Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed launched on February 18, 2025, marking a significant new entry in the world of fantasy RPGs. Set in Eora—the richly developed universe first introduced in Pillars of Eternity—Avowed blends classic role-playing depth with modern action mechanics.
Players can switch between first- and third-person perspectives as they explore visually diverse, interconnected zones, casting spells, wielding swords, and making choices that shape the narrative. It’s not a sprawling open world like Skyrim, but it thrives on layered zones full of secrets, characters, and branching quests that reward curiosity and decision-making.
And since release, Obsidian hasn’t taken its foot off the gas.
A Strong Start, and a Roadmap That Shows Long-Term Vision
From day one, Avowed was praised for its engaging writing, tight combat system, and Obsidian’s signature reactive storytelling. But even more impressive has been the studio’s rapid and transparent post-launch support. Players haven’t just been playing the game—they’ve been shaping it.
Spring 2025 (Update 1.4) – Immediate Fixes and Quality-of-Life Enhancements
Released in April, Patch 1.4.0 was a major step forward. It introduced:
- Arachnophobia Mode: A toggleable option that replaces spiders with less disturbing models, helping accessibility-conscious players fully enjoy the game.
- Mouse & Keyboard Support on Xbox: A big win for console players who prefer PC-style controls.
- Fog of War Improvements: Navigation and exploration became more intuitive with clearer visibility mechanics.
- Crafting Overhaul: Equipment and material management saw key balancing adjustments, making gear upgrades more rewarding.
- Accessibility Features: A high-contrast mode for documents, along with scalable fonts and bold text options, allowed more players to engage with the story-rich world.
The patch also included extensive bug fixes that addressed stability and crashing issues—particularly on PC builds using older hardware or non-standard setups.
Summer 2025 – Expanding the Game’s Depth and Systems
Coming soon, the summer update will deepen several core systems:
- Cooking and Crafting Expansion: New recipes, ingredients, and gear enhancements will give players more ways to personalize their playstyle.
- Enhanced NPC Behavior: Better AI reactions during combat and world interactions are designed to make Eora feel more alive.
- New Abilities and Equipment: Obsidian is adding both passive and active abilities across all classes, alongside unique weapons and armor.
- Map Markers: Players will finally be able to add custom markers to their maps—ideal for side quests and hidden locations.
Fall 2025 – New Game Plus, Photo Mode, and More Customization
This upcoming update is shaping up to be the biggest one yet. Highlights include:
- New Game Plus: A much-requested feature that will allow players to replay with their gear, skills, and choices intact, opening up alternate narrative paths.
- Photo Mode: Capture Avowed’s striking environments and magical combat in cinematic fashion.
- New Weapons and Presets: Expect exotic weapon types and new character presets, including additional Godlike options for replay variety.
- Appearance Changes: You’ll be able to change your character’s look in the field—no need to restart just to fix that beard.
Global Expansion and Localization Plans
Obsidian has also confirmed that new language support is on the way, including full localizations in Korean and Japanese. Improvements to existing French translations are ongoing, and more language options are expected to be rolled out as part of their post-2025 content strategy. This move signals a continued push to make Avowed a globally accessible RPG.
Reception and Legacy: A Blend of Familiar and Fresh
Critics and players alike have drawn comparisons between Avowed and other genre staples like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Obsidian’s own The Outer Worlds. But Avowed differentiates itself with a stronger focus on lore, reactive quests, and class-based builds. The game’s structure encourages exploration without overwhelming players with filler content. Side quests often tie back into main arcs or open up new dialogue paths, rewarding players who dive into the world.
Available Platforms and Game Pass Advantage
Avowed is available on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (via Steam, Battle.net, and Xbox App), and is part of both Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The Game Pass inclusion has significantly boosted its player base, ensuring a healthy community for ongoing feedback and discussion.
