A towering statue of a decayed knight, his armor corroded and eerily adorned with real-life mushrooms, has emerged in London as a chilling emblem of the Dreamscourge infection from the world of Avowed. Crafted by Xbox, this installation doubles as an artistic statement and a stark warning, drawing pedestrians into the grim reality of the game. Accompanying the statue, posters promoting Avowed on Xbox Series X|S transform the street into a gateway to the game's haunting universe.
To offer insight into the creation of this haunting installation, Xbox has released an official video on YouTube, allowing fans to delve deeper into the process behind this unique promotional endeavor.
Simultaneously, Avowed has garnered significant acclaim from Steam users, with 81% of Deluxe Edition players recommending it before its launch. This wave of positive feedback sets a promising tone as the Standard Edition becomes available today.
Gaming industry expert Jason Schreier has shared his insights on Avowed, highlighting his appreciation for its world design, storytelling, and combat mechanics. His enthusiasm particularly centers on the game's exploration aspect:
"Avowed has me hooked. Obsidian’s storytelling and combat were expectedly strong, but it’s the world’s design that stands out. Every pathway leads somewhere, every rooftop is accessible, and there’s always a hidden detail waiting to be found. Even after 40 hours, I keep coming back."
Schreier also pointed out a notable divide between critics and players, drawing parallels to the reception of Fallout: New Vegas:
"Some of the reviews surprise me. It’s the same situation as Fallout: New Vegas—critics were split, but players turned it into a legend. Avowed could follow a similar trajectory."
Despite an initial Metacritic score of 83, Fallout: New Vegas eventually ascended to the status of an RPG classic. This raises the question: Is Avowed poised to follow in its footsteps toward RPG greatness?