shines, though Avowed doesn’t quite match their best work.

✔ Interesting main quest – The Dream Scourge mystery keeps you engaged.
✔ Decent role-playing choices – Your decisions impact the world in meaningful ways.
❌ Some side quests are forgettable – Not every mission feels unique or important.

💬 Verdict: A well-written story with strong lore, but it doesn’t hit the highs of New Vegas or Pillars of Eternity.

🎵 Sound & Music – 7.5/10 (10%)

✔ Epic orchestral soundtrack – Adds to the grand fantasy atmosphere.
✔ Good voice acting – Characters are brought to life well.
❌ Combat sounds could be better – Some attacks lack impact.

💬 Verdict: Great sound design, but not as memorable as the best RPG soundtracks.

💰 Content & Value – 7/10 (10%)

✔ 30-40 hours of content – A decent length for a single-player RPG.
✔ No microtransactions – A big plus in today’s gaming world.
❌ Not as replayable as expected – The world is somewhat linear compared to open-world RPGs.
❌ Not as long as you think – Some players reported being able to rush the story and finish the game in 20 hours or less.

💬 Verdict: A solid amount of content, but not quite on the level of Skyrim or The Witcher 3.

✨ Innovation & Impact – 6.5/10 (10%)

✔ Expands the world of Eora – Pillars of Eternity fans will enjoy the lore connections.
✔ More accessible than previous Obsidian RPGs – Good for newcomers.
❌ Doesn’t feel groundbreaking – It follows familiar RPG formulas without much innovation.

💬 Verdict: A good RPG, but not a revolutionary one.

Final KHI Score: 70.5%

🎮 User Perception Bonus (+4) → Final Score: 74.5%

Avowed is a solid RPG with strong storytelling, fun combat, and a well-built world. However, a lack of deep RPG mechanics, weak AI, and technical flaws keep it from being truly great.

✅ Recommended for fans of Obsidian RPGs, Skyrim-like adventures, and rich lore-driven worlds.
⚠️ If you’re looking for deep RPG mechanics, you might find it lacking.

Final Verdict: Should You Play Avowed?

Final Verdict: Should You Play Avowed?

Avowed is a good, but not exceptional, RPG. It delivers a strong narrative, immersive setting, and fun magic-based combat, but doesn’t push the genre forward. If you’re an Obsidian fan or love fantasy RPGs, it’s worth playing—just don’t expect the next Skyrim.

What do you think? Did Avowed live up to expectations? Let us know in the comments!