Avowed is a game I've been eagerly anticipating for the past four years, even before the first gameplay footage surfaced. With Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox Game Studios behind it, I couldn't resist the pull, especially when the game seemed to offer a Skyrim-like experience. I hoped it would fill the void until The Elder Scrolls VI, and thankfully, I wasn't disappointed. While Avowed shares many similarities with Skyrim, it manages to carve out its own identity, adding enough unique elements to make it stand apart from its inspirations.
The story of Avowed is shrouded in mystery, and revealing too much would spoil the experience. What I can say is that you begin washed ashore and are quickly swept up in a chaotic situation. A mysterious illness is ravaging the land, causing bizarre and beautiful mushrooms to grow on people, driving them mad, and leading to dangerous confrontations. What makes the story even more intriguing is that you play as a Godlike—a being touched by a god. These Godlikes carry physical traits that mirror those of the afflicted, which creates fascinating interactions throughout the game as you uncover more about your powers and the land.
When you first step into the game, you're greeted with the character creator, which, to be honest, didn't appeal to me. Something about the pre-made characters and even those I customized felt off. This became even more apparent once I entered the game world, where my character seemed underwhelming compared to some of the stunningly crafted character models.
As a Godlike, your appearance is marked by physical traits resembling coral or other nature-inspired elements, sprouting from your face and head. Thankfully, there's an option to hide these features, much like the hide-your-helmet option found in other games, which I appreciated. Some of the features even reminded me of the Cordyceps fungus from The Last of Us, albeit in a more visually pleasing form. This theme is also reflected in some of the enemies you encounter.
Once your journey begins on the shores of The Living Lands, the world of Avowed unfolds before you. Every corner of the game is drenched in beauty. The landscapes you explore are breathtaking, even when you venture into darker, more grim areas, where the ugliness still manages to possess a strange kind of beauty. If there’s one thing I wish the game had, it's a photo mode. Each time I logged in, I was struck by something new and stunning.
Avowed shares many similarities with Skyrim, including familiar features like cheese wheels, but this is a common trait for action-adventure RPGs set in medieval worlds. The Elder Scrolls series has set the bar for these types of games, and very few come close. I'm happy to say, however, that Avowed excels in both combat and art design, standing toe-to-toe with the best in the genre.
One of the most exciting aspects of Avowed is its combat system, which is unique and highly customizable. Unlike many RPGs where you’re locked into specific playstyles, such as rogue, warrior, or mage, Avowed allows you to mix and match abilities and weapons to create a playstyle all your own. I spent some time mastering a sword and shield combo, only to later fall in love with the wand and grimoire, and even the mace. The wide range of weapons, including axes, daggers, pistols, and bows, along with grimoires and other magical items, kept me experimenting and finding new strategies. I could always respec my talents if I wanted to try something different, and the cost to do so was reasonable, costing only gold.
In most RPGs, I tend to stick to one playstyle, but Avowed kept me constantly experimenting. Whether wielding an axe, bow, or wand, the sheer variety of combat options made every encounter feel fresh and exciting.

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