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[seb85]

 

[Zug]

Well, I don't know either way nor claim to know. My only hope is that it doesn't send the Pillars universe to the graveyard. Beyond that I don't much care.

After the last 2 games of the franchise bombed, I wouldn't have my hopes too high.
(I loved PoE 2 personally)

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

Avowed is a mid game that will score in the 70s meta…”really good RPG”? Not really

I love his narrative that I’m a huge Concord defender just because I call out then dev cost BS

It is a really good RPG and is scoring well above “mid”. Feel free to make excuses for the scores all you want. It’s on par with the other quality games this gen. It’s good but it’ll be forgotten.

And you only feel the need to spend countless hours defending Concord because it’s a Sony game. You argued some people in this thread only “trash on trash games” when they aren’t Xbox, I can guarantee they wouldn’t have spent 1/10th of the effort defending the honor of a trash Xbox title like you do/did Concord. Kind of like how you’ll cry woke about all sorts of games but the second people do it to Intergalactic, you catch feelings. I wonder why that is. What makes Intergalactic different?

 

[Evil Calvin]

It is a really good RPG and is scoring well above “mid”. Feel free to make excuses for the scores all you want. It’s on par with the other quality games this gen. It’s good but it’ll be forgotten.

And you only feel the need to spend countless hours defending Concord because it’s a Sony game. You argued some people in this thread only “trash on trash games” when they aren’t Xbox, I can guarantee they wouldn’t have spent 1/10th of the effort defending the honor of a trash Xbox title like you do/did Concord. Kind of like how you’ll cry woke about all sorts of games but the second people do it to Intergalactic, you catch feelings. I wonder why that is. What makes Intergalactic different?

It's obvious why he's saying all of that (PS5 fanboy). Most normal gamers would not call Avowed 'mid'. It may not be in the top echelon of all-time RPG's but definitely a great, solid, fun RPG. Well above 'mid'. Best RPG I've played in years (along with KCD2 and Baldurs Gate 3).

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Not sure here but don’t you have Gamepass? Go try it, if it’s not your thing just uninstall it, no loss. Go through the tutorial so you reach the first big area and do some of the early quests, if it’s your thing you’ll know by then.

For me, after 9 hours, it’s definitely not up there with Skyrim. Not as big, very static, lip sync is mostly crap for a 2025 release, no life to speak of or interactivity, you’ve seen the videos I’m sure, it’s an oddly static game.

But the combat is good, like it’s really good mechanically. Dodging and blocking feels great, souls-like. Just played with mouse and keyboard and it’s superb even there, dodge on space bar, block on right mouse button, alt for second weapon loadout, just feels great.

And the map layout is really good. Similar to Indiana Jones in how there is stuff to find here and there, and there is some verticality and platforms are perfectly placed and traversal feels great.

Loot is boring though, mostly upgrade parts, but the upgrade mechanic is good so in the end looting still serves a purpose.

Combat, exploration, traversal, upgrading. That’s what’s carrying the game for me.

The script isn’t super interesting so far but I haven’t played the Pillars games so don’t know if they pull strings for fans that I don’t see. I like the tone and choices in conversations though. There is some humor in there, low key unhinged comments, no idea how much it affects the outcome but can make conversations fun.

I don’t know, for me it’s a bit of a surprise in how good it plays after seeing some harsh reviews. And there is extremely little jank too. Initial impression is probably a 8 for me but then I want to drop 1 whole point just for not doing the Bethesda style simulation and interactivity that I personally like. So maybe 7 in early game. But I’m still at the first area, things can go up the more I play. I played til 2 in the morning last night and started again directly after breakfast so I’m definitely enjoying my time here!

Couldn’t all of these things also apply to Forspoken?

 

[Topher]

Couldn’t all of these things also apply to Forspoken?

Why are you dragging Forspoken's tired old bones in here?

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Why are you dragging Forspoken's tired old bones in here?

Because his description sounds like Forspoken to a T.

Nothing wrong with that, but need to recognize it for what it is

 

[Dazraell]

Most normal gamers would not call Avowed 'mid'

 

[tTHANOSs]

What’s Spider-Man 2 currently at?

I believe spider-man 2 stayed in circanas top 20 chart for entire 2024 . I know we talking about pc numbers tho

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

It is a really good RPG and is scoring well above “mid”. Feel free to make excuses for the scores all you want. It’s on par with the other quality games this gen. It’s good but it’ll be forgotten.

And you only feel the need to spend countless hours defending Concord because it’s a Sony game. You argued some people in this thread only “trash on trash games” when they aren’t Xbox, I can guarantee they wouldn’t have spent 1/10th of the effort defending the honor of a trash Xbox title like you do/did Concord. Kind of like how you’ll cry woke about all sorts of games but the second people do it to Intergalactic, you catch feelings. I wonder why that is. What makes Intergalactic different?

