Spend a few hours in Avowed, and you'll quickly notice the NPCs' obsession with wood. Open any chest or lockbox, and you're bound to find a branch or two stashed away for safekeeping. Initially, this might seem peculiar, but soon you'll understand its importance in the game.
Avowed follows a partially level-based progression system. Players are tasked to explore, fight enemies, complete quests, and earn experience points. Accumulate enough points, and you can level up, enhancing attributes like Constitution for extra health and Resolve for increased stamina, or acquire new abilities such as Shield Bash for fighters, Parry for rangers, and Fireball for wizards. However, the real progression lies in improving the quality of your weapons and armor.
Enhancing your equipment in Avowed requires crafting resources like wood, leather, metal ingots, and specific plants. Using lower-level tools against more formidable enemies turns combat into a desperate struggle to survive. Every branch you find could be the key to upgrading your wand and gaining an edge in battle.
The opening hours of Avowed introduce players to a world rich with gods, plague, and political intrigue. Fans of Pillars of Eternity will recognize the immersive world of Eora, filled with questions of empire, ecology, and autonomy. However, as the game progresses, this specificity fades.
A mid-game quest involves three trials: Strength, Wisdom, and a third, less defined challenge. While these trials attempt to connect with the game's lore, they sometimes feel like a repetitive exercise. As players navigate these trials, the initial allure of the world might seem to thin.
In Avowed, combat is a significant focus, allowing players to mix between classes and weapons, including two-handed and single-handed melee, bows, and magical tools like wands and grimoires. Despite this flexibility, some players may find themselves gravitating towards a specific class, like wizardry.
Spellslinging involves balancing stamina for basic attacks and Essence for spellcasting. While this rhythm can be satisfying, it becomes challenging when resources run low or facing higher-level enemies. The complexity of enemy types can further complicate combat.
Enemies like priests and clerics, who can heal others, are prioritized targets. However, when these are paired with summoners, crafting a strategy becomes crucial. The appearance of new enemies mid-fight adds to the challenge, requiring players to constantly direct companions strategically.
Despite opening every chest and exploring shops, finding enough wood remains a persistent challenge. While materials like metal and leather might be sufficient, the scarcity of branches can hinder progress, especially for those focusing on wizardry.
Avowed is structured with restraint, featuring discreet areas, a manageable number of main quests, and four companions. Each companion is richly written, with preexisting relationships that add depth. Conversations among companions provide insights into their pasts and opinions on events.
Some quests stand out, bringing back the specificity that initially captivated players. However, these moments often get overshadowed by the ongoing quest for resources, particularly wood.
Avowed is set for release on February 18 for Windows PC and Xbox Series X. The game was reviewed on PC using a pre-release download code provided by Xbox Game Studios. Vox Media maintains affiliate partnerships, which do not influence editorial content. For more details, refer to Polygon's ethics policy.
