Let me be straight with you: even now in 2026, I still see folks scratching their heads over Avowed's Premium Upgrade Edition. The game launched on February 18, 2025 from Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox Game Studios, and because it was a day-one Game Pass title, the usual pre-order playbook went out the window. I have been digging into this offer, and the long and short of it is that the Premium Upgrade Edition is a semi-unique way to sweeten the pot for both standard buyers and Game Pass subscribers.
What Is Avowed's Premium Upgrade Edition?
Avowed is an action RPG set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, but it swaps the isometric CRPG camera for first-person or third-person combat with melee weapons, magic, and early-age firearms. Obsidian has a strong track record, from Fallout: New Vegas to The Outer Worlds and Pentiment, so I had high hopes. The Premium Upgrade Edition is an extra purchase that gives players access to additional rewards. It is aimed at two types of users: people who ordered the Standard Edition and want to upgrade, and Game Pass users who want the extra rewards without buying the game outright.
For Game Pass players, this is a big win because it removes the usual pre-order reward exclusions that can happen with subscription services. I have got to hand it to Obsidian and Xbox for offering a small-price solution instead of leaving subscribers out in the cold.
Premium Upgrade Edition Price And What Is Included
The Avowed Premium Upgrade Edition goes for $25. Honestly, that is not too shabby. The package includes three main sets of rewards:
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Five days of early access to the full game
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Two sets of bonus companion skins
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Access to the digital artbook and soundtrack
The early access is the real kicker. If you are on Game Pass, that is essentially $5 a day to play early while keeping the game for the rest of your subscription. It is a fair price for players who are willing to spend a little extra. However, if you bought the base edition for $70 and then add the upgrade, your total jumps to $95. That is $5 more than the regular Premium Edition, which is priced at $90. It is a slight downgrade, but not exactly a deal-breaker.
Here is a quick breakdown:
| Option | Cost | Early Access | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Pass + Premium Upgrade | subscription + $25 | Yes | skins, artbook, soundtrack |
| Standard Edition + Premium Upgrade | $70 + $25 = $95 | Yes | skins, artbook, soundtrack |
| Regular Premium Edition | $90 | Yes | skins, artbook, soundtrack |
How The Early Access Worked
The Avowed early access window began on February 13, 2025, five days before the full launch. There was no indication of restrictions, so players had access to the full game. Some folks likely blazed through the main story before the public launch, while others took their time checking every corner of the map. The early bird gets the worm, as they say.
Now that we are in 2026, the early access ship has obviously sailed. If you are picking up the Premium Upgrade today, the main value is the bonus skins and the digital artbook and soundtrack. Still, I think it is useful to understand the original offer because it explains why the add-on exists in the store.
Is The Premium Upgrade Worth It?
Your mileage may vary. If you are already paying for Game Pass, the $25 upgrade was a solid deal for early access and some cosmetic extras. If you are buying the Standard Edition in 2026, I would only grab the upgrade if you really want the companion skins or the digital goodies. The early access perk is no longer relevant, so the value proposition has changed.
Even so, Avowed remains one of the big action RPGs from Obsidian, and the studio has been keeping fans busy with looks at The Outer Worlds 2 as well. If you are an RPG devotee, the Premium Upgrade can still be a fun way to round out your copy with extra flair. Just do not expect it to be the same early-access bargain it was before launch.
At the end of the day, Obsidian delivered a game that leans into the Pillars of Eternity world while offering a more action-focused combat style. The Premium Upgrade Edition was a clever fix for Game Pass pre-order tension, and even though the early access window has passed, the add-on still has some bite for collectors.