Avowed: An Overlooked Double-A Gem That’s a Must-Play on PS5
▼ Summary
– Avowed was a successful and pleasantly surprising fantasy RPG upon its release, but it was quickly overshadowed by a crowded field of major RPG competitors in 2025.
– The game is best understood as a modern double-A title, intentionally limited in scope compared to blockbusters but making up for its visual shortcomings with strong character.
– It offers a refreshing, vibrant, and psychedelic fantasy world that contrasts with typical grimdark settings, focusing on simple escapism and the physical pleasure of exploration and combat.
– While not overly complex, Avowed features meaningful companion stories, humor, and satisfying freeform combat with deep weapon and ability customization.
– The game has been improved with substantial post-launch content and updates, making it a worthwhile and fun experience that deserves more attention than it initially received.
It’s easy for a great game to get lost in the shuffle, especially in a year packed with high-profile releases. Avowed stands out as a modern double-A gem that delivers focused, joyful adventure without the bloat of a blockbuster. Released a year ago to positive surprise, it now arrives on PlayStation 5 with substantial improvements, making this the perfect time to revisit a title that deserves far more attention.
Last year’s competitive landscape didn’t do it any favors. The role-playing game scene was dominated by massive hits and long-awaited sequels, creating a crowded field where Avowed’s achievements were somewhat overshadowed. It quietly secured a spot on year-end lists, but never quite captured the spotlight. This positioning, however, helps us see the game for what it truly is: a brilliantly executed mid-tier experience. It operates with intentional scope, trading cutting-edge graphics for immense personality and pure, undiluted fun.
To call its visuals dated in some animations would be fair, but that critique misses the point. What Avowed lacks in technical polish, it more than makes up for with its vibrant, psychedelic world and refreshingly upbeat tone. The environments are a stunning, trippy paradise of colossal, neon-hued flora, a welcome departure from the grimdark fantasy saturating the genre. This colorful setting perfectly mirrors the game’s core philosophy: this is escapism and adventure, pure and simple.
The experience is built around the uncomplicated pleasures of play. You’ll romp across beautiful islands, clamber over ledges, and leap into conveniently placed pools, all while thumping through hordes of enemies. There’s no convoluted social layer or demanding tactical system to master. Avowed is a game about doing, and it revels in that freedom. This straightforward approach doesn’t mean it’s shallow. While you won’t find a romance system rivaling the biggest RPGs, your companions have deep, meaningful stories. Characters like Kai and Yatzli offer genuinely touching and hilarious narratives, ensuring the world feels alive with humor and heart.
The freeform combat system is a highlight, encouraging wonderful theorycrafting as you mix weapons, magic, and abilities. The physicality of combat feels tremendous, with a satisfying heft to every blow. Experimenting with combinations, like freezing an enemy solid before shattering them with a hammer, creates moments of brilliantly destructive convergence. Exploration feels equally deliberate, with each region crafted like a purposeful playground filled with climbing points, hidden caves, and eccentric characters waiting with a quirky tale.
The PlayStation 5 version arrives with a wealth of new content, including fresh abilities, playable races, a new weapon type, and a New Game Plus mode. These additions are the graceful flourishes that enhance an already solid foundation. They don’t reinvent the experience but thoughtfully expand it, offering more reasons to dive back into its vibrant world.
In short, Avowed is better now than it was at launch, and it was already better than it got credit for. In a gaming landscape often preoccupied with scale and solemnity, this title is a much-needed burst of sunny, adventurous fun. It’s a compelling reminder that not every great journey needs to be an epic saga, sometimes, the most memorable adventures are the ones that simply let you play.
(Source: EUROGAMER)
