I'll admit it: when Avowed was first revealed back in 2020, I was one of those people who thought Obsidian was making their own version of Skyrim. A massive open-world epic. But as we now know, that's not what Avowed is. And after spending a good chunk of time with the game—first in a beta build and now with the full release in 2025—I can say that the more focused approach is exactly what makes it special. It's 2026, and I'm still thinking about my adventures in the Living Lands. Here's why.

Character Creation and Backstory

Avowed starts like most modern RPGs: with a character creator. And true to form, you get a ton of options. I spent way too long tweaking my character's appearance, but the real meat is in the backstory choices. I picked the War Hero background, which gave me unique dialogue options right from the start. It felt like the game was actually paying attention to who I said I was, and that's a hallmark of Obsidian's design. It's like they handed me a key to a door I didn't even know existed, and every conversation had a hidden lock waiting to be turned.

Combat That Surprises

Once I got through the tutorial dungeon, I was equipped with healing potions, armor, a spear, a bow, and a spellbook. That's when the combat clicked for me. You can have two weapon sets equipped and switch between them on the fly, which adds a layer of tactical depth. You have to decide what goes in each hand—spellbook and spear? No shield, so blocking becomes harder. Managing stamina, building stagger bars, and picking the right tool for each enemy is crucial. There's even stealth, letting you ambush foes from tall grass.

I expected the combat to be serviceable, but it's actually punchy and fun. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it does what it does extremely well. It's like a game of rock-paper-scissors where you can switch your choice mid-throw—chaotic, strategic, and deeply satisfying.

Choices That Matter

Obsidian is known for player choice, and Avowed delivers. In the tutorial dungeon, I met a prisoner named Ilora. My companion Garryck warned me against freeing her, but I did it anyway. Finding the key and bringing her along meant I had extra help in the final boss fight. I have no idea what consequences that choice will have later, but that's the point. It's like planting a seed in a garden you'll only see bloom seasons later—you trust that the roots are growing, even if you can't see them yet.

Companions and World

Outside the tutorial, I was joined by Kai, a fish-like man with his own personality, goals, and useful combat abilities. You can call on companions mid-fight for an edge, and chat with them at camp to learn more about them. There's no romance, which is a bummer, but I still grew attached to Kai. He's the kind of guy you want watching your back.

The world opens up into a large zone that you can explore at will. It's not a full open world, but it scratches the itch. I found a small town with a side quest that led me to a cabin full of enemies and a surprising twist. It set the tone that side quests are worth doing.

Story and Mystery

The main quest revolves around the Dream Scourge, a plague that infects creatures and people with strange fungi and leaves you hearing a mysterious voice. I didn't learn much in my time with the game, but the mystery is intriguing. Some conversations are long-winded and info-dumpy, but the groundwork is solid. Eventually, I reached the city of Paradis, where I immediately got shot in the gut with an arrow. Talk about a cliffhanger.

Final Thoughts

I went into Avowed skeptical, but now it's one of my favorite RPGs of the last few years. The focused design, the punchy combat, the meaningful choices—it all comes together. If the rest of the game is as fun as those early hours, Obsidian fans are in for a treat. And now that it's 2026, I can confirm: it absolutely was. If you're looking for a deep, choice-driven RPG that respects your time, give Avowed a shot. It's like a well-crafted short story that leaves you thinking long after you've turned the last page.