{"id":223940,"date":"2025-02-17T08:47:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T16:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/?p=223940"},"modified":"2025-02-17T08:51:13","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T16:51:13","slug":"avowed-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Avowed &#8211; Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have to admit, when I first stepped into <em>Avowed<\/em>, I felt overwhelmed. I pressured myself to understand everything at once\u2014the names, the places, the mechanics\u2014afraid I\u2019d miss something important. But the more I tried to keep control, the more distant the world felt. So instead, I decided to get lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I let myself get lost in its foreboding world, where dense flora hides treasures, and danger lurks in every shadow. I got lost in its visceral, weighty combat, where every strike feels deliberate and impactful. I got lost in the voices of its richly drawn characters, each with their own ambitions, secrets, and burdens to share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I took the oath to get lost, and in <em>Avowed<\/em>, I found something I had been yearning for\u2014a grand adventure, a journey worthy of standing alongside Obsidian\u2019s greats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It has been roughly six years since the release of their space-trotting adventure <em>The Outer Worlds<\/em> and its tremendously enjoyable expansions, and more than a decade since the G.O.A.T, <em>Fallout: New Vegas<\/em>. I\u2019ve played and replayed these games inside and out, from main quests to the smallest side stories, and it\u2019s safe to say I was eagerly anticipating what Obsidian would cook up next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Avowed <\/em>is set in Eora, the same world as the <em>Pillars of Eternity<\/em> franchise. I have to admit, I\u2019ve never dabbled in this storied series, which only added to my apprehension about stepping into a world already shaped by history and lore. The game opens with a brief introduction\u2014gods, a plague, and a world on the brink\u2014setting the stage for what\u2019s to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-1.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-223943\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-1-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-1-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-1-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019m happy to report that <em>Avowed <\/em>features a character creation screen, packed with all the bells and whistles you&#8217;d expect from a fantasy action RPG. Scrolling through the options, I noticed a set of well-crafted presets\u2014strikingly good-looking characters, but with something unusual. Many bore distinct facial features\u2014grooves, indentations, and scar-like markings that could easily be mistaken for birthmarks. But as I kept browsing, I noticed something even stranger\u2014what looked like clusters of barnacle-like growths, as if their faces had spent a little too much time underwater. Turns out, these aren\u2019t just cosmetic quirks; they\u2019re godlike traits, physical manifestations of divine influence, marking those who have been touched by the gods themselves. Apparently, divinity comes with skincare complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These distinctive features can either draw attention or go completely unnoticed by the characters you meet on your journey\u2014it\u2019s entirely up to you. With a simple toggle, you can decide whether your divine markings are visible or hidden. A neat touch, but part of me couldn\u2019t help but wish real life had a similar option\u2014masking that one rogue zit before an important meeting, or just disappearing entirely when someone tries to make small talk at a party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You play as The Envoy, a personal representative of the emperor of the Aedyran Empire. During character creation, you\u2019ll have a range of backgrounds to choose from, shaping not only your starting attributes but also how you interact with the world. You can be a sharp-minded Scholar, an Augur attuned to the mystical forces of Eora, or an agile Scout skilled in survival and combat. These choices influence dialogue options, quest resolutions, and even how NPCs perceive you. For instance, as a Scholar, you might uncover hidden knowledge in ancient texts, while an Augur could sense unseen magical disturbances others would miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-4.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-4-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-223945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-4-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-4-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-4-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-4-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-4-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-4-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-4.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sent on a mission to uncover the truth behind a mysterious plague threatening the Living Lands, you quickly realize that getting answers won\u2019t be as simple as knocking on doors and asking nicely. People don\u2019t exactly line up to spill ancient secrets to a total stranger\u2014especially when gods, cults, and power-hungry factions are involved. Every step forward is met with resistance\u2014secrets buried under layers of deception, forgotten gods with their own agendas, and factions that would rather stab you in the back than spill the truth. Whether it\u2019s political intrigue, cryptic prophecies, or something far weirder than you signed up for, one thing becomes clear: someone, or something, really doesn\u2019t want you solving this mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alongside the main storyline, <em>Avowed <\/em>treats you to a wide array of side quests that range from modest to truly epic. One moment you\u2019re caught in a heated street debate over which type of ship is better\u2014a totally reasonable argument to get worked up over, obviously\u2014and the next, you\u2019re entangled in the misadventures of a group of unlucky pirates, desperately trying to evade a relentless fleet. The game is brimming with these engaging quests, each populated by characters that feel surprisingly alive, each with their own quirks and personalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But while <em>Avowed <\/em>isn\u2019t afraid to bring up difficult topics, sometimes its stories feel like they\u2019re building