3 hours in, here's the 10 things I love most about Avowed so far

GamesRPGAvowed3 hours in, here’s the 10 things I love most about Avowed so farWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesRPGAvowed3 hours in, here’s the 10 things I love most about Avowed so farWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment) Greetings, fellow adventurers! There have been plenty of great RPGs to play over the last couple of years, but I’ve been particularly keen to see more from Avowed ever sinceMicrosoftpurchasedObsidian Entertainmentin 2018. Announced as its next big budget RPG, and before Xbox also bought Bethesda, this felt like its answer to Elder Scrolls. Given the studio’s impressive portfolio spanning Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 and Fallout: New Vegas, seeing what they’d be able to pull off with major megabucks backing has been tantalizing. Which means I jumped at the chance to go hands-on with a brand new slice of the game picking up from the very beginning. Unleashed onto the Dawnshore, I’ve already spent three hours (and change) questing across it. WhileAvoweddoesn’t feature a full open world, but rather large and dense zones, it’s still nevertheless quite a rich area to get to grips with what makes Avowed unique. As someone who bounced off Dragon Age: The Veilguard and has always struggled with Skyrim (sorry!) I wasn’t sure what to expect. But Avowed already has me hooked. Here’s the 10 things you need to know, and what’s stood out to me the most from what I’ve played so far. 1. Allows you to get stuck in with combat (Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment) Not everyone is always in the mood for stacks of numbers. While Avowed certainly has those to offer for the digit delighted stat lovers out there, the first-person combat is fun to simply get stuck into, allowing you to really embrace some action-first hacking and slashing if you so desire. Combat has a lovely weightiness about it, and whether you’re pinging a bow, taking a hit with your shield, or about to fling out elemental spells, it’s all intuitive and easy to understand. Just stick ‘em with the pointy end until they’re dead (and that charge attack is so satisfying to pull off, as it can send enemies ragdolling). 2. Jumping is vital (for secrets and more) (Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment) When you see fantasy swords and sorcery, it’s easy to imagine you’ll be trundling around an open world in a slight jog as you bosh baddies on the noggin. But Avowed’s open areas are detailed spaces to explore thanks to some parkour-like first-person clambering. Its movement isn’t quite as fully featured asDying Light 2, but you’re nevertheless nimbler than you might expect, and some quest areas will reward clever jumping with great prizes. But even on the standard path you may come across broken bridges or outcrops that can get you to your destination. Just look where you’re going lest you take a fall. 3. The power of the lore button (Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment) AVOWED: THE BIG PREVIEW(Image credit: Future)This month, we’re diving into the highly anticipatedupcoming Obsidian game. To find our coverage, visit theAvowed Big Preview hub. AVOWED: THE BIG PREVIEW (Image credit: Future)This month, we’re diving into the highly anticipatedupcoming Obsidian game. To find our coverage, visit theAvowed Big Preview hub. (Image credit: Future) This month, we’re diving into the highly anticipatedupcoming Obsidian game. To find our coverage, visit theAvowed Big Preview hub. No fantasy world is complete without a web of proper nouns to become properly entangled in. After all, learning the language of a new world is all part of the immersion, and how fans are made. But if Avowed is your first foray into the Pillars universe, then worry not, as you always have the option within dialogue to pull up an explanation of any lore terms you’ve encountered. 4. The smart, clear UI makes it great for controllers (Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment) Avowed’s UI is far from over-designed, though it’s still quite pretty. Most importantly, it’s clear. I love how it’s clear from both your health bar and an enemy’s when they’re blocking as it adds a purple shield overlay, making it obvious when you’re safe and when to go for a guard break. I love the clear waypointing that makes it obvious what’s optional and what’s going to progress your main path forward. But most importantly I love how natural it feels on a controller, making Avowed a crunchy RPG that feels tailor-made for Xbox, from clear d-pad shortcuts, to using the triggers in combat, to assigning and managing gear in the inventory. Even the sprinting works a bit like in Call of Duty. It all feels wonderfully natural. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more 5. Double weapon wheels for twice the fun (Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment) 6. Sword AND sorcery! (Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment) Again, Avowed empowers you to find your own combat flow and get it the way you want it, meaning you can mix and match your main-hand and off-hand dynamic as you see fit. While some weapons take up both shots, like bows or greatswords, others are a lot more flexible, and many are one-handed. For instance, though shields can be placed in the off-hand, spellbooks also must inhabit that slot. Which does mean you can cast aside a shield and wield a tome instead, relying more on the (very powerful) dodge button instead of blocking. Some ranged weapons are also one-handed, meaning you can go shield and mace in one slot, and combine a gun and magic for the other (we won’t stop mentioning it – you can literallydual-wield guns and magic!) 7. Keep the spells flowing (Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment) 8. Go arrow happy (Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment) This one goes out to all our fellow Elder Scrolls fans who like to make their rangers viable so they can snipe their way out of danger. Not only is the ranged build in Avowed, at least early on, a very valid option, but it’s joyous to play. Aiming down sights, you can power up shots, hitting weak spots for big damage. But you can also let go of your bow pull early to get off shots a bit faster. It’s very powerful, as it allows you to get damage in at a distance and seemingly shoot past shields. Be warned, however, there are a lot of ranged enemies as well, so you may end up in a sniper battle. Played this way, it all becomes a marvelous fantasy flavored FPS in its own right. 9. Making camp means making friends (Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment) 10. Getting to play a character (Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment) Can’t wait for Avowed? We’ve got a list of thebest RPG gamesto play right now instead! Or looking for more of what’s next from Xbox? Then check out theupcoming Xbox Series X games! 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“James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”