Nothing about this screams "really good". It screams something like Forspoken where you can enjoy it on a streaming service for what it is - individual components of the title are "decent" at best, with some rough around the edges presentation.

It's funny how often you bring up Concord - far more than me - when you're the one defending Avowed as a "really good game" when it's basically the exact same thing as Concord - mechanically competent wrapped in DEI artistry, fugly and generic/horrid Concord style design that's completely forgettable and derivative to other better titles in the space with nothing unique about it.

How about them apples, Concord RPG defender?

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

Nothing about this screams "really good". It screams something like Forspoken where you can enjoy it on a streaming service for what it is - individual components of the title are "decent" at best, with some rough around the edges presentation.

It's funny how often you bring up Concord - far more than me - when you're the one defending Avowed as a "really good game" when it's basically the exact same thing as Concord - mechanically competent wrapped in DEI artistry, fugly and generic/horrid Concord style design that's completely forgettable and derivative to other better titles in the space with nothing unique about it.

How about them apples, Concord RPG defender?

Forspoken

Everyone should remind you of Concord any time you open your mouth. It should be your scarlet letter for the shameless posts you made for it.

Also, I already said Avowed is a good game that will be forgotten. You claimed Concord was going to be a smash hit. We are not the same.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Forspoken

Everyone should remind you of Concord any time you open your mouth. It should be your scarlet letter for the shameless posts you made for it.

Also, I already said Avowed is a good game that will be forgotten. You claimed Concord was going to be a smash hit. We are not the same.

And you love Concord the RPG aka "Avowed"

I'll be sure to mention it every opportunity I get going forward into the future how much you love this slop. remember, I never defended concord calling it a great game with tons of legs. just a competent, forgettable shooter. just like avowed is a forgettable RPG with some decent combat, just like Forspoken.

I never said Concord was going to be a smash hit after playing the beta. The opposite, in fact. I said going into the game when it was first revealed (not playing it) that it had potential, but playing the game's beta definitely told me otherwise. Not defending it nearly as much as you're defending Avowed, aka Concord the RPG.

We can call you the Xbox version of Rofif

 

[Buggy Loop]

And you love Concord the RPG aka "Avowed"

I'll be sure to mention it every opportunity I get going forward into the future how much you love this slop. remember, I never defended concord calling it a great game with tons of legs. just a competent, forgettable shooter. just like avowed is a forgettable RPG with some decent combat, just like Forspoken.

I never said Concord was going to be a smash hit after playing the beta. The opposite, in fact. I said going into the game when it was first revealed (not playing it) that it had potential, but playing the game's beta definitely told me otherwise. Not defending it nearly as much as you're defending Avowed, aka Concord the RPG.

We can call you the Xbox version of Rofif

Sure do that

You’ll become even more of a joke than you already are as if possible. Demigod clapping at your posts of course

 

[HeWhoWalks]

And I only feel the need to spend countless hours defending Avowed because it’s a Microsoft game.

Finally some truth.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Sure do that

You’ll become even more of a joke than you already are as if possible. Demigod clapping at your posts of course

Another person that is in love with a Forspoken/Concord tier title, I see. Claims he doesn't love slop though, so that's a bit of mixed messaging.

 

[damidu]

oof this is ending up worse than i imagined, obsidian existential threat levels of bad.
hope ow2 delivers, but that's another uphill battle, because first one was again as mid as it gets.
they lost the touch bad, after avellone left.

 

[Pop]

Damn not even a weekend bump. Crazy

Studio might not survive after this

 

[Buggy Loop]

Another person that is in love with a Forspoken/Concord tier title, I see. Claims he doesn't love slop though, so that's a bit of mixed messaging.

This $70 spent and 20 hours in the first area so far has brought me more fun than spider-man, horizon zero dawn and days gone combined James because Avowed is a lean game with tailored made map for exploration and not open world slop like the above titles. You can continue trying to be cute by repeating slop without having any idea about the game but it’s just comical to anyone playing it right now.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

This $70 spent and 20 hours in the first area so far has brought me more fun than spider-man, horizon zero dawn and days gone combined James because Avowed is a lean game with tailored made map for exploration and not open world slop like the above titles. You can continue trying to be cute by repeating slop without having any idea about the game but it’s just comical to anyone playing it right now.

Yep. I'm sure it does! You absolutely lova the sloppa! You also love CONCORD art design all over this title too.

Showing your cards!

 

[Killjoy-NL]

It's obvious why he's saying all of that (PS5 fanboy). Most normal gamers would not call Avowed 'mid'. It may not be in the top echelon of all-time RPG's but definitely a great, solid, fun RPG. Well above 'mid'. Best RPG I've played in years (along with KCD2 and Baldurs Gate 3).