toward something bigger\u2014only to end abruptly. One quest I stumbled into tackled abortion, not in a sensationalized way, but in a way that showed the game was willing to engage with heavier themes. It made me think, made me pause. But just as it seemed like it had something more to say, it ended\u2014abruptly, like a thought left unfinished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s something I kept feeling throughout my journey. <em>Avowed<\/em>\u2019s quests often carry weight, hinting at deeper stories, and richer conclusions, but some of them stop just short of something truly profound. It\u2019s as if a piece is missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During conversations you often get a wealth of options in how to respond\u2014whether you play the noble hero, a cunning villain, or just a total smartass. During one encounter, an NPC became increasingly furious with your sarcastic answers. He demanded you take him seriously. In response, the game allowed you to do something unexpected: you could simply squint at him. No words\u2014just a squint. It was a perfect deadpan moment, and somehow, it made him even angrier. Moments like these sprinkle the game with levity and charm, turning even simple interactions into memorable highlights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And of course, you\u2019ll find your standard fetch quests and bounty hunts scattered throughout. But even these come with their own layer of intrigue or humor, making every mission feel like it\u2019s worth your time. Whether it\u2019s retrieving an artifact from a cave, or hunting down a notorious bandit who insists he\u2019s just misunderstood, <em>Avowed<\/em>\u2019s world feels vibrant and rewarding to explore\u2014even if, at times, it feels like it holds back just when it\u2019s about to say something truly memorable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-223946\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-2-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-2-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-2-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-2-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aside from having a silver tongue (or two), sometimes diplomacy just won\u2019t cut it, and you\u2019ll need to get your hands dirty. Luckily, Avowed gives you plenty of ways to deal with the ruffians, beasts, and other unfortunate souls who stand between you and victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For melee combat, you\u2019ve got plenty of options\u2014one-handed weapons like swords, maces, and daggers for those who like a standard approach, or two-handed weapons like greatswords and axes for when you just want to turn enemies into regretful smears. If you prefer keeping your distance, you can go for bows, muskets, or pistols because nothing says \u2018fantasy RPG\u2019 like blasting someone in the face with a black powder firearm. And, of course, for the magically inclined, wands and spell books let you sling spells like a true arcane menace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No matter your weapon of choice, every attack consumes stamina, so swinging wildly isn\u2019t the best strategy. Light attacks can be chained into combos, while holding down the attack button delivers a powerful charged strike. Shields let you block most attacks, and with the right skills, you can parry for that satisfying \u2018gotcha\u2019 moment. Dodging is also an option\u2014because sometimes, the best defense is just getting the hell out of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each battle plays out like a chaotic, fast-paced dance of strikes, blocks, and dodges, all while managing your stamina like it\u2019s your phone battery at 5%. The combat in <em>Avowed <\/em>hits that sweet spot between fluidity and impact\u2014where a perfect parry feels just as rewarding as watching your enemies crumble under a devastating spell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-3-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-223947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-3-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-3-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-3-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-3-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If there&#8217;s one thing <em>Avowed <\/em>does well, it&#8217;s making exploration feel rewarding\u2014even when the rewards themselves aren&#8217;t game-changing. The world is dense, filled with layers of discovery that beg you to stray from the main path. I lost three hours in the starting area alone, chasing the glint of treasure in every nook and cranny. The chests tucked away in hard-to-reach places rarely hold anything overpowered\u2014maybe some crafting materials, a few upgrade parts, or a lousy pelt or two\u2014but that\u2019s not the point. The real thrill is in earning it, in knowing you climbed rooftops, dodged traps, and scoured forgotten ruins just for the chance to see what was inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Living Lands themselves are a varied and vibrant setting, offering everything from sunlit coasts to thick jungle swamps, barren deserts, and volcanic cliffs. Dawnshore\u2019s port city and rolling hills offer a warm welcome, while the Emerald Stair\u2019s dense jungles pulse with life\u2014and danger. Even early on, Avowed tempts you with detours: an abandoned tower lined with traps, a forgotten mine, or a cave tucked just out of sight. They don\u2019t demand hours, but stumbling upon them makes exploration feel worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The game feels almost too clean and polished at times. Traversal and movement are a joy\u2014fluid, responsive, and seamless\u2014but almost to a fault. There\u2019s an arcadey smoothness to everything, from parkour to combat, that sometimes makes the world feel less grounded than it should. The weight of the world is there, but I rarely felt it pushing back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Switching to third-person makes exploration easier, giving you a better sense of your surroundings, but first-person combat feels more immediate and impactful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But what really brings the world to life is the people in it. <em>Avowed <\/em>doesn\u2019t just let you complete side quests and move on\u2014it makes them matter. You might run into someone you helped hours later, standing in the streets of a city or resting in a roadside camp, no marker telling you they\u2019re there. The guy you pulled from a collapsing cave? He\u2019ll recognize you. The woman you saved from goblin tormentors? She might have something new to say\u2014or even a reward. The different streets of the city aren\u2019t just scenery either; different gangs control different territories, and knowing who runs what can make all the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And then there\u2019s that sound\u2014the shimmering chime of a hidden chest, just barely catching your ear. It\u2019s an invitation, a whisper promising something just out of reach, waiting to be found. And before you know it, another hour is gone, lost to the joy of discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-6-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-223949\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-6-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-6-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-6-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-6-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-6-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-6-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-6.