Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsAvowed’s anniversary update and PlayStation 5 version launched on February 17, 2026. The update adds New Game+, three playable species, custom difficulty options, Photo Mode, and a quarterstaff, among other changes. It also completes the post-launch roadmap Obsidian had revised in December 2025.
What’s in the Avowed anniversary update?
The February 17 update is available for Avowed across its existing platforms, and the same date marks the game’s PS5 release. It adds major replay and character-creation features alongside combat, accessibility, and quality-of-life changes. Obsidian’s full update notes describe the mechanics; Xbox Wire’s launch announcement summarizes the release across platforms.
- New Game+: Replay the main story with a defined set of character progression and equipment carried over, tougher enemies, and a higher attribute cap.
- Three new species: Dwarves, Orlans, and Aumaua join Humans and Elves, completing the five playable Eoran kith species.
- Custom difficulty: Adjust player, enemy, and companion values, as well as several damage, price, and upgrade-material settings.
- Photo Mode: Take pictures of the envoy, companions, and locations.
- Quarterstaff: A new bludgeoning weapon type with wand-style stun finishers.
- Additional changes: More character and Godlike presets, improved lighting, the ability to skip some previously unskippable conversations, and other quality-of-life fixes. Xbox Wire also notes that some enemies respawn to keep areas lively.
The update’s timing shifted: on December 2, 2025, Obsidian said the planned fall update would move to around the game’s February anniversary and include additional features. The anniversary update arrived February 17, 2026, and Obsidian described it as the end of the post-launch roadmap. See the updated roadmap announcement.
Can you change your race in an existing Avowed save?
Yes. A mirror in Party Camp lets you change your character’s appearance, including species, during an ongoing adventure. You do not need to start a new game to switch between the five playable species.
#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.
Species and background choices now provide attribute bonuses. The bonuses are:
| Choice | Attribute bonus |
|---|---|
| Human | +1 Might and +1 Resolve |
| Elf | +1 Dexterity and +1 Perception |
| Aumaua | +2 Might |
| Dwarf | +1 Might and +1 Constitution |
| Orlan | +1 Perception and +1 Resolve |
Backgrounds add another +2 attribute boost:
| Background | Attribute bonus |
|---|---|
| Arcane Scholar | +2 Intellect |
| Court Augur | +2 Resolve |
| Noble Scion | +2 Perception |
| Vanguard Scout | +2 Dexterity |
| War Hero | +2 Constitution |
These bonuses make species and background meaningful character-build choices, but the camp mirror means they are not permanent commitments for an existing character.
How does New Game+ work in Avowed?
New Game+ unlocks after you complete the main story. It is not available simply because you have reached the endgame: the game needs a valid completion save.
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.
Make sure you have the right completion save
If you finished Avowed before the update, load a save at the point of no return or later and beat the game again. That creates the completion save needed to start New Game+. If you have not completed the story, finish it normally.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →What carries over
New Game+ preserves selected character progression and unique gear, but resets other parts of your adventure. Obsidian’s notes say the following carry over:
- Unlocked abilities, except Godlike abilities.
- Attribute points you have spent.
- Unique weapons and armor, reset to level 1.
- Unlocked enchantments.
- Unique gloves and boots, plus necklaces, rings, and trinkets.
- Your companions’ talent points. You must reacquire companions through story progression, and they start at level 1.
What resets
You start without collected resources and several kinds of world or quest progress:
Rank #3
- 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.
- Gold and upgrade, enchanting, and food materials.
- Consumables and quest items.
- God totems and trinkets.
- Fast-travel points and fog-of-war progress.
- Uncommon weapons and armor. These are removed when New Game+ begins; they do not carry over as equipped gear.
Expect stronger enemies and a higher attribute cap
Enemies have increased stats and may receive elemental or physical modifiers. The attribute cap rises from 15 to 30, giving you more room to develop your character over the replay. New Game+ therefore preserves meaningful parts of a build without simply repeating the original difficulty with a fully stocked inventory.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What can you change with custom difficulty options?
The update’s custom options let you adjust player, enemy, and companion values, along with merchant prices, upgrade-material costs, fall damage, trap damage, and item-quality damage reduction. Some settings also change XP modifiers, so difficulty adjustments can affect progression as well as combat.
There is an achievement trade-off: Obsidian warns that enabling custom game options invalidates the Path of the Damned achievement. The update notes say most other achievements are not invalidated.
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
When did Avowed come to PS5, and what platforms is it on?
Avowed launched on PS5 on February 17, 2026. The PS5 version includes the previous year of updates, according to Xbox Wire; the US PlayStation Store lists the same release date. The official US PlayStation Store listing provides the PS5 editions and current storefront details.
Xbox Wire lists availability on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, Xbox Cloud, PS5, Battle.net, and Steam. Its February 17, 2026 article listed standard and premium editions at $49.99 and $59.99 respectively, and said the game was available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass at that time. Store prices, editions, and subscription catalogs can change, so check the platform or storefront where you plan to play.
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.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
