The game Avowed is set in a world where wood is as precious as gold.  Every chest and box you open, you'll find branches.  This might seem odd, but it quickly becomes clear why.  The game is all about survival and resource management.  The game follows a basic structure: explore, fight, get a quest, fight more, finish the quest, and level up.  But the real challenge is improving your weapons and armor.  This requires crafting resources like wood, leather, and metal.  If your tools are lower level than your enemies, combat becomes a nightmare.  You'll be constantly scavenging for resources.  Every branch becomes a treasure.

Avowed starts strong with a rich world of gods, plague, and political intrigue.  It promises big questions about empire, ecology, and autonomy.  But as you progress, the game feels repetitive.  Mid-game quests, like the three trials, feel tired and overdone.  The game tries to connect these to the world's lore, but it feels forced.

Combat in Avowed is a mix of different classes and weapons.  You can switch between melee, bows, and magic.  But in practice, it's best to stick to one.  The combat system involves balancing stamina and Essence, and directing your companions.  When it works, it's satisfying.  But when you run out of Essence or face stronger enemies, it becomes a grind.

Enemies in Avowed can heal each other and summon duplicates.  This makes combat complex.  You have to prioritize targets and constantly direct your companions.  But when enemies spawn in waves, it's impossible to plan ahead.

Avowed should be well-paced.  It has a limited scope with discreet areas and few main quests.  The companions are well-written and interact constantly.  They have depth beyond their relationship to the player.  But these moments are lost in the constant scavenging for wood.

Avowed will be released Feb. 18 on Windows PC and Xbox Series X.  The game was reviewed on PC using a pre-release download code provided by Xbox Game Studios.  Vox Media has affiliate partnerships.  These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.  You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.

Avowed: The Wooden Plight

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