Support NeoGAF

[IbizaPocholo]

Talking about the state of Avowed after taking an exclusive early look at its one year anniversary update which brings in new playable races, NG +.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:16 Prior Updates
05:08 Anniversary Update
13:46 Thoughts
16:03 Wrap Up

This video provides an in-depth look at the Avowed anniversary update, previewed by Obsidian ahead of its official release on February 17, 2026, coinciding with the game's anniversary. The update represents the largest content expansion for Avowed since its launch, incorporating significant new features, quality of life improvements, and gameplay additions designed to enrich the player experience.

---

Timeline of Key Updates Leading to Anniversary Update


Update Focus & Features
March 2025- Community-requested quality of life features: toggle walking/running, static compass option, HUD toggle, FOV slider in third-person mode, customizable keybinds.
- Added 1 talent point every 5 levels starting at level 5, allowing more skill diversification.May 2025- Fog of war improvements: clearing fog on map completion, increased radius for clearing.
- Day/night cycle fixed to allow persistent nighttime outside camp.
- Added chest icons on minimap, cancelable power attacks for bow and arquebus.
- World interactivity added: splash effects on water, arrows physically interact with environment.
- Companion improvements: more talent points every 3 levels, reduced reliance on specific companion Yachtsley for dispel illusions (now also available via throwable grenade).Summer 2025- Expanded ability trees for fighter and ranger classes:
- Ranger: 7 new abilities (e.g., shadow step, fan of daggers, smoke bomb, frost trap).
- Fighter: 8 new abilities (e.g., driving kick, barbaric smash, stamina recovery, dual wield talent).
- Added unique items supporting new build diversity.
- Cooking UI overhaul with achievement assistance.[/td]

Anniversary Update Key Features

New Playable Races and Customization

• Introduces three new playable races: Dwarves, Orlands, and Amawa, complementing the existing humans and elves.​
• This completes the playable race roster aligned with the Pillars of Eternity series setting, excluding the godlike player character due to story constraints.​
• Each race offers unique attribute bonuses.​
  • A large selection of preset characters for quick start.​
  • Enhanced godlike facial customization with adjustable growths.​
  • Ability to hide godlike features without affecting gameplay.​
• New backgrounds for character creation allow for varied roleplay experiences.​

New Game Plus and Difficulty Modifiers

• New Game Plus (NG+) resets player level to 1 but retains all ability and attribute points, unique weapons, and equipment.​
• Attribute and ability point caps double from 15 to 30 in NG+, allowing for more powerful builds.​
• Non-unique gear, resources, and weapon/armor upgrades do not carry over into NG+.​
• NG+ requires players to briefly replay the game's ending to unlock it.​
• Players can start NG+ with their previous character or create a new character.​
• A mirror in camp allows players to change their appearance, including race, during NG+.​
• Difficulty settings now include customizable difficulty modifiers affecting health, damage, stamina, and enemy stats.​
• Increased difficulty can be paired with an XP boost, incentivizing challenging gameplay.​

New Weapon: Quarterstaff

• Added as a two-handed melee weapon with lower stamina cost but slightly reduced damage and stun effects compared to other two-handed weapons.​
• Suited for builds with limited stamina, such as melee-oriented wizards.​
• Compatible with abilities that boost two-handed melee damage but not with abilities specific to axes, swords, maces, or hammers.​

Additional Features and Improvements

• New photo mode with filters, free camera movement, and hide UI options.​
• Reworked conversations and lighting, making character interactions more expressive.​
• Added workbenches in the world for crafting gear upgrades without returning to camp.​
• Certain enemy encounters now respawn, preventing the world from feeling empty after clearing.​
• Price reduction of the base game to $50 USD.​
• Launch on PlayStation 5 platform announced.​

---

Key Insights and Conclusions

• The update significantly enhances build diversity, especially for fighters and rangers, addressing previous criticism about limited skill options in these classes.​
• The inclusion of all major Pillars of Eternity races adds strong thematic and roleplaying depth.​
• New Game Plus design balances progression retention with fresh gameplay challenges, encouraging replayability.​
• Quality of life and immersion improvements, such as world interactivity and respawning encounters, improve the game's longevity but do not fully address core immersion issues like NPC behavior or theft mechanics.​
• The quarterstaff's introduction offers a novel weapon choice that fits specific build archetypes.​
• Despite many additions, no fundamental changes to the game's core structure were made; players seeking major overhauls may be disappointed.​
• The update is a positive step forward, likely to attract new players given the price drop and PlayStation 5 release.​
• It remains uncertain whether further major updates will follow.​

 

[Hollowpoint5557]

I love this game so much.

 

[bighugeguns]

That cover art is stolen straight from the film Annihilation. Not touching this shit.