Go watch the comments of any Avowed video on Tiktok.

It's the laughing stock on social media rn.
Most people will call it worse than mid, even moreso after the comparisons with Oblivion and Skyrim.

 

[Buggy Loop]

Yep. I'm sure it does! You absolutely lova the sloppa! You also love CONCORD art design all over this title too.

Showing your cards!

Trying so hard to make something happen by repeating it like a good little astrobot.

Not even the roach king is as unhinged as you are.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Trying so hard to make something happen by repeating it like a good little astrobot.

Not even the roach king is as unhinged as you are.

Trying to make something happen....like you trying to pretend Avowed isn't a 16CCU disaster or whatever with Concord aesthetics, a sterile world, and janky but competent mechanics. Oh, and it's better than every single Sony exclusive combined, apparently. The warrior in you is strong.

 

[Topher]

Because his description sounds like Forspoken to a T.

Nothing wrong with that, but need to recognize it for what it is

No....it only needs to be recognized that Fess is saying what he likes/dislikes about Avowed. That is not transfereable to any other game.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

No....it only needs to be recognized that Fess is saying what he likes/dislikes about Avowed. That is not transfereable to any other game.

And his description reminded me a lot of Forspoken. You can transfer comparisons as you see fit, you don't need to agree with it, but from my perspective there's an eerily similar number of pros/cons in similar areas.

 

[Buggy Loop]

Trying to make something happen....like you trying to pretend Avowed isn't a 16CCU disaster or whatever with Concord aesthetics, a sterile world, and janky but competent mechanics. Oh, and it's better than every single Sony exclusive combined, apparently. The warrior in you is strong.

Sony’s overhyped open world slop? Yea entirely combined. It’s comparable to marvel fans thinking that it’s amazing cinema , big sales big hype, pure braindead content.

Sony’s historical best especially in older days? No

Even if spider-man 2 and horizon forbidden west was gifted to me for free, I wouldn’t even install. I prefer my games fun.

In fact I come from a KCD 1 play through just a week ago with 75 hours in. While it’s a masterpiece in a sense and the genre it is trying to achieve, I’m having more fun and I’m more hooked to Avowed’s 20h of time spent so far than anytime in KCD even though there is a list of flaws in avowed. Fun is fun, regardless of checklists

 

[bender]

And you love Concord the RPG aka "Avowed"

Are we expecting Avowed to be pulled from all marketplaces and everyone refunded?

 

[Topher]

And his description reminded me a lot of Forspoken. You can transfer comparisons as you see fit, you don't need to agree with it, but from my perspective there's an eerily similar number of pros/cons in similar areas.

The games are not similar. That's why the comparison is absurd. That's my perspective.

 

[bender]

The games are not similar. That's why the comparison is absurd. That's my perspective.

I....agree...with... Topher ?

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

I prefer my games fun.

No, you just prefer them to be green

The games are not similar. That's why the comparison is absurd. That's my perspective.

One is an Action JRPG....one is more of a traditional WRPG....different, yes, but the pros/cons for each line up perfectly. Sterile world. DEI / unappealing art. Decent combat. Forgettable kind of game.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Go watch the comments of any Avowed video on Tiktok.

It's the laughing stock on social media rn.
Most people will call it worse than mid, even moreso after the comparisons with Oblivion and Skyrim.

No one on GAF has phones, expecting them to know what TikTok is a bit much TBH

 

[notseqi]

Imagine enjoying a game you're playing

The fuck is James shitting on this time

 

[bender]

No one on GAF has phones, expecting them to know what TikTok is a bit much TBH

TBF my BFF, not having a phone nor knowing what TikTok is seems pretty dreamy, IMHO.

 

[poodaddy]

The platform warring is so fuckin boring, and it's fucked this thread to shit.

Let's summarize: Avowed is a disappointment for many and is absolutely a flop, and is proof undeniable that Obsidian is not what they once were. Xbox is a fine platform, as far as consoles go, it is my favorite of the platforms in terms of ecosystem, (not necessarily library, but pretty fuckin close), so I'm saying this with a bias towards Xbox: the game is a shallow RPG, and that has nothing to do with Xbox, it's just not a very good game, and yes the several reboots and incendiary words of the art director probably did help fuck it over, and it does qualify as yet another example of how gamers will not be tolerating woke shit moving forward, and that's platform agnostic, as we can see numerous examples of this on both sides. People who just want an action game with little to no RPG elements will probably love the game, particularly if the woke shit doesn't bother them, and that's totally fine too, but the Steam CCU doesn't lie; the game's a flop, and that's regardless of anyone's childish allegiances to companies that don't know they exist, (so sad and pathetic), so let's all just accept that and stop calling each other names and getting heated over this software that is far more divisive than it should be considering how mediocre it is.

