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Avowed is Obsidian Entertainment’s first-person fantasy action role-playing game (RPG), and in 2026 it’s a much easier recommendation than at launch. It launched on Xbox and Windows in February 2025, and a year later it reached PlayStation 5 (PS5) with a free Anniversary Update that changed the game in meaningful ways. This Avowed review covers what the game is, how combat and exploration hold up, what the post-launch updates added, how the PS5 version performs, and whether it deserves a spot in your library in 2026. This review stays spoiler-free.
Quick verdict: Avowed is a focused, beautifully colorful action RPG with some of the best first-person magic and melee combat in the genre. It isn’t a sprawling Skyrim-style sandbox, and companions and character animations lag behind the combat. With the Anniversary Update’s New Game Plus, new playable species, and a lower $49.99 price, it’s a much easier recommendation now than at launch. Check the Avowed price on Amazon.
Key takeaways
- What it is: A first-person fantasy RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, set in Eora, the world of the Pillars of Eternity games, and built around large handcrafted zones.
- Where to play: Xbox Series X|S, Windows (including Game Pass), and PS5, where it launched on February 17, 2026.
- Price: $49.99 for the Standard Edition and $59.99 for the Premium Edition since a January 2026 price cut. Prices change often.
- Main strength: Flexible, classless builds and some of the best first-person melee and magic combat in the genre.
- Main weaknesses: A predictable main story, weak companion combat artificial intelligence (AI), and stiff facial animations.
Avowed at a glance
| Detail | Avowed |
|---|---|
| Release date | February 18, 2025 (Xbox Series X|S and Windows); February 17, 2026 (PS5) |
| Where to play now | Xbox Series X|S, Windows (Steam, Xbox app, and Game Pass), and PS5 |
| Developer and publisher | Obsidian Entertainment; Xbox Game Studios |
| Game director | Carrie Patel |
| Genre | First-person action RPG (third-person camera optional) |
| Length | About 20 to 25 hours for the story, 30 to 40 hours with side content |
| Rating | Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB): Mature |
| Critic scores | About 80 on Metacritic for the original release; 81 for the PS5 version (as of November 2026) |
| Price | $49.99 Standard, $59.99 Premium Edition (cut from $69.99 and $89.99 in January 2026) |
Sources: Push Square on pricing, MP1st on the Anniversary Update, Pure Xbox, and Spawning Point’s PS5 review.
What is Avowed?
Avowed takes place in Eora, the same world as Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity games, but you don’t need to know that series to follow along. You play an envoy of the Aedyr Empire, a godlike character with unusual features, sent to the Living Lands to investigate the Dreamscourge, a spreading plague that drives its victims mad. The region is a frontier full of rival factions, colonists, and locals, and your choices shape how those groups end up.
Obsidian, the studio behind Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, built Avowed around a series of large, handcrafted zones rather than one seamless open world. That structure keeps the pacing tight and the side quests dense, but players hoping for a Skyrim-sized map may feel boxed in.
Combat: the real star
Almost every major review singles out combat as Avowed’s best feature. You can equip two loadouts and mix weapons freely: a sword and a pistol, a wand and a grimoire, a shield and a mace, or a two-handed greatsword. Spells feel powerful and physical, whether you freeze an enemy solid, then shatter it, or chain lightning through a crowd.
Abilities come from Fighter, Ranger, and Wizard trees, plus a Godlike tree tied to your character’s story. Nothing locks you into a class, so a spellsword or a stealthy archer with frost magic is easy to build. Respecs are cheap, which encourages experimenting. The Anniversary Update added a quarterstaff weapon with stun finishers, new finishers for one- and two-handed weapons, and custom difficulty modifiers that let you tune enemy, player, and companion stats.
Story, choices, and companions
The main quest leans on mystery and politics more than shocks, and several reviewers found its biggest reveals predictable. Where Avowed shines is in its side quests and regional storylines, where your decisions visibly change outcomes in each zone and in the ending slideshow.
You travel with up to two of four companions: Kai, an aumaua fighter and former soldier; Marius, a dwarf ranger; Giatta, a human animancer who fights as a wizard; and Yatzli, an orlan wizard. Each has a personal quest and plenty of camp conversations. Avowed doesn’t include romance options, and companion artificial intelligence (AI) in combat is one of the most common complaints: party members rarely contribute much tactically, so treat their abilities as cooldowns you trigger yourself.
Exploration and side quests
The Living Lands are vivid and varied, from coastal cliffs and jungle to volcanic wastes. Climbing, mantling, and a generous jump make vertical exploration rewarding, and hidden chests, unique weapons, and lore books reward players who poke into every corner. Side quests mostly avoid busywork, and many tie back into the factions you meet in the main story.
