Since its initial reveal in 2020, Avowed has generated steady interest even among players who have never touched Pillars of Eternity. Rather than chasing the sprawling scale of a Bethesda title, the team at Obsidian leaned into what it does best: tighter, character-driven role-playing with meaningful choices. This preview of a near-final build covered the opening three hours. It offered a clearer look at combat, world design, and the dialogue that has become an Obsidian hallmark.
Character Creation and the Envoy's Mark
The adventure begins with the Envoy, King Aedyr's most trusted liege, being sent to the city of Paradis to uncover the cause of Dreamscourge. That plague infects people and animals alike, and it forms the central mystery of the opening act. Players create their own Envoy from scratch. Since the protagonist is a Godlike who does not know which god they belong to, character creation includes choosing from several distinct markings. Options range from coral reef blemishes sprouting from the face to massive pink butterfly wings covering the eyes. The preview build featured a marking that grew branches out of the character's head.
Stats and backgrounds function in a familiar way, similar to Fallout, and they unlock unique dialogue options based on previous choices. A scholar background was selected with the hope of picking up a wand as early as possible. That wish did not come true immediately. The prologue section opens with the Envoy washing up on a shore after a shipwreck, equipped only with a dagger and shield to teach basic mechanics. Early melee combat felt passable rather than exciting. An overpowered bow offered a temporary alternative, and a Grimoire eventually allowed spellcasting between stabs and pokes. By the end of the opening hours, the combat loop began to find its footing.
Characters and World-Building Are the Heart of Avowed
Even when the swordplay did not fully capture attention, the strength of the writing was immediately apparent. Avowed throws players into a sea of proper nouns and unfamiliar terms, but a mid-conversation glossary helps clarify the jargon without breaking immersion. The dialogue carries a notably human quality, and the kindly shipmate Garryck quickly becomes a likable presence.
A rude smuggler at the fort presents an early choice. She has killed a guard and asks to be freed in exchange for passage on her boat. A player could abandon her and take the boat, but the heroic path frees her and leads the Envoy and Garryck to the docks of Dawnshore. There, Kai joins the party. Kai was a favourite from an earlier preview, and his return adds warmth and personality to the journey.
Side quests also showcase Obsidian's strange, heartfelt storytelling. While exploring the port, the Envoy receives help from an elf whose home has been invaded by Xaurips. After killing the creatures, a surprising revelation emerges: the Xaurips wanted to befriend the elf because half of her soul was tied to one of them. That twist makes the side content feel memorable rather than like filler.
Wands and Guns Are the Best Way to Play
Combat finally clicked once the Envoy began mixing a wand, the unique Rush ability, and a surprisingly powerful revolver. Enemies in Avowed tend to rush forward, and relying on melee alone can leave a player quickly overwhelmed. Whipping basic spell shots with a wand, tackling foes with Rush, and then blasting stragglers with the revolver felt far more satisfying than simple swordplay. This ranged and magical combo carried the preview through a main quest that ended with a challenging fight against a Dreamscourge-infected bear. Defeating that bear awarded a new Godlike healing ability, adding another layer to the growing toolkit.
| Combat Tool | Role in the Build |
|---|---|
| Wand | Rapid spell shots for constant pressure |
| Revolver | High damage for finishing off stragglers |
| Rush ability | Closes distance and knocks back enemies |
| Godlike healing | Earned after the bear fight for survivability |
World Scale and Final Impressions
One of the biggest surprises was how open the world feels between the docks and Paradis. Avowed has frequently been compared to The Outer Worlds when it comes to scope. While it clearly is not attempting to match the size of a Bethesda game, that comparison undersells the amount of content on display. The preview areas contained challenging enemy encounters that were too high-level for the initial build, optional collectibles scattered across the landscape, and plenty of room to explore. The trek to Paradis hinted at a larger and denser world than the developers have publicly downplayed.
The final preview session made a strong case for Avowed. Sword fighting still felt dated, echoing complaints aimed at Skyrim-era melee combat, but the game provides a happy alternative through wands, guns, and magic. Human-feeling dialogue, odd and emotionally layered side quests, and a dense environment all point toward another memorable role-playing game from Obsidian. The only remaining concern is whether a crowded release window will draw too much attention away from what already looks like a confident and focused adventure.