Avowed Review - Kinda Funny Gamescast: Detailed Summary

Episode Release Date: February 13, 2025

In this comprehensive review of Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment's highly anticipated RPG, the Kinda Funny Gamescast hosts delve deep into various aspects of the game, sharing their individual experiences, critiques, and commendations. Hosted by Snow Bike Mike, Paris Lilly, Blessing Adeoye Jr., Greg Miller, and Andy Cortez, the discussion offers a multifaceted analysis aimed at both avid RPG enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.

1. Introduction to Avowed

Timestamp: [34:30]

Snow Bike Mike kicks off the main content by introducing the primary focus of the episode: an in-depth review of Avowed, set to release on February 18th. He highlights the game's accessibility through early access for premium edition holders and sets the stage for a thorough examination by the team.

2. Individual Reviews

Paris Lilly's Perspective

Timestamp: [06:05] - [13:56]

Paris Lilly leads the conversation with an enthusiastic endorsement of Avowed, drawing parallels to classic RPGs like Oblivion. Having invested 52.2 hours into the game, Paris praises its expansive world and intricate lore, awarding it a 9.5 out of 10. She emphasizes the game's depth, comparing it to the nostalgic charm of 2006 RPGs, and commends Obsidian for delivering a "nerdy RPG" that resonates with longtime fans.

"Avowed gives me memories back to 2006 when Oblivion first came out from Bethesda." — Paris Lilly [06:14]

She further appreciates the game's encouragement of exploration and self-guided discovery, highlighting the rewarding nature of uncovering hidden treasures and lore without overt direction.

Blessing Adeoye Jr.'s Critique

Timestamp: [14:10] - [25:56]

In contrast, Blessing Adeoye Jr. provides a more measured review, completing 33 hours of gameplay and rating Avowed a 7.5 out of 10. Blessing acknowledges the game's strengths in combat and world-building but expresses reservations about the narrative and companion dynamics.

"The journey isn't doing it for me." — Blessing Adeoye Jr. [14:28]

Blessing points out issues such as repetitive combat scenarios and a lackluster main story that fails to fully engage. She criticizes the limited depth of companion interactions and the feeling that pivotal narrative moments lack meaningful payoff. Nonetheless, she recognizes the enjoyable aspects of combat mechanics and exploration, advocating for Avowed as a competent and fun RPG despite its shortcomings.

Greg Miller's Analysis

Timestamp: [14:10] - [20:10]

Greg Miller echoes Blessing's sentiments, offering his perspective after 31 hours of gameplay. He rates the game a 7 out of 10 and shares his frustrations with certain gameplay mechanics, such as the inability to parry effectively when dual-wielding weapons. Greg appreciates the creativity allowed in combat builds but laments the permanent nature of enchantments, which restricts experimentation.

"I wish resolve also said, I wish intellect and resolve really used for a lot of conversations." — Greg Miller [74:55]

Despite these critiques, Greg remains optimistic about the game's potential, expressing a desire to continue playing to uncover more of its depth and narrative nuances.

Andy Cortez's Observations

Timestamp: [20:18] - [31:14]

Andy Cortez contributes briefly to the review, sharing his tentative 7 out of 10 rating after dedicating 30 hours to Avowed. While still exploring, Andy notes similar frustrations with companion dynamics and narrative engagement but appreciates the combat's flexibility and the freedom it offers in character builds.

3. Combat System Discussion

Timestamp: [34:30] - [58:04]

The conversation shifts to a detailed examination of Avowed's combat system. The hosts discuss the free-form combat mechanics, which allow players to dual-wield weapons and choose from various abilities across fighter, wizard, and stealth archer classes.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. highlights the repetitive nature of enemy encounters, despite enjoying the flexibility in weapon and ability selection.

"Combat is a lot of fun. Combat freedom and flexibility is awesome as hell." — Blessing Adeoye Jr. [56:22]

Greg Miller appreciates the ability to customize attacks, such as enchanting pistols for additional fire damage but criticizes the system's limitations regarding dual-wielding and parrying mechanics.

"I wish there was an option that just made left click attack with both and then right click still parry." — Greg Miller [51:56]

Paris Lilly and Snow Bike Mike commend the combat's dynamic interactions with the environment, such as using parkour and abilities like freezing enemies to gain tactical advantages.