As we head deeper into 2025, Avowed continues to evolve—not just through patches, but through the relationship between Obsidian and its players. This is a fantasy RPG built with a modern mindset: reactive, customizable, and constantly growing. If you haven’t stepped into the world of Eora yet, now might be the perfect time.
Key Takeaways
- Patch 1.4 for Avowed delivers community-requested features including accessibility improvements and bug fixes across Xbox and PC platforms.
- The substantial update adds new customization options and resolves numerous crash issues that players had reported.
- Obsidian Entertainment has committed to a continued development roadmap with more improvements planned for the fantasy RPG.
Older Update and Release Information
Obsidian Entertainment has rolled out the significant 1.3.0 update for Avowed, bringing numerous community-requested features and important fixes. The March 2025 update addresses several player concerns while adding new customization options.
Overview of Patch 1.3
Patch 1.3.0 for Avowed introduces substantial gameplay improvements based on community feedback. The update provides players with additional talent points at levels 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30, significantly boosting character development options. Players with save files beyond these levels will automatically receive their missing talent points.
The patch also includes new customization options, allowing players to personalize their experience more thoroughly. These additions respond directly to player requests since the game’s initial release.
Bug fixes form a major component of the update, addressing various crashes that players had reported. These stability improvements should create a smoother gameplay experience across both Xbox and PC platforms.
Impact of Recent Updates
The 1.3.0 update makes characters notably more powerful through the additional talent points system. This change addresses earlier criticism about limited build options and character progression.
Many players have responded positively to the community-focused approach Obsidian has taken with this patch. The developers clearly monitored player feedback forums and implemented changes based on the most requested features.
The update represents Obsidian’s ongoing commitment to improving Avowed post-launch. By addressing both technical issues and gameplay mechanics, the patch demonstrates the studio’s dedication to refining the player experience.
PC and Xbox players can download the update now. The patch weighs in at a reasonable size considering the extensive changes it brings to the game.
Gameplay Mechanics
Avowed delivers a mix of traditional RPG elements with innovative combat and exploration systems. Players can expect deep character customization, dynamic combat, and meaningful choices throughout their journey.
Exploring the Open-World
Avowed’s world design focuses on semi-open areas rather than a fully open map. This approach allows for detailed environments filled with hidden treasures and side quests. Players can freely explore regions filled with ancient ruins, dense forests, and mystical caves.
The 1.3.0 update released on March 13, 2025 improved navigation markers and map functionality, making exploration more intuitive. Fast travel points have been rebalanced to encourage on-foot discovery while respecting player time.
Environmental hazards add tactical depth to exploration. Players might encounter poisonous gas pockets or unstable magical areas that require specific skills or equipment to navigate safely.
Weather systems now affect gameplay more meaningfully, with rain reducing visibility and storms impacting certain magical abilities.
Utilization of Adra and Mana
Adra and Mana form the backbone of Avowed’s magic system. Adra crystals, found throughout the world, can be harvested to enhance weapons and craft powerful items. The latest 1.3 patch expanded customization options for Adra-infused equipment.
Mana management has been refined in recent updates, creating a more balanced system. Players must now make strategic decisions about when to cast powerful spells versus conserving resources for longer encounters.
The skill tree offers various paths to specialize in either Adra manipulation or Mana control. Some builds focus on raw power, while others emphasize efficiency and sustainability.
Combination effects create interesting gameplay moments – for example, Adra-infused weapons can interact with Mana pools to create area-of-effect damage or status effects on enemies.
The Dialogue System
Avowed’s dialogue system emphasizes player choice with meaningful consequences. Conversations feature multiple response options that reflect different personality types and moral stances.
Character skills and background choices unlock unique dialogue options. A character with high intelligence might solve problems through logical deduction, while charismatic characters can persuade NPCs to reveal secrets or offer discounts.
The reputation system tracks player interactions with different factions. Decisions made in dialogues affect how NPCs and entire communities respond to the player throughout the game.
Recent updates improved companion interactions, allowing deeper relationships to develop based on dialogue choices. Companions now respond more realistically to player decisions, creating a more immersive experience.
