Xbox is giving Avowed room to breathe by delaying it until February 2025, but what this RPG really needs is a stage to shine on

Aug. 12, 2024

Opinion | Avowed looks great, but Xbox is running out of time to properly define this upcoming exclusive

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Which is all to say that Xbox will need to be deliberate and decisive in the ways it showcases Avowed in the six months ahead. I’m not necessarily saying that Avowed is an entirely unknown quantity, and a new RPG from Obsidian should be generally cause for celebration – the studio is a certified hitmaker, with a proven power for reshaping the genre – but I can’t shake this feeling that Avowed is still fighting for definition four years after its reveal.

Frankly, this isn’t a problem that’s unique to Avowed – but rather an issue that first-party Xbox games grapple with from time-to-time. It wasn’t until a few short weeks before its launch in May that the publisher really shifted attention ontoSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2; years were spent detailing the toolsets powering the adventure, and comparatively little time showcasing what that technology could render into reality. Hellblade 2 is undoubtedly the best-looking, most-unique exclusive that the Series X has, but I’m not sure that message reached beyond the most faithful platform owners.

Looking ahead

I think that was a missed opportunity, particularly when held up against the lavish presentations Black Ops 6, Perfect Dark, and South of Midnight were given. The summer showcases represent one of those rare moments where players are willing to forgo platform allegiances to see what the competition has to offer.Xbox hardware revenue is reportedly down 42%for the quarter, and it was the combination of enticing platform exclusives like Avowed and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, combined with outrageous Game Pass offerings like Black Ops 6, that could have helped turn the tide this year.

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What’s interesting is that Avoweddidget the deep-dive it truly deserves, though it arrived the day after the Xbox Game Showcase when the attention of the game-playing public was lost in the noise generated bySummer Game Fest. The 30-minute presentation arrived as part of the Xbox Podcast,and gave the world the first real look at Avowed in action– showcasing a wondrous visual design, a world worth exploring, weighted combat, and in-depth character and companion systems. Avowed looked fantastic in that showing, which has only been viewed some 275-thousand times on Xbox’s YouTube channel,versus the five-plus million views the core Xbox Games Showcase has obtained in the same location.

While you wait for more on Avowed, check out thebest Xbox Series X gamesyou can play today.

Josh West is the Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar+. He has over 15 years experience in online and print journalism, and holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Feature Writing. Prior to starting his current position, Josh has served as GR+’s Features Editor and Deputy Editor of games™ magazine, and has freelanced for numerous publications including 3D Artist, Edge magazine, iCreate, Metal Hammer, Play, Retro Gamer, and SFX. Additionally, he has appeared on the BBC and ITV to provide expert comment, written for Scholastic books, edited a book for Hachette, and worked as the Assistant Producer of the Future Games Show. In his spare time, Josh likes to play bass guitar and video games. Years ago, he was in a few movies and TV shows that you’ve definitely seen but will never be able to spot him in.

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