This looks to be as disappointing as Amalur, Starfield, Outer Worlds. Games where most components are well made but the Vision is boring barf that feels like grinding in f2p mmo games.
I'm about 8 hours in and I basically agree with this sentiment.
It feels like they spent as much time as possible on the core components of exploration/combat/upgrades, but there are missing mechanics that most people would expect in a $70 title.
No npc interaction like pickpocketing or theft. No "exploration" skills like lockpicking or movement abilities to access new areas. Npcs feel hollow, and not just because of poor lipsyncing. Relatively shallow rpg mechanics. No fishing or lockpicking mini games, etc, etc.
It feels like they decided in pre-production that they were going all-in on the core loop of exploration/combat/upgrades, and everything else would be getting minimal attention.
So the world has lots of verticality for exploring, combat is satisfying enough for what it is, and there's tons of loot to find. But it doesn't do any of those things
exceptionally well, and the game wears thin when it has to look beyond those elements.
It kind of reminds me of Solasta, in the sense that you can tell that the devs were relatively unambitious in their production goals, but that they hit those goals pretty well. It just leaves the players wondering why the game is missing features that we see from other games with the same genre and price.
With all of that said, the combat has gotten better in these 8 hours. I enjoy the mindless platforming exploration and finding unique items. The environments they crafted are very well suited for exploration. The core loop is solid, but it's way too lean for $70. I don't care about getting value for money when I buy games - but when I look at Avowed in my library next to BG3 and Elden Ring, I know in my heart that I got ripped off.
Still fun tho. 7/10 so far