 

[adamsapple]

That cover art is stolen straight from the film Annihilation. Not touching this shit.

As far as excuses go, this is certainly a unique one.

 

[JohnnyFootball]

This game has had the largest fall from grace for me. I was beyond excited and ecstatic when the first trailer was shown and I became less and less interested when the game actually came out.

Literally nothing I have read or seen has given me any desire or interest to play it.

I say this as someone who mostly loved The Outer Worlds 1 and New Vegas.

 

[IntentionalPun]

Interesting. I'll probably re-play!

I do enjoy messing around but also like having build guides to reference; problem with updating this game is ther really isn't enough people to warrant anyone writing up guides. The game was already updated quite a bit and I couldn't find much of anyone discussing it.

A shame, it's a solid game.

 

[bighugeguns]

As far as excuses go, this is certainly a unique one.

It's good that unoriginal slop announces itself loudly on the cover.

 

[winjer]

The 300 people still playing this thing, will appreciate the update.

 

[adamsapple]

It's good that unoriginal slop announces itself loudly on the cover.

I see we're doubling down on not knowing what we're talking about now.

 

[bighugeguns]

I see we're doubling down on not knowing what we're talking about now.

Yeah man, totally.

 

[David_Android]

As far as excuses go, this is certainly a unique one.

as far as shilling goes this too.

 

[Humdinger]

That's a hefty update. I might pick this up when it releases on PS5 on 2/17. $50 isn't a bad price. I'm not expecting to be blown out of the water, but maybe it will provide some light entertainment.

 

[Kacho]

That cover art is stolen straight from the film Annihilation. Not touching this shit.

Huh?

 

[bighugeguns]

Huh?

Fucking hell, dude, LOL.

I'll give you an assignment, watch the film, maybe it'll click.

 

[TintoConCasera]

World interactivity added: splash effects on water, arrows physically interact with environment.

I think it's funny that this was added in a patch so long after release.

 

[adamsapple]

Huh?

Let him find more creative excuses.

 

[SpokkX]

Did they add more types pf enemies?

Bandits, skeletons, spiders, bugs and a MASSIVE amount of lizards and … bears??! Soo many bears

 

[TransTrender]

I'm shocked a year has already gone by. I thought this came out in October.

Did they add more types pf enemies?

Bandits, skeletons, spiders, bugs and a MASSIVE amount of lizards and … bears??! Soo many bears

Was there ever a lore explanation for all the bears?

 

[analog_future]

That cover art is stolen straight from the film Annihilation. Not touching this shit.

I see we're doubling down on not knowing what we're talking about now.

Huh?

Fucking hell, dude, LOL.

Let him find more creative excuses.

I really enjoyed Avowed and that's a silly reason not to play it, but honestly I can see what bighugeguns is referencing:

 

[AJUMP23]

I played this game for a few hours, but I did not enjoy it.

 

[Arsic]

I really enjoyed Avowed and that's a silly reason not to play it, but honestly I can see what bighugeguns is referencing:

Lmfao.

The level of mental gymnastics.

At least it's special Olympics… cuz it's totally retarded to think this was ripped from a movie no one saw. Big fucking stretch.

 

[diffusionx]

looking forward to skipping this again

 

[Kacho]

I really enjoyed Avowed and that's a silly reason not to play it, but honestly I can see what bighugeguns is referencing:

He should have added that picture to his original post for context.

 

[DAHGAMING]

The games abit woke and basic but I enjoyed it, finished it last Sunday. 7 out of 10 type of game, you probably have better stuff to play if your on PC and Xbox but if your a Soyny boy it will be the best game in a while and will keep you going for abit untill we chuck Forza 6 and Fable your way

 

[adamsapple]

I really enjoyed Avowed and that's a silly reason not to play it, but honestly I can see what bighugeguns is referencing:

He should have added that picture to his original post for context.

At least he's changed his reason for not playing the game since last August.

 

[MiguelItUp]

He should have added that picture to his original post for context.

For real. Ah yes, let's watch an entire ass movie for context, lmao.

 

[bighugeguns]

At least he's changed his reason for not playing the game since last August.

You know jimmies are rustled when homie starts digging into post history.

 

[Kacho]

At least he's changed his reason for not playing the game since last August.

This thread needs a reboot

 

[legacy24]

They sold us a LIE!

 

[adamsapple]

You know jimmies are rustled when homie starts digging into post history.

Homie, August wasn't even that long ago, lol. Surprised you forgot why you're supposed to hate the game in less than half a year.

Go see if Dunkey made a new video or something.

 

[The Cockatrice]

Nice, havent played it yet, but now should be a good time to jump in. It'll prolly have a sale before or after the update hits, so ill buy it then.

