2024 was packed with fantastic RPGs across various genres, and 2025 is gearing up to kick off with a bang with the release of Avowed. This highly anticipated first-person fantasy RPG is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass on February 18. Developed by Obsidian, the renowned studio behind hits such as Fallout: New Vegas, The Outer Worlds, Pentiment, and more, Avowed promises to deliver an immersive gaming experience. With just a few months left before its release, preorders for multiple editions of Avowed are now available, offering early access and a variety of bonus content. However, physical collectors might find the options somewhat limited.
While various editions of Avowed come with exclusive content, the primary preorder bonus is five-day early access to the full game when you purchase the Digital Premium or Steelbook Premium Editions before the launch. The early access period for Avowed begins on February 13. If you prefer digital content, the Avowed Digital Premium Edition is available for $90, including the full game and all digital content from the physical edition, minus the steelbook case, map, and letter. Additionally, you get the 5-day early access. For those who want the game without the extra perks or early access, a $70 standard digital edition is available for preorder on Xbox and PC via Best Buy, the Microsoft Store, and Steam. Interestingly, there's a cheaper way to purchase the game on PC: using World of Warcraft in-game gold, one of the payment options on Blizzard's Battle.net launcher.
As a Microsoft exclusive, Avowed will be added to Game Pass Ultimate for Xbox Series X|S and PC. While you won't own the game, it's the most cost-effective way to play Avowed at launch. If you desire the Premium Edition content, you can purchase an upgrade kit for $25 to access those perks, including five days of early access. Note that playing new Game Pass games at launch is exclusive to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Game Pass Ultimate costs $20/month, or you can buy prepaid 1-Month codes for $17 or 3-Month codes for $50 at Amazon. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also grants access to cloud streaming for hundreds of Game Pass titles, including Avowed. For those interested in cloud streaming or in need of a new Xbox controller, Amazon is offering a limited-time bundle deal that includes an Xbox Wireless Controller, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, and a one-month Game Pass Ultimate prepaid card for $75 (originally $137). Depending on your connection, cloud streaming quality may vary and won't be as stable or smooth as playing on console or Windows, but it's the simplest and most affordable way to play Avowed if you don't own an Xbox Series X|S or gaming PC.
There's also an $80 bundle with the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, offering a more reliable connection and faster performance. 4K Fire Sticks now support the Game Pass app, making these bundles a convenient option for playing Avowed. While Avowed shares similarities with other first-person RPGs like The Elder Scrolls series—such as branching dialog systems, first-person melee combat, and fantastical worlds to explore—a closer comparison would be Obsidian's sci-fi RPG The Outer Worlds, as both games feature smaller, interconnected zones rather than expansive, contiguous open worlds. Be sure to check out our latest Avowed hands-on preview for more details on the game.
Microsoft has a couple of exclusives releasing before the end of the year, including steelbook editions. On November 19, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 takes off, and you can preorder the Premium Deluxe Edition with a jumbo steelbook case for $130. You can pair this edition with Thrustmaster's T-Flight Hotas Collector's Edition Flight Stick for $100, which releases the same day as the game. Meanwhile, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to release on Xbox Series X|S and PC on December 9, with the Collector's Edition still available for preorder at Walmart.
Avowed is set in the world of Eora, the same fictional setting as Obsidian's Pillars of Eternity series. Unlike Avowed, these are top-down, party-based RPGs reminiscent of classic computer games like Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale. Obsidian assures that you don't need to have played the Pillars of Eternity games to understand the story of Avowed, but they are worth checking out for fans of classic computer RPGs and anyone curious about the setting. You can find PC versions of Pillars of Eternity and its sequel, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, at GOG. They are also available on Xbox One and PS4, and you can pick up a pre-owned copy of Pillars of Eternity II at GameStop.
Avowed is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S, Windows, and Game Pass on February 18, 2025.
Source link: https://www.gamespot.com
