Avowed Falls Short of RPG Greatness – Steam Reviews Highlight Mixed Reactions

According to recent Steam reviews, Avowed has left players divided. While some praise its engaging combat and entertaining world, others criticize its lack of depth, lifeless NPCs, and limited RPG mechanics. Many describe it as a "junk food RPG"—fun in the moment but ultimately shallow. From disappointing faction interactions to technical struggles on Steam Deck, Avowed seems to be an ambitious game that doesn’t fully deliver on its promise.

Note: This analysis is based on recent Steam reviews and may change as the game receives updates and patches.

A Fun but Shallow Experience

Many players describe Avowed as a "junk food RPG"—fun to play but lacking depth. While combat is engaging, it remains relatively simple, with only a handful of enemy types, including humans, undead, and a few fantastical creatures. The dialogue choices feel impactful in the moment, but the game’s ending is determined by just a few key decisions in the final hour.

The upgrade system is also seen as limited, and while the game provides some interesting moral choices, there’s no way to truly satisfy all NPCs. Despite these flaws, the overall experience is compared to an exciting roller coaster—short, thrilling, but not particularly fulfilling.

RPG Mechanics Fall Short

Some players feel Avowed struggles to balance its RPG elements. The game lacks faction depth, and progression is tied to material grinding rather than meaningful quests. The absence of true crime mechanics, such as stealing consequences or an AI-driven justice system, leaves the world feeling static.

Interactions with NPCs are also criticized. Many characters remain motionless, even in dramatic situations, making the world feel lifeless. While the combat system is praised, its forced dual-class design and emphasis on magic as a necessity limit player freedom.

Comparisons to Other RPGs

For those familiar with RPG classics, Avowed feels like a step back. While the game takes inspiration from titles like Skyrim and The Outer Worlds, it lacks the dynamic world-building and immersive elements of those games. Dialogue checks are reduced to simple unlocks rather than meaningful dice-roll mechanics, removing a layer of risk and strategy.

Players who enjoyed Pillars of Eternity (Avowed’s spiritual predecessor) find that its rich world-building and depth far surpass what Avowed offers. The recommendation for some is clear: go back and play the Pillars series instead.

Steam Deck Performance Issues

Technical difficulties have also been a concern, particularly for Steam Deck users. The game struggles to run smoothly without tweaks, requiring specific launch commands and upscaling adjustments to avoid crashes and visual glitches. Even with these fixes, frame rates drop significantly in cities, making certain areas almost unplayable. Despite these issues, some handheld players remain optimistic, finding the gameplay enjoyable enough to push through the technical struggles.

Final Thoughts

Avowed delivers an enjoyable but ultimately shallow RPG experience. The story and world have potential, but mechanical limitations, lifeless NPC interactions, and a lack of deeper RPG elements leave many players wanting more. It’s fun, but it doesn’t redefine the genre—leaving some to wonder if future updates or sequels might bring the game closer to the RPG greatness it aspires to achieve.