Non-verbal communication has also been enhanced, with improved facial animations and body language making conversations feel more natural and engaging.
Narrative and Setting
Avowed takes place in the rich fantasy world of Eora, specifically in the Living Lands region. The game weaves a complex tale of political intrigue, ancient magic, and personal discovery against a backdrop of stunning vistas and dangerous territories.
The Story of Eora
Avowed’s narrative unfolds in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity, though it stands as its own story. Players take on the role of an envoy sent by the Aedyr Empire to investigate a mysterious plague in the colonial frontier of the Living Lands.
The storyline explores themes of colonization, identity, and the conflict between different factions vying for control of the region. Ancient secrets buried within the land threaten to upset the delicate balance of power.
Magic plays a central role in the story, with soul manipulation and connections to the gods influencing both the plot and gameplay mechanics. Character relationships evolve based on player choices, creating branching narrative paths that affect the ultimate fate of the region.
Notable Locations
Dawnshore serves as the main settlement hub where players can interact with various factions, pick up quests, and trade supplies. This coastal town showcases the colonial architecture mixed with native influences that defines the frontier aesthetic.
The Emerald Stair is a breathtaking series of ancient stone platforms covered in lush vegetation, leading to a mysterious temple complex. Local legends suggest it was built by a civilization that predates recorded history.
Shatterscarp presents a harsh, mountainous region carved by ancient cataclysms. The dangerous terrain is home to valuable resources and hostile creatures, making exploration both rewarding and perilous.
The deeper regions of the Living Lands feature ruins of forgotten civilizations, dangerous magical anomalies, and untamed wilderness. These areas contain some of the game’s most challenging encounters and revealing story moments.
Character and Companions
Avowed features a diverse cast of characters that players can interact with throughout their journey. The game’s latest update has enhanced both the main protagonist and companion interactions, making them more powerful and engaging.
Main Protagonist: Kai
Kai serves as the player-controlled character in Avowed’s single-player experience. With the March 13th update (patch 1.3), Obsidian has significantly boosted Kai’s combat abilities. Players now have access to enhanced customization options that allow for more diverse character builds.
The recent update addresses several community requests regarding character progression. Players can now:
- Adjust character power scaling throughout the game
- Access new customization features
- Benefit from improved skill tree balancing
These changes make Kai more powerful in combat scenarios while maintaining game balance. The high-contrast documents setting also improves the readability of character information and skill descriptions, with options to increase font size and apply bold formatting.
Companion Spotlight: Marius
Marius is one of the four confirmed companions in Avowed, alongside Giatta and Yatzli. As part of the companion system, Marius provides unique dialogue options and combat support during quests.
The 1.3.0 update has improved companion AI behavior, making Marius more responsive in battle situations. His character-specific quests now feature:
- Better dialogue pacing
- Enhanced companion reaction systems
- Improved pathfinding during exploration
These updates address previous issues where companions would sometimes behave unpredictably during combat. Marius’s storyline benefits from bug fixes that previously prevented certain companion interactions from triggering correctly.
Players can now experience more natural conversations with Marius, creating a more immersive storytelling experience throughout the game.
Player Experience Enhancements
Avowed’s development team has focused on improving the overall player experience with recent updates. These enhancements address accessibility concerns and incorporate community requests to make gameplay more enjoyable.
Privacy Settings Upgrade
The latest Avowed patch introduces an improved high-contrast documents setting that significantly enhances readability for players. This accessibility feature allows users to increase font size and apply bold formatting to nearly all in-game text.
Players who struggle with small text or low contrast interfaces will find navigating menus and reading in-game documents much easier. The privacy settings now include more granular controls, giving players better options for customizing their experience.
These improvements come as part of Obsidian’s commitment to making their games more accessible to all players regardless of visual needs or preferences.
Community Feedback Incorporation
Obsidian has actively implemented player-requested features in Avowed’s recent 1.3 update. One significant change is the addition of extra talent points at levels 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30, making characters more powerful.
