Avowed Review – Infinite Potential, Limited Execution

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In the realm of video games, the term “immersion” seems to have gradually lost its substance. Statements like a game making you “feel” like you’re the character it presents can ring false because immersion ought to be the standard, not an exception. Each game should transport you into a vast and engaging storyline. Even in games where you craft your own character rather than play as one, they should make you feel as if you are embodying your persona within a world that transcends your imagination’s limits.

Role-playing games (RPGs) excel at creating an immersive experience. Be it a game where you assume the role of a pre-made character, or one where you craft your own character and influence their narrative, this sense of immersion is what players anticipate. In recent years, both formats have proven their worth and are recognized as some of gaming’s finest, like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Baldur’s Gate 3. And let’s not forget about Obsidian Entertainment.

The studio is renowned for creating some of the best role-playing games ever made: Fallout New Vegas and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II. Recently, this studio has transformed its approach by producing games similar to The Outer Worlds. This transition brings us to their latest game: Avowed. As I delved into this fantasy epic, I had several queries: How does it compare with other titles in the genre? Also, why has there been little discussion about this game since its release in February? After spending nineteen hours playing, I must confess that my expectations were not met.

Worldbuilding Without Substance

For an RPG to thrive in its storytelling aspect, it should strike a balance. It needs to weave a universe rich with history and enigmas, yet populate it with personalities that are captivating enough to interact dynamically with this setting. If the emphasis is solely on world-building without developing intriguing characters, the world may appear dull, and conversely, if characters are given more attention than the world itself, the story can lack depth.

A standout example for me is the game called New Vegas, where even in its desolate wasteland environment, the Mojave Desert seems vibrant. Remarkably, the characters are so captivating that exploring this world never becomes monotonous. However, the storyline of Avowed falls short in creating a tale that feels impactful or significant.

The adventure starts by allowing you to develop your character: an emissary dispatched by the emperor to discover a remedy for a horrific new affliction called the Dreamscourge. Your emissary, or Envoy, exhibits divine characteristics, as they bear a physical impairment reflecting their patron deity. At the onset of the game, though, you’re unaware which deity has chosen you, as your unique plant-like features are unlike anything ever witnessed before.

As I traverse the enigmatic expanse known as the Living Lands, I can’t help but unravel the secrets behind the ominous pestilence that’s been haunting these lands, and in doing so, maybe find answers about my own past. Along the way, I’ll meet and team up with four intriguing companions – Kai, Marius, Giatta, and Yatzli. These encounters will shed light on the complex power struggles that the Empire has instigated across the globe.

The concept of navigating my second-class status within the Empire and being shunned by other kingdoms is both intriguing and poignant. However, the game sometimes fails to fully capitalize on this rich potential.

Initially, it’s important to note that the process of crafting characters isn’t particularly effective. More often than not, the characters you attempt to create appear awkward, and this is far from desirable. Their chins are distorted, their eyes are misaligned, and even with numerous customization options, I never found the settings to be impactful in creating a character that I could take pride in.

Additionally, while having the option to customize your character’s backstory seemed intriguing at first, I soon realized that it didn’t impact the overall plot or majority of interactions between the player character and other characters. Similarly, distributing stats such as Might, Constitution, Dexterity, etc., didn’t seem to make a significant difference in the gameplay experience.

Conversely, one aspect I appreciated was Avowed’s distinctive method of world-creation. Often, characters would casually use terms that might initially confuse you. These could range from words in another language, names of influential figures, or designations for cities/regions within the Living Lands.

You can temporarily halt dialogue to re-examine parts of the conversation or refer to a glossary for additional information about certain terms, making it simpler to grasp those difficult terms. The worldbuilding details are meticulously crafted, but the narrative itself could be more engaging.

To start, the villains in this game are surprisingly dull. One character, Inquisitor Lodwyn, is introduced as a fervent supporter of a vengeful deity. At first, her presence is intimidating, but as the game progresses, she seems more like an insignificant detail than a formidable adversary. There are few opportunities to interact with her, and even fewer where you and Lodwyn have meaningful conversations about your respective objectives and struggles.

One aspect of Avowed’s storyline that could be improved is the portrayal of the party members. Modern RPGs have been remarkable in creating characters that linger in your memory post-game, owing to exceptional voice acting, rich character development, and engaging dialogue. However, the party members in Avowed lack depth since their personalities seem more like stereotypes rather than genuine people due to limited character arcs and somewhat flat dialogue. The vocal performances are passable, but could benefit from further refinement.

Consider Marius and Kai, two characters who have built a strong friendship over time. Marius is often seen as a character with a tough outer shell but a heart of gold, a stereotype that’s been around for quite some time. He can come across as harsh and cynical, yet occasionally he displays acts of genuine kindness. Kai also grapples with a familiar challenge: he was once a mercenary, and his murky past is shrouded in darkness – a plot element that isn’t exactly uncharted territory for the genre.