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a world as perilous as the Living Lands, it helps to have friends who can watch your back\u2014and <em>Avowed <\/em>offers more than just battle-ready allies. The game\u2019s companions are fully realized characters, each with their own beliefs, baggage, and perspectives on the journey ahead. They aren\u2019t just there to shoot bows and cast spells; they challenge your choices, offer insight, and, if you take the time, become some of the most rewarding parts of the adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take Kai, for example\u2014a brawler with a heart of gold and a sharp tongue to match. A former Rauataian naval officer, he\u2019s the kind of guy who\u2019ll crack a skull one moment and tell you to visit home more often the next. He has a warmth about him, a sense of camaraderie that makes the world feel less lonely. He\u2019s also got a knack for keeping enemies off your back, taunting them into attacking him while you go to work. His blunderbuss doesn\u2019t just deal damage\u2014it can set enemies and obstacles on fire, turning the battlefield into controlled chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then there\u2019s Marius, the quiet, calculating assassin who sees the world in much darker shades than Kai. Where Kai jokes, Marius observes. Where Kai sees a chance to mend old wounds, Marius assumes betrayal is inevitable. His skills in combat reflect his pragmatic approach\u2014setting traps, inflicting bleed effects, and using his Hunter\u2019s Sense to mark enemies, loot, and even rare plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These two alone offer completely different viewpoints on the journey ahead, but <em>Avowed <\/em>doesn\u2019t stop there. As you explore, you\u2019ll meet more companions, each bringing their own unique abilities into combat, letting you tailor your team to your preferred playstyle. And they grow alongside you, leveling up and gaining new skills as you progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-5-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-223948\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-5-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-5-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-5-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-5-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-5-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-5-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-screenshot-5.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I find myself holding back the curtains for great RPGs like these\u2014exploring every corner, completing every side quest, all to delay the inevitable. But in my habit of getting lost in <em>Avowed<\/em>, I fear I\u2019ve rolled through the end far too soon. And that, more than anything, is a testament to how much I wanted to stay. So if there\u2019s more to uncover, more stories left untold\u2014then please, <em>Avowed<\/em>, allow me to get lost once more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This review is based on an Xbox Series X|S review copy provided to us on early access launch day by the developers\/publisher.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I have to admit, when I first stepped into Avowed, I felt overwhelmed. I pressured myself to understand everything at once\u2014the names, the places, the mechanics\u2014afraid I\u2019d miss something important. But the more I tried to keep control, the more distant the world felt. So instead, I decided to get lost. I let myself get<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":71,"featured_media":223950,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,8905,8657],"tags":[7063,1795],"class_list":["post-223940","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-reviews","category-xbox","category-xbox-series-xs-reviews","tag-avowed","tag-featured"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Avowed - Review | Sirus Gaming<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Avowed - Review | Sirus Gaming\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I have to admit, when I first stepped into Avowed, I felt overwhelmed. I pressured myself to understand everything at once\u2014the names, the places, the mechanics\u2014afraid I\u2019d miss something important. But the more I tried to keep control, the more distant the world felt. So instead, I decided to get lost. I let myself get\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Sirus Gaming\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SirusGamingOfficial\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-17T16:47:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-17T16:51:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-review-featured.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kurt John Palomaria\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@SirusGOfficial\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@SirusGOfficial\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kurt John Palomaria\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/avowed-review\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/avowed-review\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kurt John Palomaria\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/69cddfdd7e5505ed5fcb95911497dae6\"},\"headline\":\"Avowed &#8211; Review\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-17T16:47:44+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-02-17T16:51:13+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/avowed-review\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2230,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/avowed-review\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.sirusgaming.