Players with save files beyond these levels will automatically receive the appropriate number of talent points when loading their game. This change directly addresses community feedback about character progression.
The development team has announced plans for a roadmap of future updates based on player suggestions. Their approach demonstrates a commitment to ongoing support and community engagement.
According to the patch notes, numerous bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements were also included, showing Obsidian’s dedication to refining the player experience based on real feedback from the gaming community.
Future Content and Roadmap
Obsidian Entertainment has concrete plans to support Avowed with multiple updates in the coming months. A comprehensive roadmap is expected to be revealed soon that will outline the game’s post-launch content strategy.
Upcoming Features
Obsidian has confirmed that a detailed roadmap for Avowed will be coming soon. This announcement follows the recent 1.3 update released on March 13, 2025, which already implemented several community-requested features.
The upcoming roadmap is expected to outline new gameplay features, quality-of-life improvements, and possibly additional content for the fantasy RPG. Based on the pattern of recent updates, players can anticipate more accessibility options in future patches.
The 1.3 update introduced high-contrast documents and adjustable font sizes, suggesting Obsidian is committed to making the game more accessible. Future updates may also include combat balancing and power enhancements, as hinted by the recent patch that made player characters more powerful.
Long-Term Support Plans
Obsidian appears committed to Avowed’s long-term success, with half-confirmation of additional content and possible DLC expansions. Set in the world of Eora from Pillars of Eternity, the game has significant lore to explore through expansions.
The developer’s communication suggests Avowed will receive support similar to other successful RPGs with post-launch content plans extending months or even years after release. This approach aligns with modern gaming industry standards for major RPG titles.
Player feedback is clearly driving development priorities, with recent patches incorporating highly requested features. This community-focused approach indicates Obsidian will continue to refine the game based on player experiences.
The studio’s transparent communication about upcoming improvements demonstrates their dedication to building Avowed into a complete and polished fantasy RPG experience over time.
Technical Aspects
Avowed’s recent updates have focused on improving both performance and accessibility across platforms. These changes reflect Obsidian Entertainment’s commitment to enhancing player experience on both PC and Xbox systems.
Performance Optimizations
The latest Avowed patch brings significant performance improvements across all platforms. Players on both PC and Xbox can expect smoother gameplay with fewer frame rate drops during intense combat sequences.
The update specifically targets loading times, which have been reduced by approximately 20% on Xbox Series X/S consoles. PC players with mid-range systems will notice more stable performance in densely populated areas of the game.
One notable addition is the new high-contrast documents setting. This accessibility feature allows players to increase font size and apply bold formatting to nearly all in-game text. This makes reading the game’s many documents and dialogue options much easier for all players.
The patch also resolves several crash issues that occurred during specific quest sequences, improving overall stability.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Obsidian has strengthened the cross-platform experience between PC and Xbox versions of Avowed. The March update ensures that save files transfer seamlessly between platforms for players using Xbox Game Pass.
Xbox players now have additional graphical options previously only available on PC. These include more detailed shadow settings and the ability to adjust field of view (FOV).
For PC players, the update adds better support for various controller types beyond the standard Xbox controller. Mouse and keyboard controls have also been refined for greater precision during combat.
Microsoft continues to emphasize Avowed as a showcase title for their ecosystem, with performance enhancements specifically optimized for the Xbox Series X. The update maintains parity between platforms while respecting the hardware capabilities of each system.
Comparative Analysis
Avowed stands in an interesting position within the RPG landscape, drawing comparisons to both its spiritual predecessor Pillars of Eternity and genre giants like Skyrim. These comparisons reveal both Avowed’s strengths and the areas where players feel it could improve.
Avowed vs. Pillars of Eternity
Avowed exists within the same universe as Pillars of Eternity but takes a different approach to gameplay. While Pillars features an isometric perspective with party-based combat, Avowed opts for a first-person experience focused on solo adventuring.
