My Review for Avowed (Hopefully there are some valuable insights for the devs).

[Proficiency]

Note: (+) means I like it (-) I don't like it (+-) mixed feelings (not bad, not exactly a resounding like)

RPG of the RPG 

(+) Character creation is sufficient; you can create a good or decent-looking character. (-) However, many of the options presented aren't really meaningful except for ability points and backgrounds. (+-) While background options give you unique dialogue choices with often unique responses, I think it's a bit of a missed opportunity that it doesn't include Race/Species selection, because a lot of NPCs could have easily responded to your racial background, giving more insight into the racial lore.

(+-) In terms of build variety, with a limited selection of skills, it is inherently limited compared to PoE2, which is a huge letdown. But I still understand what they're trying to do. It reminds me of how Dragon Age Origins dumbed down the classes from BG2 to basically: Melee, Rogue, and Mage. Fortunately, you're given just enough options to roleplay different characters with different play styles for at least multiple playthroughs.

Writings

(+-) Many of the earlier dialogue choices give me a Fallout vibe, as in funny reactions. Coming from PoE/Deadfire, this would have been jarring. PoE, in general, is quite serious but not depressingly so. It's a game that has a statement and will ask you difficult questions, so I expected meaningful dialogue choices to answer those difficult questions. But many times, the game gives you... comical answers. It's an option, but I feel taken aback by reading it. If this were The Outer Worlds, these choices would have fit right at home, not in Pillars of Eternity, I don't think so.

(+-) While dialogue checks appear quite often, most of them just give you an additional way to say "yes" or get extra information. It would have been better if they included some of the non-combat skills that are available from Pillars of Eternity 2.

(+) I like that background choices give you unique dialogue options and also unique responses (not the same response you would have been given with another background).

(+) The writing is good; I feel an instant connection between this game and PoE/Deadfire. But I would like to reiterate that the funny dialogue choices feel really out of place.

UI/UX

(-) I think the hand is too large. For me in particular, it induces a claustrophobic feeling and motion sickness since the animation feels "so close." If any of you have ever played Mass Effect 3, remember that one time you could mount a robot while trying to save Grissom Academy? I disliked that part (I know it's optional) because I felt like I was put into a box, and I was aware I was inside a box; I could see the box on the edge of my vision. It has become necessary for me to sheath my weapon in order to see much more clearly.

(-) It definitely needs a way to disable or reduce some of the effects because the arcane shield effect is really distracting.

(++) I love how the UI looks, and I love the tactile sounds when you select dialogue options; it's perfect. I want this in Pillars of Eternity 3.

(+-) I think the dialogue options would be better in the center of the screen; it's familiar. But I understand what the developers are trying to do, especially considering the "cinematic" design for conversations.

(+-) I miss the font ligatures; please implement them into the game

(-) I don't know what's exactly wrong, but I am having a hard time focusing while looting dead enemies and often rely on the map to locate loot (X mark). Maybe the environment and the shimmer aren't enough to accentuate the lootables, maybe the color just blends too well into the world around it, maybe it's the lighting; (patched 25 may) I think the Compass is way too small! Which means I have to actively glance it to look for the X mark; if it was bigger and more "perceivable" it would be more helpful!

General Stuff

(+) The area/level designs are fantastic. I like that there are stealthy approaches to avoid killing enemies (I don't like killing the shiitake mushrooms, especially the one that is definitely a Snow White reference in Emerald Stair).

(++) Giatta's voice actress, gods above.

(+-) I am internally debating whether it is necessary or not to put a stop sign at the entry of Naku Tedek. Maybe for lower than normal/hard difficulty? (since experiencing the full story is the point).

Overall, I think Avowed is a good game, and I think it's worth your time. I would, however, recommend you not pick it up at full price because 70 USD is just too much. Not only is it expensive, but it also sets the expectation sky-high that people will expect something extraordinarily good for the money they spent.

If I had to put a score on it, I would give it 7.8/10 (it's almost an 8, but definitely better than 7, and not halfway there, if that makes sense).

Edited May 25 by Proficiency