ROUNDUP
AVOWED
Developer
Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Format
PC, Xbox Series
Origin
US
Release
February 18
Taking on a second demo of Obsidian’s RPG, we get our first taste of freedom in the Living Lands. Poking around the inviting countryside swiftly yields the trappings of adventure, such as conflict with grumpy bears guarding caves, and tantalising treasures placed just out of reach. The promise of discovery remains our great hope, in fact, in an experience that otherwise strikes as somewhat rusty. From woolly and imprecise firstperson combat to NPCs who blurt out their problems without so much as a ‘hello’, we could do with some incredible encounters and dilemmas to convince us that the trip is worthwhile.
RATATAN