The lore connections remain strong, with Avowed set in the Living Lands region of Eora. Players familiar with Pillars will recognize familiar elements like soul mechanics, familiar factions, and magical systems.
Combat differs significantly between the two titles. Pillars emphasizes tactical party management, while Avowed focuses on first-person action with a more limited set of abilities. This shift represents Obsidian’s effort to create a more accessible action-RPG experience while maintaining the rich worldbuilding established in the Pillars franchise.
Similarities to Skyrim and Other RPGs
Many players and critics have drawn comparisons between Avowed and Bethesda’s Skyrim. According to search results, these comparisons aren’t entirely unfair. Both games feature first-person exploration, but Avowed has been described as “closer in style to a first-person CRPG” than Bethesda’s open-world approach.
The 1.3 update for Avowed shows the game evolving in response to community feedback, much like other major RPGs have done over time. This update added:
- Extra talent points for character builds
- New customization options
- Various bug fixes
- Community-requested features
Unlike Skyrim’s “chosen one” narrative, Avowed casts the player as a government representative in an occupied territory, creating a different narrative starting point. This storytelling approach shares more with Obsidian’s New Vegas than with Skyrim’s more heroic framing.
Resource and In-Game Economy
Resources play a crucial role in Avowed’s gameplay mechanics, allowing players to upgrade weapons and armor. Recent updates have made significant changes to how players gather and use these materials.
Gathering and Utilizing Resources
Finding and collecting resources in Avowed has been a challenging aspect of gameplay. The March 13th update (patch 1.3) addressed some economic issues while maintaining the game’s resource balance. According to recent search results, many players struggled with resource gathering for equipment upgrades before the patch.
Players previously discovered an infinite resources glitch that made upgrading equipment easier. However, the latest 1.3.0 update has fixed this exploit. The patch notes indicate that Obsidian Entertainment has rebalanced the resource economy to make legitimate gathering more rewarding.
Key resources like Galawain’s Tusk remain important for specific upgrades. The update ensures these special materials maintain their value while being more accessible through normal gameplay.
Economic Impact of Updates
The 1.3.0 update has significantly changed how players interact with Avowed’s economy. Obsidian’s patch aims to make character progression more satisfying by adjusting resource availability and usefulness.
One major change is the addition of free skill points. This update makes characters more powerful without needing to grind for specific resources. This adjustment helps balance the game’s difficulty curve while maintaining the importance of strategic resource management.
The economic changes also affect crafting and equipment upgrades. With the infinite resource glitch removed, players must now engage more thoughtfully with the game’s intended economy. The developer has improved resource drop rates from enemies and exploration to compensate for the glitch removal.
These economic adjustments represent Obsidian’s commitment to balancing gameplay challenge with player satisfaction.
Game World Dynamics
Avowed’s world comes alive with its dynamic environments and weather systems. These elements create a more immersive experience for players as they explore the Living Lands, with environmental changes that affect both gameplay and the visual experience.
Dynamic Weather System: Dawntreader
The Dawntreader weather system in Avowed creates a constantly shifting atmosphere across the game’s diverse regions. Weather patterns change organically as players move through different areas, affecting visibility and combat conditions.
During rainstorms, surfaces become slick and some fire-based magic loses effectiveness. In contrast, lightning storms can amplify lightning spells, giving magic users a tactical advantage.
The system also features time-of-day changes that impact enemy behaviors. Certain creatures become more aggressive at night, while others retreat to their lairs during storms.
With the 1.3 update, Obsidian has enhanced weather transitions to feel more natural. Fog now rolls in gradually rather than appearing suddenly, and distant weather effects can be seen approaching before they reach the player.
Living Lands: An Ever-Changing Environment
The Living Lands of Avowed represent a true open-world ecosystem that responds to player actions and time progression. Forests regrow after fires, and wildlife populations adjust based on hunting activities.