 

[bighugeguns]

Homie, August wasn't even that long ago, lol. Surprised you forgot why you're supposed to hate the game in less than half a year.

I was probably high at the time, anyways, enjoy your plagiarism.

 

[DeepEnigma]

They sold us a LIE!

I want to play that version that never existed.

 

[adamsapple]

Nice, havent played it yet, but now should be a good time to jump in. It'll prolly have a sale before or after the update hits, so ill buy it then.

It's getting a permanent price cut as well on all platforms, and will launch on PS5 with the new price. Not full price.

 

[Kacho]

Oh, so this update is more to sell a late port on PS5. They're doing the same with Starfield.

 

[AeonGaidenRaiden]

That cover art is stolen straight from the film Annihilation. Not touching this shit.

And Anhilation stole it from TLOU Wow theres colorful plants growing outside a dead body, is that like a patented trademark or something so others can't use similar imagery? Dumbest post in a while.

 

[Sephimoth]

> A game has been out 2-3 months
> Turns out its been a year
> what is time?

 

[The Cockatrice]

It's getting a permanent price cut as well on all platforms, and will launch on PS5 with the new price. Not full price.

It's already been cut on steam for a while now, which is why I think it'll also get a sale soon.

 

[adamsapple]

> A game has been out 2-3 months
> Turns out its been a year
> what is time?

Bro, you think that's wild.

The first covid lockdown started 6 years ago.

2020 to 2026 is a fucking blur.

 

[Gonzito]

Nice, havent played it yet, but now should be a good time to jump in. It'll prolly have a sale before or after the update hits, so ill buy it then.

I warn you though, the game has woke elements and the writing is questionable. The gameplay is the best part of the game but the rest is quite meh

 

[SmurfMustard]

as far as shilling goes this too.

You're really going all in with this one week old account.

Welcome back, i guess.

 

[The Cockatrice]

I warn you though, the game has woke elements and the writing is questionable. The gameplay is the best part of the game but the rest is quite meh

I'm aware, but surprisingly, I enjoyed Outer Worlds 2 quite a bit, so I'm willing to give Obsidian another chance.

 

[adamsapple]

I'm aware, but surprisingly, I enjoyed Outer Worlds 2 quite a bit, so I'm willing to give Obsidian another chance.

Some questionable character designs aside (brocolli hair on godlikes), Avowed is a fuckin' beautiful game. One of those rare games that ship with a 30/40/60 choice with an excellent 40fps mode which retains all the bells and whistles of the 30fps one.

 

[Senua]

I love this game so much.

 

[David_Android]

I played this game for a few hours, but I did not enjoy it.

And that is the good part of the game, the more you play the more you see its built like a scene built for a movie instead of an immersive wordl and game. every woman is strong and what not absolutely ridicolous, and marvel dialogue yet again, dont even let me start with the terrible performance and stuttering from developers who have no clue how to use unreal engine 5. the cpu gets hammered like theres no tommorrow and there is nothing going on even. no ai work days, pathfinding or anything they just stand there yet still the cpu works like its running 5 simulations of rdr 2 ai bhaviourin the background which runs close to 200 fps with the same Cpu.

microsoft has the coalition the unreal engine masters yet they are too stupid to let them help out.

 

[David_Android]

You're really going all in with this one week old account.

Welcome back, i guess.

What do you mean? he literally does nothing on here just ads and trolling and gif posting that make not even sense. hows that 10 cent per Microsoft ad post Adam? He coul dbe jez cordens account everythings considered.

I never had an account on here and i dont use vpn or anything. the administrator can clearly see that my ip adress was never used here and that i am in fact from austria, such things you surely know too right? They can easily see who is using an account who was already on here. even when using an vpn which are not as safe as most think, especially the free ones which all use the same server lol. but go ahead i guess.

 

[SmurfMustard]

What do you mean? he literally does nothing on here just ads and trolling and gif posting that make not even sense. hows that 10 cent per Microsoft ad post Adam? He coul dbe jez cordens account everythings considered.

I never had an account on here and i dont use vpn or anything. the administrator can clearly see that my ip adress was never used here and that i am in fact from austria, such things you surely know too right? They can easily see who is using an account who was already on here. even when using an vpn which are not as safe as most think, especially the free ones which all use the same server lol. but go ahead i guess.

Well, then just continue. But if I were new someplace I wouldn't start attacking members with decades old accounts during my fist week.
But you do you.

 

[ByWatterson]

Purple baby Skyrim with broccoli cuts.

Nah.

 

[lughnasadh123]

What the fuck is even going on in here?

 

[Zathalus]

Never understood the hate this game got from some corners. At worst you can say it's rather average, but you'd swear this game was some travesty the way some react to it.