If these characters had well-developed storylines and engaging conversations, then problems like these wouldn’t exist. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case here. The character arcs lack depth, especially if one decides to skip the side missions. Intriguingly, two of the party members don’t have their own quests at all, and there are no opportunities for romance or deeper relationships with non-player characters.

A significant concern is that the dialogue in this work feels less than satisfactory at times. Frequently, characters speak in a manner that seems more aligned with contemporary slang, rather than the setting of Avowed. For instance, there are instances where characters make “your mom” jokes, Kai repetitively uses the term “squad,” and Marius even employs a phrase like “well, that just happened.

In the context of Borderlands, such an event might seem less jarring. However, since we’re dealing with a game that offers a rich fantasy environment and instances where you battle individuals infected by a malevolent disease, it completely shatters any sense of being fully engrossed in the game world.

The primary issue that stands out in Avowed’s storytelling lies in its handling of “player agency.” Unlike many Western RPGs, Avowed seems to struggle in how it executes this feature. Often, games in this genre present player agency through clear-cut choices based on your character, for instance, in Cyberpunk 2077. Alternatively, they may create a world where every action you make influences the game’s outcome, like Deus Ex and Dishonored do.

In simpler terms, different choices often result in various outcomes or gameplay situations in many games, ensuring each playthrough is unique. However, Avowed stands out as being surprisingly straightforward, offering only a few endings that are primarily shown through a final slideshow, summarizing the effects of your decisions. In contrast to most games, the impact of your choices on the main story isn’t typically reflected throughout the gameplay in Avowed.

In another scenario, you face a difficult decision: either sacrifice many lives or demolish a revered shrine. If you opt for the loss of life, the local leader will cast a curse upon you and dismissively ask you to leave her presence. However, at a later juncture when you encounter the leaders from across the region, she appears unfazed, as if the past incident never took place.

In this game, whatever decision you take, there are no long-term repercussions. Characters might briefly argue over your choices, but they quickly reconcile and remain friendly. Additionally, the dialogue options provided to the player character seem restricted and lack vitality.

At one stage, I not only succeeded in offending a non-player character, but I also grabbed their possessions while they watched. Remarkably, the protagonist lacked any distinct personality, and the NPC failed to react angrily to my theft. If you opt for an unfavorable choice during side missions, the quest giver may reprimand you, yet still provide a reward. This only served to make the already monotonous missions, which were predominantly fetch-based, even more purposeless.

Due to all the components coming together, I never got fully engrossed in the universe and characters of Avowed. Instead, it seemed like I was merely an observer in a rather unengaging story with forgettable characters. Any initial curiosity about the game’s narrative that I had during its early stages rapidly dwindled when neither aspect grew or evolved over time.

If the narrative in Avowed doesn’t engage you, how does its gameplay measure up? Even though many RPGs are famous for their stories, the mechanics often compensate for any weaknesses they might have. Although the gameplay of Avowed is top-notch, it still has issues that make the overall experience less enjoyable.

A Broken Fantasy

Despite my doubts about the storyline in Avowed, I must concede that the gameplay was incredibly enjoyable and entertaining. Interestingly enough, your character customization choices have minimal influence over which weapon the protagonist employs, yet this turns out to be a positive aspect. This allowed me to tailor my gaming style dynamically, adjusting as needed based on each situation.

As an enthusiast, I’d say the fundamentals are straightforward. We, the players, can wield a standard strike with every weapon at our disposal, while a powerful, sustained attack is activated by keeping a button pressed. The arsenal of weapons is familiar, featuring a one-handed sword, a two-handed sword, an axe, a spear, a mace, and a dagger – all staples in the fantasy realm. Regrettably, these weapons seem rather conventional and don’t possess any distinctive abilities that set them apart from similar games in the genre.

In this game, what sets it apart are its unusual weapons, including a musket and a wand. I wasn’t anticipating the ability to handle rifles, but it turned out to be quite an enjoyable novelty that offers a unique gaming experience unlike most other fantasy games. However, the rifles aren’t particularly enjoyable because of their slow reload speed. Yet, this was one of the instances where I truly felt immersed in the world of Avowed.

Among all weapons in the game, none compares to the wand/grimoire in terms of enjoyment and effectiveness. On its own, the wand is a basic projectile weapon that shoots energy bolts, dealing some damage but not enough for challenging fights. However, it’s the grimoire that truly sets it apart – an enchanted spellbook that expands your offensive capabilities with numerous elemental attacks.

As a keen enthusiast, I’ve come across numerous grimoire books available for purchase, each offering a unique assortment of spells. Some focus more on defensive and supportive abilities, while others concentrate on a particular element. Dabbling with various spellbooks has not only added a new layer of excitement to the game but also made the earlier combat sections even more thrilling. In the later stages, despite the emerging gameplay issues that would eventually surface, most encounters were still incredibly exhilarating.

