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Got this a couple weeks ago: this is Obsidian's new fantasy adventure-RPG. I really like it.
The gist is you are the envoy to the local overly-lawful and colonialist Emperor, exploring a mysterious disease spreading in a colony set on a vibrant and dangerous wilderness. You're also a "godlike" (sort of like an aasimar, but directly imbued with your divine nature by a god) but don't know which god is actually your sponsor, and the source of your godlikeness is part of the mystery of the story (which I haven't, relatively speaking, gotten that far into).
It's similar in style of play to the Elder Scrolls, but of course it being Obsidian is a little more story and quest-focused than "wander around and kill s%@# oh and also here's some quests." (Not that there is anything wrong with the latter). It is set in the same world as Pillars of Eternity I and II; it isn't a direct sequel but picks up I think about a generation or so later (and the events of those games are referenced). The system for choosing your class and leveling up your character is different from POE--it is much simpler and skill-tree based--but has consistent flavor. I just finished the first act, more or less, and there's a good balance between exploration and story and decent pacing overall. Writing is solid, with good dialogue and voice acting. The companions are... fine. Not up to what I expect from Obsidian but they're decently written enough, and I expect there may also be a bit of a slow burn there.
I'm playing on SteamDeck (docked to the TV) and it is struggling with the graphics, even though I would say the graphics aren't as good as, say, Baldur's Gate III, which runs smoother. But it is a very pretty game and I would expect anyone playing on a better PC or XBox is going to enjoy the graphics of it more fully. Good soundtrack. There are of course, bugs--it's Obsidian--but the game is being well supported and a major update just dropped recently, with more to come in Summer and Fall.
Highly recommended if RPGs are your thing (although if you want to wait until more patches drop, I support that).
I loved the PoE games enough to strongly consider Avowed. I've had friends spread second-hand rumours that it's a disaster, but I don't necessarily believe them.
I loved the PoE games enough to strongly consider Avowed. I've had friends spread second-hand rumours that it's a disaster, but I don't necessarily believe them.
I can be sure it isn't for everyone, but I can't imagine what'd make someone call it a "disaster." I bought it a few months after release so perhaps there were some early issues that have been patched? But it looks good and plays well. I think folks who want it to be more of an Elder Scrolls clone might be more disappointed at some of its features, but those features I consider among the game's strengths.
If you liked PoE I think you'd like this a lot, even though the gameplay interface and mechanics are different.
I wouldn't call it a disaster, the magic system they use slaps.
It's basically The Outer Worlds Does Oblivion.
I wouldn't call it a disaster, the magic system they use slaps.
It's basically The Outer Worlds Does Oblivion.
Yes. But combat is much improved compared to the Outer Worlds (or Oblivion, for that matter). They listened to the complaints about combat for the Outer Worlds and made it a lot more reactive and dynamic.
Plus the companions are so much more useful in combat. Mind part of that is because they turned off friendly fire, but still. But generally they don't get into my line of fire nearly so often.
I haven't used the magic system itself much but it looks cool. If I replay it I'll probably try a magic user (doing largely ranged/dex build. I would say stealth ranged build except I keep forgetting to use my very cool invisibility skill, which is not the fault of the game).