What changed since launch: patches and the Anniversary Update
Obsidian supported Avowed through 2025 with patches that fixed bugs and tuned balance, including Update 1.4 in the spring alongside a public roadmap. The roadmap closed with the free Anniversary Update (version 2.0) on February 17, 2026, the same day as the PS5 launch. According to MP1st, it added:
- New Game Plus: Replay with your abilities and enchantments, tougher enemies, and an attribute cap raised from 15 to 30.
- Three new playable species: Dwarves, orlans, and aumaua join humans and elves, each with stat bonuses. A mirror at the party camp lets you change your look and species anytime.
- Background bonuses: Each starting background now grants an attribute bonus.
- Photo Mode, a quarterstaff weapon, respawning encounters in four areas, and lighting improvements.
- Custom difficulty settings for merchant prices, fall damage, trap damage, and more.
If you finished the game before the update, you need to load a save from the point of no return or later and beat the final act again to unlock New Game Plus.
PS5 and Xbox performance
Avowed runs on Unreal Engine 5. On PS5, Spawning Point lists three modes: Quality at 30 frames per second (fps) around 1440p, Balanced at 40fps, and Performance at 60fps around 972p, which looks noticeably softer. Digital Foundry called it an excellent game and a decent port that’s light on PS5 Pro upgrades. The Pro offers no PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaling or extra ray tracing. The DualSense controller adds basic haptics and adaptive trigger resistance on bows. The game takes about 66 gigabytes (GB) of storage on PS5.
A 120 hertz (Hz) television with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) makes the 40fps Balanced mode look smoother. Our guide to the best gaming TVs for PS5 and Xbox covers models that support it.
Sales and critical reception
Critics rated Avowed well. It holds a Metacritic score of about 80 for the original release and 81 for the PS5 version as of November 2026, and Pure Xbox gave it 8/10. Microsoft hasn’t published sales figures. Obsidian’s leadership said it was happy with sales in the months after launch, though Avowed launched on Game Pass, which makes traditional sales comparisons difficult. The January 2026 price cut and the PS5 release gave the game a second wave of attention, and PS5 reviews broadly called it the most polished version yet.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Excellent first-person melee and magic combat
- Flexible, classless character builds
- Vivid, dense zones packed with secrets
- Strong side quests with real consequences
- Anniversary Update adds New Game Plus, species, and Photo Mode
- Lower $49.99 price
Cons
- Predictable main story
- Weak companion combat AI
- Stiff facial animations
- No romance options
- Soft image in PS5 Performance mode, and little PS5 Pro support
Avowed editions and gear to compare
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries Avowed along with the controllers and headsets that make long RPG sessions more comfortable. Prices change often, so check current listings.
Shop related picks on Amazon
| Product | Platform | What you get | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avowed (Standard) | PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Base game with all free updates | Most players | Check price |
| Avowed Premium Edition | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows | Digital artbook, soundtrack, armor sets, and companion skins | Collectors and fans | Check price |
| Xbox Wireless Controller | Xbox, Windows | Standard Xbox gamepad | Xbox and Windows players | Check price |
| DualSense Wireless Controller | PS5 | Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers | PS5 players | Check price |
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 headset | PS5, Xbox, Windows | Wireless gaming headset | Hearing every spell and footstep | Check price |
- Premium Edition: At $59.99, it’s only $10 more than the Standard Edition, and owners can upgrade later for $10. See the Avowed Premium Edition on Amazon.
- Gaming headset: Avowed’s voice acting and spell effects benefit from a good headset, and a wireless model keeps the couch cable-free. Browse wireless gaming headsets on Amazon.
Buying for an RPG fan? Our list of unique gifts for gamers pairs well with a copy of Avowed.
Who should play Avowed?
Play Avowed if you love first-person fantasy combat, flexible builds, and handcrafted zones you can comb for secrets. It’s also a great fit for Pillars of Eternity fans who want to see Eora up close. Skip it if you want a huge seamless open world, deep party tactics, or romance-heavy companion stories in the style of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Frequently asked questions
Is Avowed on PS5?
Yes, Avowed is on PS5. It launched on PS5 on February 17, 2026, with the Anniversary Update included.
Is Avowed on Game Pass?
Yes, Avowed is on Game Pass. It’s available through Xbox Game Pass on Xbox and Windows. Game Pass doesn’t extend to PlayStation, so PS5 players need to buy it.
Can you romance companions in Avowed?
No, you can’t romance companions in Avowed. The game doesn’t include romance options, though companions have personal quests and react to your choices.
How long is Avowed?
Avowed takes about 20 to 25 hours to finish the main story and 30 to 40 hours if you do most side content. Completionists can spend 40 to 50 hours.
Final verdict
Avowed launched as a very good RPG with standout combat and a few rough edges. A year of patches, the Anniversary Update, and a $20 price cut have made it a better value and a more complete game. Its story and companions won’t dethrone genre giants, but few first-person RPGs feel this good in a fight. If you skipped it at launch, now is the time to visit the Living Lands. Check the current Avowed price on Amazon.