Avowed, the next ambitious RPG from developer Obsidian Entertainment, is shaping up to be a treat for fantasy RPG fans. The game will take place in the Pillars of Eternity universe, giving it a rich lore background to draw from, and Obsidian's history with successful releases like Fallout: New Vegas and Pentiment means that the project is in good hands.
Its release date is a bit up in the air, though. Early this year, Xbox officially announced that Avowed would be launching in Fall 2024, rounding out an already-busy release season, but a specific date has yet to be unveiled. In June, Obsidian accidentally revealed a November 12, 2024 release date for the game in a blog post, though this was promptly removed. There could be any number of reasons for this quick scrubbing of the site, but the scramble to remove this information, coupled with the lack of an official reveal, suggests that Avowed's launch date could be subject to change. If this is the case, it might be in Avowed's best interest to push the game into 2025.
Avowed Could Have More Room to Breathe During 2025
Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Assassin's Creed Shadows, and Other Big RPGs are Crowding the Market in 2024
2024 is a big year for RPGs. Aside from already-released big titles like Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, this fall will see hotly anticipated games that cover large swaths of the role-playing space. Some of the most highly anticipated RPGs launching later this year include:
- Dragon Age: The Veilguard
- Assassin's Creed Shadows
- Dragon Quest 3: HD-2D Remake
- Metaphor: ReFantazio
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl
- Greedfall 2: The Dying World
Make no mistake, Avowed can certainly compete with these games, as it has both cultural cache and positive pre-launch buzz on its side, but the RPG genre is nevertheless jam-packed this year. Fantasy RPGs in particular are taking up a lot of space in 2024, and with Avowed adhering to so many of the same fantasy tropes as series like Dragon Age, fans of this genre might be split come this fall. Of course, gamers like being spoiled for choice, and most aren't in favor of lengthy delays, but giving Avowed some extra breathing room by pushing it back could be a smart business decision.
An Elder Scrolls-esque game like Avowed may benefit from being isolated from other mammoth role-playing games, especially those that have a lot in common with it. Avowed's director has stated that the game will share DNA with Obsidian's other big first-person RPG, The Outer Worlds, and with that game earning a lukewarm reception, it has tempered expectations for the fantasy RPG somewhat. It's not killing the hype train, but it's enough to make Avowed's early impressions slightly mixed. This, coupled with the game's distinct differences from other Pillars of Eternity games, means that it might have a bit to prove upon release.
Again, there's no reason to believe that Avowed can't silence criticisms when it launches, only that it's not viewed as a guaranteed hit by the gaming populace. It's not something like GTA 6, which could release during virtually any season, against any competition, and still sell boatloads. In other words, if customers have to choose between Avowed and a game like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, there's a good chance that many will neglect the former in favor of the latter, especially when considering brand recognition and series prestige; there are more players looking forward to a new Dragon Age or Dragon Quest game than a Pillars of Eternity spin-off.
Avowed
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 82%
- Released
- February 18, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger. Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.
You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands - an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness. You discover a personal connection to the Living Lands and an ancient secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder?
- Franchise
- Pillars of Eternity
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
