Key Facts
- ✓ Avowed launches on PlayStation 5 on February 17.
- ✓ The release coincides with an anniversary update featuring New Game+ and a photo mode.
- ✓ Avowed is set in the Pillars of Eternity universe.
- ✓ Microsoft has previously brought Forza Horizon 5 and Sea of Thieves to PlayStation.
Quick Summary
Obsidian Entertainment's Avowed is making its way to the PlayStation 5. The fantasy action RPG is scheduled to launch on Sony's console on February 17, which is exactly one day shy of the game's first anniversary.
The release date coincides with a significant anniversary update set to go live simultaneously across all platforms. This update aims to enhance the player experience with several new features. It marks a significant shift in availability for the title, which was previously exclusive to Xbox and PC platforms.
Game Details and Setting
Avowed is set within the same universe as Obsidian's Pillars of Eternity games. The narrative tasks players with investigating a fungal plague that has infested the world. The game has been well-received since its initial release, with critics highlighting its depth and quality.
Regarding the game's reception, the writing has been described as stellar throughout the experience. The side quests, specifically those that reveal companions' backstories, have been noted as particularly poignant. The game's visuals, combat systems, and character design have also received positive attention.
"The writing is stellar throughout, though the sidequests that reveal your companions’ backstories are particularly poignant."
— Jessica Conditt, Senior Reporter
Anniversary Update Features
The February 17 release on PlayStation 5 will be accompanied by a free content update for all existing players. This anniversary update introduces several highly requested features to the game.
The update includes the following additions:
- New Game+ Mode: Allows players who have completed the RPG to replay it while retaining all gear and upgrades from their previous playthrough.
- Photo Mode: Enables players to capture and share screenshots of their journey.
- New Weapon Type: Expands the combat customization options available to players.
- Additional Content: Further updates to improve gameplay.
Platform Availability Trend
The arrival of Avowed on PlayStation 5 is part of a broader strategy by Microsoft to expand the reach of its gaming portfolio. Over the last couple of years, Microsoft has moved several first-party Xbox titles to PlayStation, effectively freeing them from strict console exclusivity.
Other games that have made the transition to PlayStation include:
- Forza Horizon 5
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Senua's Saga: Hellblade II
- Sea of Thieves
Reports indicate that later this year, players will even be able to access a Halo title on the PlayStation 5, a development that was considered unlikely in previous years.
Critical Reception
Upon its initial release, Avowed garnered significant praise from gaming outlets. The game is described as gorgeous visually, with combat systems that are fully customizable to suit different playstyles.
Reviewers have noted that the characters within the game are intriguing and that the encumbrance limit is generous, allowing for ample inventory management. The overall experience is said to possess a 'real sense of magic,' contributing to its status as a favorite game of the previous year.
"Avowed is gorgeous, its combat systems are fully customizable, its characters are intriguing and its encumbrance limit is generous. There’s a real sense of magic about the entire game — and no, that’s not just the mind-altering mushrooms talking."
— Jessica Conditt, Senior Reporter