February 2025 is shaping up to be a great month for RPG fans, with Obsidian Entertainment's highly anticipated Avowed among the releases. Early previews suggest the game is good, but lacks a unique element to make it truly stand out.
Critics generally agree that Avowed is a solid RPG, but lacks a defining "hook."
This is a fantasy RPG that doesn't have an obvious hook, but it does have a lot of interesting little touches. The movement in the game is reminiscent of Mirror’s Edge, the combat is reminiscent of Dishonored, the dialogue sounds like Mass Effect, and the scale is similar to Skyrim. - Eurogamer
IGN appreciated the option to play as a villain, a welcome change after the more virtuous Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Reviewers praised Avowed's story and atmosphere as a step up from The Outer Worlds, with less caricature-like characters, less sarcastic dialogue, and a more grounded tone. Companions also received positive mentions, though it was too early to fully assess their depth.
The combat system, while varied thanks to a wide array of weapons and magic, was considered somewhat simple. One reviewer easily defeated an early boss. However, the combat was still described as engaging.
Avowed, set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, launches on February 18, 2025, for PC and Xbox Series.
