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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 of Aedyr sent to the Living Lands to investigate a spreading plague and the larger secret behind it. Obsidian’s official game page describes the premise as a mission whose secret threatens to destroy everything.
The game launched on Xbox Series X|S and PC on February 18, 2025. The PS5 version arrived on February 17, 2026, alongside the anniversary update. Xbox Wire’s launch notice listed Windows PC, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, and Game Pass in addition to Xbox consoles; subscription and cloud access can vary. See Xbox Wire’s launch announcement for the launch-era service details, and Obsidian’s PS5 announcement for the later platform release.
What do critics agree on?
Favorable reviews commonly point to the quality of the writing, the feel and flexibility of combat, companion relationships, and an appealing setting worth exploring. The excerpts displayed on Metacritic’s Xbox Series X critic page reflect several of those strengths, including praise for storytelling and combat.
#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.
The main reservation is about scale and depth, not a single universally agreed flaw. Some critics describe Avowed as more contained than a vast open-world RPG and question whether its systems and ambitions go far enough. That distinction helps explain why a reviewer can enjoy the moment-to-moment adventure while still wishing for a larger or deeper game.
What does the score tell you?
When accessed on October 7, 2026, Metacritic’s Xbox Series X critic page displayed an 80 Metascore, labeled “Generally Favorable,” based on 86 reviews. This is a dated snapshot for Xbox Series X, not a permanent total, a cross-platform score, or a score that combines reviews of every version. The page can change as reviews are added or its data is updated.
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.
For a useful comparison, check what each reviewer actually played and valued:
- Platform and version: An Xbox or PC review from the 2025 launch period is not a PS5 review.
- World design: Focused, connected zones may suit players who want a directed adventure; players expecting an enormous open world may see that same design as a limitation.
- Combat and character building: Reviews differ in how much weight they give to the flexibility and feel of first-person fighting versus the depth of RPG systems.
- Story and companions: Look for whether a review’s praise centers on writing, relationships, and choices—the elements many favorable critics highlight.
- Technical experience and update: Note the hardware, settings, and whether the review predates or includes the anniversary update. One platform’s assessment should not be treated as a performance guarantee for another.
How did the PS5 version change the picture?
The PS5 version was released on February 17, 2026, at the same time as the anniversary update. The update added Dwarves, Orlans, and Aumaua as playable species alongside Humans and Elves, plus New Game Plus and custom difficulty modifiers. New Game Plus unlocks after completing the main story. Obsidian lists the changes in its anniversary update announcement.
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- Premium Edition includes: Avowed base game, Premium Skin Packs: 2 sets of bonus skins for each of 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.
- Companions from a spread of species will fight alongside you, with their own unique set of abilities.
Matt Cabral’s March 6, 2026 TechRadar PS5 review specifically evaluates the PS5 Pro version. Cabral praises the DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers, but finds few substantial enhancements specific to PS5 Pro. The review also reports quality and performance options, plus a middle setting for displays supporting 120Hz. Those are the reviewer’s observations about the version and settings assessed, not a guarantee of identical results on every PS5 or display.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Avowed open world?
Critics’ debate about its scale is a helpful guide to expectations: the game is better understood as a focused RPG adventure than as an attempt to deliver the genre’s most expansive open world. If sheer map size and continuous open-world sprawl are priorities, the scope reservations in some reviews are worth taking seriously. If you prefer a more directed journey with exploration, companions, and story at the center, the same focus may be a plus.
Rank #4
- L'édition Premium SteelBook comprend: le jeu de base Avowed, jusqu'à 5 jours d'accès anticipé, le SteelBook Avowed, la carte des Terres Vivantes, deux packs de skins Premium et l'accès à l'Artbook numérique Avowed et à la bande-son originale
- Vous êtes l'envoyé d'Aedyr, une terre lointaine, missionné pour enquêter sur les rumeurs selon lesquelles une épidémie se propagerait dans les Terres Vivantes, une île pleine de mystères et de secrets, de dangers et d'aventures, de choix et de conséconsés. quences, et d'une nature sauvage
- Explorez une île qui abrite de nombreux environnements et paysages différents, chacun avec son propre écosystème unique
- Mélangez et associez des épées, des sorts, des armes et des boucliers pour vous frayer un chemin
- The compagnons d'un large éventail d'espèces se battront à vos côtés, avec leurs propres capacités uniques
What platforms is Avowed on?
Avowed is available for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5. Xbox and PC were the launch platforms in February 2025; PS5 followed in February 2026. Xbox Wire’s launch announcement also listed Battle.net, Steam, cloud, and Game Pass. Availability through a subscription or cloud service may vary over time and by region, so check the current storefront or service listing before purchasing.
Is Avowed worth playing?
Based on the critic response, it is a strong candidate if you value writing, companions, and adaptable first-person combat more than a huge open world or the deepest possible RPG systems. The Xbox Series X critic snapshot is favorable, but it is only one platform’s dated aggregate; the individual reviews are more useful when they match your priorities and version. PS5 players can also consider the post-update review context, while keeping in mind that TechRadar’s DualSense and PS5 Pro findings are specific to its reviewer’s experience.
What should buyers know about the editions?
At launch, Xbox Wire documented two digital editions and a physical Premium Edition SteelBook. The SteelBook package included the base game as a digital code—not a disc—as well as early access, premium skin packs, a digital artbook and soundtrack, the SteelBook, and a map of the Living Lands. That is a record of the launch offering, not confirmation of current stock or code validity. The launch details appear in Xbox Wire’s editions announcement; check the seller, platform compatibility, and whether the code remains usable before buying a second-hand copy.
Quick Recap
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.
