The highly anticipated release of ‘Avowed’ is only three months away, and thanks to the teams at Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox Studios, MKAU got a hands-on preview of what to look forward to in this upcoming epic RPG.

Set in the same world as the ‘Pillars of Eternity’ series, Avowed takes you to Eora, where a strange ‘plague of the soul’ is spreading, turning infected people and creatures into wild, savage beasts. You play as an envoy of the Emperor, sent on a mission to the Living Lands to figure out what’s causing the plague and put a stop to it.

One of the standout features of Avowed is its impressive depth of customization. Players can fine-tune every aspect of their character, starting with their background, which shapes dialogue, initial gear, and abilities.

Whether you’re an academic scholar, a noble scion, or a war hero, your choices will influence how you interact with the world. From there, you’ll also be able to fully tailor your character’s look, voice, and pronouns, and choose your name. You can also determine your starting attribute and skill points across six distinct choices.

With four difficulty settings, there’s something for everyone, ranging from a relaxed “Story Mode” to the brutal “Path of the Damned”. The combat system in the game is dynamic and engaging, and you can build your character to suit your style, but the game encourages strategic experimentation, offering the ability to swap loadouts on the fly. No two battles need to be the same, and the diverse skill trees provide countless ways to tailor your approach to different enemies and challenges.

You can sneak attack unsuspecting enemies, hack them to pieces or set them ablaze with a Grimoire full of spells. Recruitable companions are a crucial part of the journey. As you progress, you can level up companions whilst unlocking new abilities for them, making teamwork a vital aspect of your strategy.

The Living Lands are vast and full of secrets. Exploration is encouraged with large maps and distinct biomes that separate regions of the world. Fast travel points unlock as you explore, making traversing the world a fluid experience. Along the way, you’ll encounter various resources to harvest and loot, which can be used to craft consumables that protect against debuffs or enhance your gear.

Party camps offer an essential respite from your journey, where you can rest, speak with companions, craft and enchant gear, and store items. These areas can be summoned around glowing, mystical crystals known as Adra Weystones, which are scattered throughout the land.

When it comes to visuals, Avowed looks absolutely gorgeous. The lighting, the mystical creatures, and the attention to detail make the world feel alive. The cutscenes are like something out of a Hollywood fantasy movie, with top-notch voice acting that even includes some clever humour. The game’s sound design and music make every moment feel immersive.

All in all, Avowed looks like it’s going to be a must-play RPG for anyone who loves deep customization, great combat, and a rich world to explore. Whether you’re crafting a unique character, tackling challenging battles, or just enjoying the immersive story and stunning visuals, Avowed is shaping up to be an epic journey.

With Obsidian’s knack for storytelling and world-building, plus all the freedom to play your way, Avowed is progressing to become one of the best RPGs we’ve seen in a long time.

Written by: Emily France