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 afflicting the world of Avowed, is the work of Xbox. It serves as both a captivating art piece and a stark warning, immersing onlookers in the grim reality of the game's Dreamscourge infection. Accompanying posters advertising Avowed for Xbox Series X|S complete the immersive scene, transforming a commonplace street into a gateway to Avowed's captivating, yet ominous world.
To showcase the creation of this foreboding display, Xbox has released a behind-the-scenes video on YouTube, offering fans an exclusive glimpse into the making of this unique promotional stunt.
The game itself has garnered significant praise from Steam users, boasting an impressive 81% positive recommendation rate from Deluxe Edition players prior to its official launch. This overwhelmingly positive reception sets a high benchmark for the Standard Edition's debut.
Veteran gaming journalist Jason Schreier shared his enthusiastic appraisal of Avowed, highlighting its exceptional world design, compelling narrative, and engaging combat system. However, he reserved his highest praise for the game's unparalleled exploration:
"Avowed has completely captivated me. Obsidian's storytelling and combat mechanics were predictably excellent, but the world design truly shines. Every path leads to discovery, every rooftop is reachable, and hidden details abound. Even after 40 hours of gameplay, I'm still eager to explore more."
Schreier also acknowledged a disparity in opinions between critics and players, drawing parallels to Fallout: New Vegas:
"Some of the critical 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 path."
Given Fallout: New Vegas' initial Metacritic score of 83 and its subsequent ascension to classic RPG status, the question remains: could Avowed be destined for a similar trajectory towards RPG immortality?
