Combat: The combat actually feels pretty good. I like being able to mix and match styles. It severely lacks depth for me. Once I hit level 20, which was maybe around halfway, I'd seen everything there was to see and it became boring. Quality of gear should determine the stats/enchants of said gear which affects the damage received/inflicted to/from enemies. I do not like the current design. I also found it quite strange that parry was in the skill tree.

Items/Gear: I do not like the quality system/ upgrade system in this game. I like accessories, boots, gloves, uniques. I also think upgrade materials are too scarce. 1 merchant in each zone that sells an unlimited supply of the previous zones materials would've made me happy. Food is pretty strong in this game. The ranger upgrade for the better recipes has some pretty insane buffs.

Exploration: Gorgeous maps to explore that have been well designed. Great hiding spots for the treasure. It was fun looking for them when I hear the sparkle. It started to feel like a chore to get resources to upgrade the gear though.

Audio: Music was great, sound design was great I have no complaints.

Story: I enjoyed the story. It didn't hit like Tyranny did. The writing wasn't as mature. It was a good premise however and I enjoyed being in the world of Eora again.

Sidequests: A certain beast of a certain season didn't appear in a certain game. A lot of the side quests were actually rather uninspiring and I finished every sidequest 0.3% on steam baby.

I hate to say it because I love Obsidian and I love the Pillars franchise but Avowed was a let down for me.

On 3/16/2025 at 8:56 AM, Darren Heffernan said:

I hate to say it because I love Obsidian and I love the Pillars franchise but Avowed was a let down for me.

Did you read your own review?

"Everything was great. Game was a letdown." 

Hah, I thought the same.

Dear viates, I have been summerged into Avowed for the last weeks playing here and there. I didnt want to open a new topic for this. I have finally just finished the game (my first complete round, looking forward to a second round). This is a bleste incredible game. Seriously, this game should be more noticed out there. About your comment, quiet honest, saying that the sidequest were uninspired is such a contradiction, sidequest in this game are actually sort of part of the main story... Any sidequest I did I felt was giving me more clues about what was happening around and sort of feed into the main story.  About the writing not mature, not sure either, I think was damn good, just on point to convey with the overall art direction. Your final veridict is a bit strange, a let down? usually I dont play the whole game if I dont like it, and this is not short game if you go for all the sidequests and secrets. I am looking forward to do a second round as a ranger... 

Take care viates!