Avowed's Anniversary Update Is a Great Excuse to Return to Eora, but the PS5 Version Should Have Been Better

Why It Matters

The update demonstrates Obsidian's commitment to post‑launch support while the price cut could revive sales across platforms, influencing the RPG market’s pricing dynamics.

Key Takeaways

• Anniversary Update adds NG+, photo mode, new races.
• Difficulty sliders let players customize challenge and XP rewards.
• PS5 offers performance, quality, balanced modes with frame‑rate unlock.
• DualSense haptics missing; only basic rumble present.
• Price reduced to $50, improving value proposition.

Pulse Analysis

The Anniversary Update positions Avowed as a more complete entry in the Pillars of Eternity universe, delivering features long‑requested by fans. New Game Plus encourages replayability, while photo mode, expanded race options, and granular difficulty sliders give players deeper creative and tactical control. These additions not only polish the core experience but also align the game with contemporary RPG expectations, potentially extending its lifecycle beyond the initial launch window.

Performance on PS5 mirrors the Xbox Series X implementation, offering three selectable modes: a 60 fps performance tier, a 30 fps quality tier, and a balanced 40 fps at 120 Hz option with unlockable frame rates. While the visual fidelity is respectable, reviewers note occasional hitching and shimmering in the balanced mode, issues that persist from the Xbox build. Notably, the console omits robust DualSense features, providing only basic rumble, which may disappoint players seeking immersive haptic feedback. Comparatively, the Steam Deck version still struggles with sub‑30 fps performance despite aggressive upscaling, highlighting platform‑specific optimization challenges.

From a market perspective, the $20 price reduction to $50 reshapes Avowed’s value proposition, making it a more attractive entry point for new audiences and a compelling reason for previous owners to return. This strategic pricing, combined with substantive content updates, could stimulate sales across both console and PC ecosystems. As Obsidian hints at future enhancements, the game’s evolving roadmap may further solidify its standing in the competitive RPG space, especially if a Switch 2 port materializes, broadening its reach to handheld gamers.