Alright, group hug.....or at least everyone put up their pistols and swords.

 

[Topher]

One is an Action JRPG....one is more of a traditional WRPG....different, yes, but the pros/cons for each line up perfectly. Sterile world. DEI / unappealing art. Decent combat. Forgettable kind of game.

DEI? lol....ok.

 

[bender]

The platform warring is so fuckin boring, and it's fucked this thread to shit.

Let's summarize: Avowed is a disappointment for many and is absolutely a flop, and is proof undeniable that Obsidian is not what they once were. Xbox is a fine platform, as far as consoles go, it is my favorite of the platforms in terms of ecosystem, (not necessarily library, but pretty fuckin close), so I'm saying this with a bias towards Xbox: the game is a shallow RPG, and that has nothing to do with Xbox, it's just not a very good game, and yes the several reboots and incendiary words of the art director probably did help fuck it over, and it does qualify as yet another example of how gamers will not be tolerating woke shit moving forward, and that's platform agnostic, as we can see numerous examples of this on both sides. People who just want an action game with little to no RPG elements will probably love the game, particularly if the woke shit doesn't bother them, and that's totally fine too, but the Steam CCU doesn't lie; the game's a flop, and that's regardless of anyone's childish allegiances to companies that don't know they exist, (so sad and pathetic), so let's all just accept that and stop calling each other names and getting heated over this software that is far more divisive than it should be considering how mediocre it is.

Alright, group hug.....or at least everyone put up their pistols and swords.

 

[Buggy Loop]

No, you just prefer them to be green

Green Garrus from Mass Effect and a race of the Pillars of Eternity ? Sure absolutely. Is this a gotcha concord something something? You do know PoE 2 deadfire also had those companions? Of course you don’t know. You ain’t a cRPG gamer clearly.

 

[Topher]

The platform warring is so fuckin boring, and it's fucked this thread to shit.

Let's summarize: Avowed is a disappointment for many and is absolutely a flop, and is proof undeniable that Obsidian is not what they once were. Xbox is a fine platform, as far as consoles go, it is my favorite of the platforms in terms of ecosystem, (not necessarily library, but pretty fuckin close), so I'm saying this with a bias towards Xbox: the game is a shallow RPG, and that has nothing to do with Xbox, it's just not a very good game, and yes the several reboots and incendiary words of the art director probably did help fuck it over, and it does qualify as yet another example of how gamers will not be tolerating woke shit moving forward, and that's platform agnostic, as we can see numerous examples of this on both sides. People who just want an action game with little to no RPG elements will probably love the game, particularly if the woke shit doesn't bother them, and that's totally fine too, but the Steam CCU doesn't lie; the game's a flop, and that's regardless of anyone's childish allegiances to companies that don't know they exist, (so sad and pathetic), so let's all just accept that and stop calling each other names and getting heated over this software that is far more divisive than it should be considering how mediocre it is.

Alright, group hug.....or at least everyone put up their pistols and swords.

Have you played the game?

 

[dorkimoe]

Have you played the game?

id wager over 90% of the people arguing against it have NOT played it. The games not GOTY but its definitely fun for me

 

[Topher]

id wager over 90% of the people arguing against it have NOT played it. The games not GOTY but its definitely fun for me

I'm having a blast with it myself. No, this isn't GOTY material. Not every game needs to be. But the parts that are good are really good. And that's why I'm having fun.

 

[Senua]

Imagine enjoying a game you're playing

The fuck is James shitting on this time

Anything that isn't blue.

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

id wager over 90% of the people arguing against it have NOT played it. The games not GOTY but its definitely fun for me

You don’t need to play it when you can watch incels play it online and make your opinion for you.

 

[Chuck Berry]

So this is getting compared to Forspoken now?

I might love it then

 

[Senua]

So this is getting compared to Forspoken now?

I might love it then

 

[bender]

Have you played the game?

Those two NPC's (one who looked like the Tenmu version of the blue guy from GOTG) who dropped F-Bombs on me right after the tutorial area was a special combination of terrible writing and terrible delivery...

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

After the last 2 games of the franchise bombed, I wouldn't have my hopes too high.
(I loved PoE 2 personally)

Yet we have Avowed.. but yeah, I know what you mean. Don't worry, I don't.

Exactly. Plus it’s not like people are returning to play vanilla Skyrim. They’re playing with new mods and overhauls. It’s one of those “evergreen” games.

I return to play vanilla Skyrim.

Striking distance of ATH.. but not very encouraging.. oh well, guess that really is that.

 

[PeteBull]

 

[bender]

 

[Topher]

 

[Senua]

 

[Topher]