Avowed received a “Generally Favorable” reception from critics, but the headline score needs context: Metacritic’s Xbox Series X listing showed 80/100 from 86 critic reviews in a snapshot accessed October 4, 2026. That is a dated score for one platform, not a universal rating. PS5 reviews published in 2026 cover a later version that includes the Anniversary Update, so they should be considered separately.
What is Avowed?
Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, set in Eora, the world of Pillars of Eternity. You play an envoy sent to investigate a spreading plague in the Living Lands. Xbox’s official description highlights companions, choices, and combat combining weapons and magic. The original game launched on February 18, 2025. Xbox Wire’s launch announcement provides the official premise and availability details. Its premise is presented as a standalone adventure, so familiarity with Pillars of Eternity is not necessary to understand the basic setup.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Avowed | Standard Edition | Xbox Series X|S and Windows Digital Code | $66.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Avowed | Premium Upgrade Edition | Xbox Series X|S and Windows Digital Code | $24.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Atomfall - Xbox Series X | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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DOOM: The Dark Ages – Xbox Series X | $31.49 | Buy on Amazon |
What is Avowed’s Metacritic score?
Metacritic’s Xbox Series X critic listing showed 80/100, or “Generally Favorable,” from 86 critic reviews in a snapshot accessed October 4, 2026. The listing is dynamic, and its score and review count can change. Treat the figure as an Xbox Series X snapshot from that date—not a cross-platform score, player rating, sales figure, or permanent consensus. See Metacritic’s Xbox Series X critic listing.
Why Xbox and PS5 reviews should be read separately
The Xbox Series X aggregate reflects one platform’s review set, while the PS5 listing contains later reviews published around the PS5 release in February and March 2026. Those reviews assess a version that includes the Anniversary Update; they are not interchangeable with the launch-window Xbox reviews. Metacritic’s PS5 critic listing is a separate review set.
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#1 Best Overall
- Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger.
- Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.
- Explore an island home to many different environments and landscapes, each with their own unique ecosystem
- Mix and match swords, spells, guns, and shields to fight your way
- Companions from a spread of species will fight alongside you, with their own unique set of abilities.
TechRadar Gaming’s March 2026 PS5 review discusses DualSense adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, PS5 quality and performance options, and update additions including New Game+, photo mode, three additional races, and a quarterstaff. The review reports no substantial PS5 Pro-specific enhancements and describes performance as comparable to Xbox Series X; those are that reviewer’s observations, not a universal performance guarantee. Read TechRadar Gaming’s PS5 review.
What critics evaluate in Avowed
An aggregate score compresses several distinct questions. When comparing reviews, look for the platform and version covered, then consider how each critic weighs these areas:
Rank #2
- Requires base game, Game Pass Ultimate, or PC Game Pass Membership (Sold Separately)
- Premium Upgrade includes: Premium Skin Packs: 2 sets of bonus skins for your companions, and access to Avowed Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack
- Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.
- Explore an island home to many different environments and landscapes, each with their own unique ecosystem.
- Mix and match swords, spells, guns, and shields to fight your way.
- Narrative and characters: Whether the writing, companions, and choices make the journey engaging.
- Combat: How satisfying the action feels and how effectively weapons and magic create variety.
- Exploration and world design: Whether the Living Lands reward curiosity and make their locations memorable.
- Scope and pacing: Whether the game’s size and progression feel focused or leave a reviewer wanting more.
- Technical polish and controls: How the game performs and feels on the specific platform being reviewed.
These categories help explain why two favorable reviews—or reviews with different scores—can reach different conclusions. A PS5 review that discusses DualSense features or Anniversary Update content is answering a different version-and-platform question from an Xbox Series X review written around launch.
Is Avowed worth playing?
The critic picture is favorable overall, but whether it suits you depends on what you want from a fantasy RPG. The official premise points to a first-person adventure built around companions, choices, exploration, and weapon-and-magic combat. Use reviews to check whether their discussion of writing, combat feel, world design, pacing, and technical performance matches your priorities. For PS5, give more weight to reviews of the 2026 version; for Xbox Series X, the 80/100 snapshot is a useful dated reference rather than a final verdict for every player.
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Rank #3
- Player Driven Mystery: Unravel a tapestry of interwoven narratives through exploration, conversation, investigation, and combat, where every choice you make has consequences.
- Explore this Green and Unpleasant Land: The picturesque British countryside, with rolling green hills, lush valleys, and rural villages belie the dangers that await you.
- Search, Scavage, Survive: You’ll need to scavenge for supplies, craft weapons and items, and fight desperately to make it our alive!
- “Basic Supply Bundle” - Supplies are scarce in the quarantine zone. Improve your chances for survival with additional items to find, including an exclusive melee weapon to help you in those brutal close-quarters engagements. o Exclusive Melee Weapon Variant o Additional Loot Caches o Item Recipe
Platforms, availability, and editions
Xbox Wire announced the February 18, 2025 launch for Xbox Series X|S and PC storefronts, with Game Pass availability. Xbox’s availability page also lists cloud play and says purchases through Xbox/Windows support Xbox Play Anywhere. The PS5 version was reviewed in 2026. Storefront availability and subscription terms can vary by region and change over time, so check the relevant platform store for current details. Xbox Wire’s launch announcement covers the Xbox and PC launch information.
Xbox Wire’s November 2024 announcement described two digital editions and a physical Premium Edition SteelBook. The SteelBook package was described as including a digital game code, not a physical game disc, along with two premium skin packs, digital artbook and soundtrack access, the SteelBook, and a Living Lands map. Its announced prices were historical launch information, not current pricing. Read the original edition announcement.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Developed by id Software, DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage.
- In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
- A dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it’s the perfect entry point whether you’re new to the franchise or a long time fan.
- As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw.
- Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this epic, cinematic, and action-packed story.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