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/avowed-review-featured.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Avowed\",\"Featured\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Reviews\",\"Xbox\",\"Xbox Series X|S Reviews\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/avowed-review\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/avowed-review\\\/\",\"name\":\"Avowed - Review | Sirus Gaming\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/avowed-review\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/avowed-review\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.sirusgaming.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/avowed-review-featured.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-17T16:47:44+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-02-17T16:51:13+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/avowed-review\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/avowed-review\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/avowed-review\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.sirusgaming.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/avowed-review-featured.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.sirusgaming.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/avowed-review-featured.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/avowed-review\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Avowed &#8211; Review\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Sirus Gaming\",\"description\":\"Video Game News, Reviews, and Features\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Sirus Gaming\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/01\\\/Sirus-Logo-2023-Orange-WhiteBG-UserProfile.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/01\\\/Sirus-Logo-2023-Orange-WhiteBG-UserProfile.jpg\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":1000,\"caption\":\"Sirus Gaming\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/SirusGamingOfficial\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/SirusGOfficial\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/69cddfdd7e5505ed5fcb95911497dae6\",\"name\":\"Kurt John Palomaria\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/kurt-john-palomaria_avatar-96x96.jpg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/kurt-john-palomaria_avatar-96x96.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/kurt-john-palomaria_avatar-96x96.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Kurt John Palomaria\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sirusgaming.com\\\/author\\\/kurtpaloma\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Avowed - Review | Sirus Gaming","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Avowed - Review | Sirus Gaming","og_description":"I have to admit, when I first stepped into Avowed, I felt overwhelmed. I pressured myself to understand everything at once\u2014the names, the places, the mechanics\u2014afraid I\u2019d miss something important. But the more I tried to keep control, the more distant the world felt. So instead, I decided to get lost. I let myself get","og_url":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/","og_site_name":"Sirus Gaming","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SirusGamingOfficial","article_published_time":"2025-02-17T16:47:44+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-02-17T16:51:13+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-review-featured.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Kurt John Palomaria","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@SirusGOfficial","twitter_site":"@SirusGOfficial","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Kurt John Palomaria","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/"},"author":{"name":"Kurt John Palomaria","@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/#\/schema\/person\/69cddfdd7e5505ed5fcb95911497dae6"},"headline":"Avowed &#8211; Review","datePublished":"2025-02-17T16:47:44+00:00","dateModified":"2025-02-17T16:51:13+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/"},"wordCount":2230,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-review-featured.jpg","keywords":["Avowed","Featured"],"articleSection":["Reviews","Xbox","Xbox Series X|S Reviews"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/","url":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/","name":"Avowed - Review | Sirus Gaming","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-review-featured.jpg","datePublished":"2025-02-17T16:47:44+00:00","dateModified":"2025-02-17T16:51:13+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-review-featured.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/media.sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/avowed-review-featured.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/avowed-review\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Avowed &#8211; Review"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/","name":"Sirus Gaming","description":"Video Game News, Reviews, and Features","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/#organization","name":"Sirus Gaming","url":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Sirus-Logo-2023-Orange-WhiteBG-UserProfile.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Sirus-Logo-2023-Orange-WhiteBG-UserProfile.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"caption":"Sirus Gaming"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SirusGamingOfficial","https:\/\/x.com\/SirusGOfficial"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/#\/schema\/person\/69cddfdd7e5505ed5fcb95911497dae6","name":"Kurt John Palomaria","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/kurt-john-palomaria_avatar-96x96.jpg","url":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/kurt-john-palomaria_avatar-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/kurt-john-palomaria_avatar-96x96.jpg","caption":"Kurt John Palomaria"},"url":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/author\/kurtpaloma\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/223940","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/71"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=223940"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/223940\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/223950"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=223940"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=223940"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sirusgaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=223940"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}