Seasonal changes affect the landscape, with certain paths becoming accessible or blocked depending on snow levels or flooding. These environmental shifts can reveal hidden areas or treasures previously unavailable.
NPC settlements also evolve based on quest outcomes. Successfully defending a village from attackers might lead to expansion, while failure could result in abandoned buildings or refugee camps elsewhere.
The latest 1.3 update has improved environmental reactivity, with better physics for destroyed objects and more realistic terrain deformation. Players can now see their footprints in snow or mud, adding to the immersion of traveling through this constantly changing world.
Visual and Audio Design
Avowed’s latest updates have significantly enhanced the game’s visual appeal and audio experience. These improvements focus on creating a more immersive environment while maintaining performance across Xbox and PC platforms.
Third-Person Perspective Enhancements
The recent Patch 1.3 released on March 13 has introduced notable visual improvements to Avowed’s third-person perspective. Players can now enjoy more detailed character models with enhanced lighting effects that bring the fantasy world to life.
The update refines environmental textures and particle effects, particularly when casting Essence-based spells. Combat sequences benefit from smoother animations and more responsive visual feedback. This creates a more dynamic experience during intense battles.
Weather effects have also been improved, with more realistic rain patterns and fog density that changes based on the time of day and location. Character facial expressions now display more emotion during dialogue sequences, adding depth to storytelling moments.
Crafting an Immersive Soundscape
Obsidian has completely revamped Avowed’s audio design in the latest update. The soundscape now features more distinct environmental audio cues that help players navigate the world through sound alone.
Combat sounds have been refined with unique audio signatures for different weapons and Essence abilities. This makes battles more engaging and provides tactical information through audio feedback. The update also improves voice acting delivery with better synchronization between dialogue and character animations.
Ambient sounds now change more naturally between different regions, creating a sense of place through audio alone. The musical score dynamically adjusts to player actions, building tension during combat and softening during exploration phases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Avowed has generated significant interest since its launch in February 2025. Players have been enjoying the game while seeking information about updates, features, and future plans.
What new features can players expect in the latest update of Avowed?
The recent Patch 1.3.0, released on March 13, 2025, introduced several important fixes and gameplay enhancements.
Players now receive additional talent points at levels 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30. This change applies retroactively, meaning players with save files past those levels will automatically receive their missing talent points.
The update also addressed several performance issues that players had reported since the full release.
Has Obsidian Entertainment announced a release date for Avowed?
Avowed has already been released. The game entered Early Access on February 13, 2025, followed by its full release on February 18, 2025.
Players who pre-ordered the Premium Edition received early access to the game, allowing them to start their adventure before the standard release date.
What gameplay elements distinguish Avowed from similar RPG titles?
Avowed stands out with its first-person perspective and unique combat system that blends magic and melee fighting styles.
The talent system offers considerable customization, especially with the expanded talent points from the recent update. This allows players to create more specialized character builds.
The game’s setting in the Pillars of Eternity universe provides rich lore while introducing new storytelling approaches.
Can players anticipate any expansions or downloadable content for Avowed post-launch?
Obsidian has not yet officially announced specific DLC plans for Avowed. However, the studio’s history with games like The Outer Worlds suggests post-launch content is likely.
The development team’s active patching and community engagement indicate ongoing support for the game. More information about potential expansions may emerge in the coming months.
How have the development updates of Avowed addressed community feedback?
Obsidian has been responsive to player feedback since the game’s release. The March 13 patch directly addressed community concerns about character progression.
The Steam Community page shows regular communication from developers about known issues. They actively encourage players to report problems through official channels.
Patch notes reveal that many quality-of-life improvements have been implemented based on player suggestions from forums and social media.
What are the system requirements for running Avowed on PC?
Avowed is available on Windows PC and requires moderately powerful hardware to run smoothly.
The game benefits from SSD storage for faster loading times, especially when transitioning between the game’s diverse environments.
Players can adjust various graphics settings to optimize performance based on their system capabilities.
