Hands-on preview: Avowed is a fantasy wonder that finally got me into the RPG genre

I’ve always been relatively hesitant when it comes to the RPG world. It could be because of my indulgence in the simple pleasures of cozy games or linear-heavy storylines. Or maybe I get too overwhelmed whenever my inventory gets overloaded with all the useless things I’ve picked up.

This uncertainty arose once again when I first began the adventures of Avowed, a first-person RPG in the same universe as Obsidian Entertainment’s hit title, Pillars of Eternity. Even though I’ve never quite mastered the art of roleplaying games, nor have I ever played PoE, it didn’t take long for me to get fully immersed in Avowed’s world. It makes you feel like you’re stepping into a classic fairytale book where you wield a myriad of powers in the palm of your hands.

As an envoy sent by the Aedyran emperor, you’re tasked with stopping the deadly Dreamscourge plague that’s taking over the Living Lands. Its corruption spreads throughout the realm, causing people and animals to turn into Dreamthralls, a destructive state in which their souls are no longer theirs. Fortunately, you have the powers of a Godlike at your side, giving you divine abilities that can halt the Dreamscrourge.

Initially, I was worried that I wouldn’t understand Avowed’s lore, as it has some correlation to Pillars of Eternity. But from what I gather, Avowed is a standalone title, so there’s no need to jam-pack yourself with PoE knowledge. What’s more, there’s a handy Dialogue History & Lore feature that explains any vague terms the game throws at you.

Gameplay-wise, Avowed opens with a standard character creation that works like any other RPG. You can change general stuff like body type, hair, and background. However, the Godlike facial features set it apart from other roleplaying games. You’ll be able to use its unique visuals to give your character a traditional fantasy look. It’ll typically appear as a colorful fungi, creating distinct designs on your face. I know something like fungi doesn’t sound the most visually pleasing, especially if you’ve seen The Last of Us’ Clickers, but it’s actually quite pretty to look at with its vibrant colors.

There isn’t much to Avowed’s character creation besides the Godlike facial features. It’s pretty limited to various origins and races, restricting you to human and elf races. Nevertheless, your choices here are still crucial, specifically with Backgrounds and Attributes, as they can determine your dialogue selection later. For instance, I took on the Arcane Scholar Background, which gave me a bunch of knowledgeable and witty talking points. The Attributes, including Might, Dexterity, and Intellect, can also influence your conversations with other characters.

Since it’s still a preview build, the choices weren’t too abundant this time around. But I have a feeling decisions and character creation will be much more apparent with Avowed’s full release. On the contrary, what does feel pretty fleshed out is the game’s combat and exploration. Combat, especially, was the first thing that drew me in. I love diversity when it comes to weaponry and other tools, and luckily, Avowed excelled in this aspect.

You’re not subjected to a single artillery; you have the freedom to wield any type of weapon at any given time. On one hand, you can have a grimoire, while the other holds a mighty spear. Most RPGs I’ve played would have restricted something like this, where they typically limit you to one playstyle. Yet, Avowed blends any two elements you desire for a more personalized experience. I particularly enjoyed having both magic and sword fighting at my disposal, a concept I always wished for to inflict both long and close-range strikes. Plenty of other options exist as well, such as bows and arrows, swords, hammers, and many more.

You’ll also get help from your companions, who will assist you with various tasks on and off the battlefield. Sometimes, companions aren’t the most compliant when it comes to games, but Avowed’s characters prove their worth more than enough times. They can take down enemies and clear any obstructions throughout your journey. Plus, they are entertaining to hang around with, given that they will make snarky remarks to those who wrong you and commend your efforts in battle.

In a visual sense, Avowed’s combat just looks fantastic. The first-person view puts you in the front seat, upping the thrill of eliminating the most fearsome creatures. I had fun using the pyro magic ability, spouting a beam of fire that made me feel like I was some Dragon Ball Z character unleashing an attack. However, considering that it is an early playthrough of the game, some parts appeared fuzzy and blurry, making some objects hard to see. The graphics primarily took a hit with its background, often showing low-quality structures.

The cutscenes, on the other hand, were the most detailed and aesthetically pleasing. I can tell a lot of time went into these scenes, featuring some of the most realistic pieces of work I’ve seen in a game. I’m excited to see it grow with Avowed’s official release, which hopefully polishes up the fuzziness of its background.

All in all, Avowed has the potential to be the standout RPG of 2025. Its accessible mechanics make it a welcoming experience for newcomers to the genre, while its diverse combat tactics provide a satisfying challenge. In just a few hours, I found myself lost in its expansive world, filled with a variety of activities. I was left feeling empty inside by the end of the preview, just because I wanted to play more.

Avowed gave me the same sense of wonder and excitement that I felt when I first played the 2023 Game Awards winner, Baldur’s Gate 3. Both titles have that classic RPG charm that truly immerses you in their stories and worlds, inspiring me to want to try out others in this genre. So, if you’ve been searching for a game that can fill the void left by BG3, I can confidently recommend Avowed.

Get ready for the launch of Avowed on Feb. 18, 2025. It will be available on PC and Xbox Series X|S platforms. Those with the Xbox Game Pass can dive into the game on Day One through the Ultimate or PC GP. Pre-orders are already open for all platforms, offering a Standard Edition for $69.99 or a Premium version for $89.99. The anticipation for this game is palpable, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.