A colossal statue of a decaying knight, his armor ravaged by time and adorned with unsettling, realistic mushrooms, has materialized in London. This striking installation, a chilling testament to the plague sweeping Avowed's world, is the work of Xbox. Serving as both a captivating art piece and a foreboding warning, it plunges onlookers into the bleak reality of the game's Dreamscourge. Accompanying posters promoting Avowed for Xbox Series X|S transform a commonplace street into a gateway to the game's immersive environment.
To showcase the creation of this ominous display, Xbox has unveiled a behind-the-scenes video on YouTube, offering fans an intimate glimpse into the making of this unconventional promotional campaign.
The game itself has garnered significant acclaim from Steam users, boasting an impressive 81% positive recommendation rate from Deluxe Edition players prior to its official release. This overwhelmingly positive reception sets a high benchmark as the Standard Edition launches today.
Industry veteran Jason Schreier shared his enthusiastic appraisal of Avowed, highlighting its exceptional world design, compelling narrative, and engaging combat system. However, he reserved particular praise for the game's exploration:
"Avowed has completely captivated me. Obsidian's storytelling and combat are predictably superb, but the world design truly shines. Every path leads somewhere, every rooftop is accessible, and there's always a hidden detail waiting to be discovered. Even after 40 hours, I'm still exploring."
Schreier also acknowledged a disparity in opinions between critics and players, drawing parallels to Fallout: New Vegas:
"Some of the reviews are surprising. It mirrors the Fallout: New Vegas situation—critics were divided, yet players elevated it to legendary status. Avowed might follow a similar trajectory."
Considering Fallout: New Vegas' initial Metacritic score of 83 and its subsequent ascension to classic RPG status, the question arises: Could Avowed be destined for a similar journey towards RPG greatness?