Avowed

Presentation

Avowed is a fantasy action RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment and set in the world of Eora, previously explored in the Pillars of Eternity series. The player takes control of an Envoy of Aedyr sent to the Living Lands to investigate the Dreamscourge, a mysterious corruption spreading among people, creatures and the environment.

The adventure takes place across an island divided into several regions with very different identities. Lush forests, rocky areas, settlements, ruins and more hostile territories form a world built around exploration rather than a single continuous open space. Each region has its own communities, conflicts and secrets.

Combat allows players to freely combine melee weapons, bows, firearms, shields and magic. The character can equip two weapon sets and switch between them quickly, for example moving from a sword-and-shield fighter to a pistol user or spellcaster.

Progression does not impose a fixed class. Skills are divided across several trees linked to Fighter, Ranger, Wizard and the specific powers of the Godlike protagonist. This makes it possible to mix disciplines and create hybrid builds rather than remaining locked into a single role.

Four main companions gradually join the journey: Kai, Giatta, Marius and Yatzli. Each has their own abilities, history and perspective on events. They take part in combat, comment on the player's decisions and have personal quests that develop their individual stories.

Choices play an important role in quests and dialogue. Certain situations can be resolved in different ways, while decisions influence relationships, factions and the fate of several communities. The protagonist's background and characteristics can also open specific dialogue options.

The camp serves as a place of rest and preparation between expeditions. It allows players to speak with companions, improve equipment and prepare for the next part of the journey.

Exploration also rewards curiosity through side paths, hidden locations, treasures and distinctive equipment. Avowed therefore preserves Obsidian's focus on choices and characters while adapting it to a more direct action-RPG format played primarily in first person, with a third-person view also available.

Key points

• A fantasy action RPG set in the universe of Pillars of Eternity.
• An adventure taking place in the mysterious Living Lands.
• A mission focused on uncovering the origin of the Dreamscourge.
• Combat combining weapons, magic, shields and firearms.
• Two equipment sets can be switched between quickly.
• Classless progression, allowing several skill trees to be combined.
• Four main companions: Kai, Giatta, Marius and Yatzli.
• Decisions that can affect quests, relationships and the fate of certain communities.
• Several distinct regions encouraging exploration and discovery.
• Playable in first or third person.

Conclusion

Avowed translates Obsidian's narrative approach into a more direct action RPG. Freedom is not limited to dialogue choices: it also shapes how the character is built and how weapons, magic and skills are combined in combat.

Companions and the different factions give additional weight to the decisions made throughout the Living Lands. The investigation into the Dreamscourge therefore serves as the thread for a story in which the relationship between the Envoy, Aedyr and the island itself gradually becomes as important as the original threat.

The game expands the world of Eora without requiring prior knowledge of Pillars of Eternity, while preserving several of its defining foundations: narrative choice, important companions and political conflicts without simple answers.

Good to know

Avowed was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios.

The game was originally released on February 18, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, including Xbox, Steam and Battle.net.

A PlayStation 5 version was released on February 17, 2026, alongside the major anniversary update.

The game takes place in Eora, the same universe as Pillars of Eternity, but in a previously unexplored region: the Living Lands. Playing the earlier games is not required to follow the story.

The main character is customizable and has a Godlike nature, directly connected to several story elements and a dedicated skill tree.

The game features four main companions: Kai, Giatta, Marius and Yatzli, each with their own abilities and personal quests.

The 2026 anniversary update notably adds New Game Plus, Photo Mode, new character creation content and a new weapon type. These later additions remain separate from the foundations of the original 2025 release.

This entry focuses on the main campaign and core systems of Avowed, without treating post-launch additions as part of the base experience.