As the game advances, regrettably, the issues resurface. Despite the engaging gameplay, the way encounters typically unfold grows increasingly repetitive. Here are several main factors contributing to this.

The first item, which appears quite ordinary but stands out notably, is the HUD (Heads-Up Display). It’s packed with information and can be particularly bothersome during combat situations. On the bottom left side, you’ll find your skills, health, magic, and the health status of your party members. At the top left corner, there are your mission objectives and a mini-map.

Surrounding the screen, you’ll find guides pointing you towards your goals and warning you of approaching foes. In the Living Lands, the HUD feels intuitive, but during combat, it becomes overly intrusive. This feeling carries over to another significant problem, particularly with the enemies themselves.

As you advance in the narrative, adversaries can seem like resilient tanks, absorbing a great deal of harm. Their attacks are relentless and persistent, following you even when you attempt to dodge them. If an enemy has initiated an attack sequence and you move away, that attack will still pursue you. In certain situations, it may even track you from one end of the room to another.

Many dungeons seem to pressure players into repetitive leveling up, a process I’ve never been inclined to engage in because of the weak side quests previously mentioned. In my experience, I attempted to distribute my skills evenly to create a versatile character ready for any challenge. Despite this, I continued to struggle in battles, often being defeated by foes that seemed unbeatable without excessive leveling.

The method of enhancing your character doesn’t seem to lessen the challenging battles. In fact, most of the enhancements don’t make your character feel significantly stronger. Moreover, obtaining upgraded weapons can be quite aggravating as they often adhere to the classic RPG trope of being slightly more potent versions of their predecessors. For example, there’s a basic sword, a good one called a fine sword, an even better one named exceptional sword, and a superior one labeled superb sword.

Unfortunately, the gameplay can be hindered by some performance issues and bugs. In addition to the unusual enemy tracking issues I encountered, I sometimes found enemies trapped in walls, making them difficult to attack. Additionally, there were instances where necessary loot for side quests was missing, causing a soft-lock until a patch became available.

Ultimately, when the game Avowed piles up numerous enemies in a single battle, the frame rate may drop significantly, causing the graphics to become more challenging to comprehend. However, I should note that the overall visuals are quite impressive. Many of the landscapes look stunning, particularly the castles and hubs you’ll discover within The Living Lands world.

To put it simply, the graphics may seem repetitive and uninteresting because many of the landscapes resemble typical biomes found in other games, such as deserts, lava zones, jungles, etc. Unfortunately, these visuals are impacted by the technical issues mentioned earlier. For instance, character textures can appear pixelated or blurry, causing discomfort. Furthermore, there are instances where objects like trees suddenly appear very close to you, making them pop-in quite abruptly.

In summary, while Avowed has a strong base, the gameplay encounters numerous significant issues that make progressing through the latter stages an unenjoyable experience. Technical hiccups and bugs can potentially be addressed, but the more substantial problems with the game’s structure, upgrade system, and weapon variety compound the primary issue with Avowed: its failure to fully immerse players.

A Representation of the Genre’s Worst Features

Despite the fact that some people might find it overused, immersion remains crucial in today’s gaming world. It can be felt through a controller vibrating when you shoot or by observing how a game’s narrative evolves based on your decisions and environment creation. These aspects often distinguish a decent game from an average one. Unfortunately, the game Avowed falls short in creating an immersive experience for players.

The tale and personalities in “Avowed” seem thin and without much depth. The plotline appears fragmented, and the decisions you make during gameplay don’t significantly impact the game world. Regardless of whether you opt for negative actions, characters will continue to show respect until the end. Moreover, the non-player characters (NPCs) are constrained due to a scarcity of compelling story arcs, engaging conversations, and intriguing side quests featuring companions.

Despite some impressive weapons and encounters, the gameplay is compromised by questionable design decisions. Enemies can soak up damage, leading to the need for excessive grinding to keep combat manageable. Regrettably, the weapons offer minimal upgrades; instead, you must buy the same weapon with a new label and improved stats to ease the difficulty in dungeons. While the graphics are undeniably stunning, frequent issues with pop-in and texturing diminish any positive aspects.

In today’s world where role-playing games (RPGs) are increasingly popular and shaping the gaming industry, Avowed stands out as an exception. It showcases several problematic aspects typical of the genre, and though some players might find pleasure in it, that enjoyment is likely to be short-lived. This is due to its relatively brief playtime of only nineteen hours, lack of post-game content, and absence of a new game plus option.

If you’re fond of a wide variety of role-playing games, “Avowed” might not meet your expectations. Regrettably, if you’re seeking a game that offers strong characters, an engaging storyline, and solid gameplay, it would be wiser to explore Obsidian’s past titles like “Fallout: New Vegas.

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2025-03-19 17:17