4. Character Customization

Timestamp: [34:30] - [48:37]

The hosts delve into Avowed's character creation system, discussing the limitations and possibilities it offers. While the system provides a degree of customization with sliders and options, some hosts express dissatisfaction with certain aesthetic choices, such as the "fungus eyebrows" and limited facial feature adjustments.

"I love that there's more options." — Greg Miller [41:43]

The ability to toggle between first-person and third-person perspectives is discussed, with mixed opinions on its integration. While the first-person view is praised for its immersive combat experience, the third-person mode is seen as less fluid and not as integral to the gameplay.

5. Story and Companions

Timestamp: [34:30] - [62:06]

A significant portion of the review focuses on Avowed's narrative depth and companion interactions. Blessing Adeoye Jr. and Greg Miller both express disappointment in the lack of engaging storylines and meaningful relationships with companions. Blessing points out the superficial development of companions, leading to a disconnect that diminishes the overall storytelling experience.

"I found myself listless with Avowed was none of what Paris just talked about." — Blessing Adeoye Jr. [14:10]

However, Paris Lilly shares instances where companion choices impact the game’s outcome, suggesting that while the foundational narrative may be lacking, there are moments where player decisions influence the story's progression and relationships.

6. Technical Aspects (Graphics and Performance)

Timestamp: [34:30] - [42:46]

The team addresses Avowed's technical performance, particularly its graphical fidelity and optimization. The game boasts stunning environments enhanced by ray tracing, offering visually impressive landscapes and dynamic lighting effects.

"The environments look stunning and amazing." — Greg Miller [42:38]

However, some technical issues are noted, such as non-functional Nvidia DLSS and AMD FSR options, which hinder performance improvements. Hosts also mention difficulties with frame rates and graphical glitches, impacting the overall experience.

"The enchantment table helps you kind of further upgrade it." — Greg Miller [51:26]

Despite these setbacks, the consensus is that Avowed's visual appeal is a strong point, contributing positively to immersion and exploration.

7. Overall Impressions and Scores

Timestamp: [80:36] - [82:03]

As the discussion wraps up, each host provides their final thoughts and ratings for Avowed:

• Paris Lilly: 9.5/10 – Praises the game's depth, exploration, and adherence to classic RPG elements.

  "I thought this game was excellent. I really. It really resonated with me as a nerdy RPG." — Paris Lilly [80:48]

• Blessing Adeoye Jr.: 7.5/10 – Appreciates the combat and exploration but criticizes narrative and companion depth.

  "I gave it a 7.5. I didn't get the story and companionship I wanted out of it, but I had a great time playing it." — Blessing Adeoye Jr. [81:04]

• Greg Miller: 7/10 – Enjoys combat mechanics and graphical fidelity but is hindered by narrative and technical issues.

  "I'm still thinking about it, but I gave it a 7 out of 10." — Greg Miller [81:27]

• Andy Cortez: 7/10 – Shares similar sentiments to Blessing and Greg, noting enjoyment in gameplay despite narrative shortcomings.

The hosts collectively recommend Avowed for fans of open-world RPGs who prioritize combat and exploration over narrative depth, while also acknowledging areas where Obsidian could enhance future iterations or expansions.

8. Conclusion

Timestamp: [82:03]

Snow Bike Mike concludes the episode by reiterating the release date and encouraging listeners to share their own experiences with Avowed. The hosts express a general appreciation for Obsidian's efforts in creating a visually stunning and mechanically engaging RPG, while also voicing hopes for narrative improvements in potential future updates or DLCs.

"Thank you for watching the review here on today's Gamescast. Enjoy the stream after this and goodbye everyone." — Snow Bike Mike [82:03]

Notable Quotes:

• "Avowed gives me memories back to 2006 when Oblivion first came out from Bethesda." — Paris Lilly [06:14]

• "The journey isn't doing it for me." — Blessing Adeoye Jr. [14:28]

• "I wish resolve also said, I wish intellect and resolve really used for a lot of conversations." — Greg Miller [74:55]

• "Combat freedom and flexibility is awesome as hell." — Blessing Adeoye Jr. [56:22]

• "I had to run around and no, I found it." — Greg Miller [72:49]

This detailed review encapsulates the multifaceted discussions surrounding Avowed, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of the game's strengths and areas for improvement. Whether you're considering diving into the game or are simply curious about the hosts' perspectives, this summary offers valuable insights gleaned from their extensive playthroughs.