TechRadar Verdict
Avowed was already a pretty great action role-playing game when it arrived on Xbox platforms and PC last year, but its PlayStation 5 port is even better largely due to its excellent integration of the DualSense controller's adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. Coupled with an anniversary update absolutely brimming with fresh features and compelling content, the added immersion delivered through the gamepad easily makes this the best way to brave the Living Lands and battle the Dreamscourge.
Check Amazon Singapore Pros- +
Same great storytelling, action, characters, and world
- +
Anniversary update adds a ton of awesome features
- +
Incredibly immersive DualSense integration
- -
Could benefit from more PS5 Pro-specific features
- Best PS5 games: the 30 top PlayStation 5 titles to play in 2026
- Best PS5 exclusives – the 19 top games tailor-made for the PlayStation 5
- The 20 best PS5 Pro games to play right now
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
SFollowing in the footsteps of Stalker: Heart of Chornobyl and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Avowed is another former Xbox-exclusive that has made its way to PlayStation platforms a year after its initial release.
Review infoPlatform reviewed: PS5 ProAvailable on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PCRelease date: February 17, 2026
Avowed's arrival on Sony's consoles not only benefits from a year's worth of additional polish and bug fixes, but also plenty of fresh content and PlayStation-specific bells and whistles, like brilliant DualSense Wireless Controller integration.
DuelSense-fueled fighting
While I began an Avowed playthrough on my Xbox Series X a year ago, I didn't get to dig very deep into its rich, potential-packed universe. What I remember most from my brief time braving the Living Lands as an envoy of the Aedyr Empire is the game's rewarding combat, which feels better than ever on the PS5.
Fast, fluid, and superbly supported by weighty impacts of blades, bullets, and arcane abilities, the monster-slaying action was already satisfying as hell. But the combat's been amped up significantly thanks to the DualSense's immersion-ratcheting capabilities.
Obsidian didn't sleep on the gamepad's proprietary tech, fully leveraging its adaptive triggers and haptic feedback to make every input – from meaty melee strikes to slow simmering spells – feel as fantastic in your hands as they look on the screen.
Of course, this also folds in that fresh content I mentioned above, as the game's massive anniversary update introduces a new Quarterstaff for wizard builds. No mere reskin of an existing melee weapon, this two-handed tool of destruction allows mages to crack skulls up-close – as well as unleash powerful spells – in an epic fashion that'd make Gandalf proud.
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inboxContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Coupled with its next-level DualSense effects, it's quickly become my favorite way to bring death to the Living Lands.
An update worthy of the gods
While the Quarterstaff is my personal favorite addition, this sorcerer's best friend barely scratches the surface of the brimming update.
A deep photo mode – with plenty of options for customizing effects, filters, and color gradients – as well as a New Game+ option, will keep both existing envoys and new recruits busy. Beyond that, a trio of new races – Orlans, Aumaua, and Dwarves – join the Humans and Elves, bringing more character customization, perks, and fresh personality and lore to this already layered fantasy universe.
A slew of new difficulty modifiers also invite adventurers of all skill levels to tweak and tailor their experience to their hearts' content. Factor in the past year of smaller updates – adding everything from polish, bug fixes, and quality of life touches – and PlayStation fans are getting yet another definitive take on a title that was born on Xbox.
If the PlayStation version stumbles at all, it's in its lack of PS5 Pro-specific enhancements. It packs the now-standard quality (30 frames per second) and performance (60 frames per second) options, as well as a more in-the-middle setting for those with 120Hz displays. You can also chase faster performance by unlocking the frame rate, a welcome inclusion for sure. But there are no meaty ray-tracing features or other enhancements that allow you to truly harness everything under the Pro's hood.
And what is offered didn't seem to make much of an impact during my testing. In terms of both visuals and performance, my time playing on the Pro looked and felt pretty comparable to my Xbox Series X experience. Similarly, the standard PS5 and Pro seem to offer near-identical visual quality and performance, with no notable differences between the two.
Don't sleep on it a second time
While Pro owners might pine for more features to justify their pricey hardware purchase, the finger can be partially pointed at the fact that Avowed already played smoothly and impressed visually upon its release a year ago. That same sentiment translates to many other elements of the game, including its fantastic storytelling, colorful character interactions, and vibrant, varied world, covered extensively in TechRadar Gaming's original review of the game.
Unsurprisingly, upon its release, Avowed was another compelling, polished action-RPG from a studio that's been honing and perfecting its craft for over two decades, starting with 2004's Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. Sadly, it got somewhat lost in the sea of last year's acclaimed genre entries.
Thankfully, that oversight can now be remedied with its PS5 release, which not only reintroduces everything that was great the first time we faced its fungal plague but also brings a brimming treasure chest of fresh features, enhancements, and content.
Whether you're a PlayStation owner craving the most immersive experience from behind the DualSense or an existing envoy ready to wield the Quarterstaff as one of the new races, Avowed's second coming is as impressive as a Living Lands sunset…which you'll definitely want to capture in photo mode.
Should you play Avowed on PS5?
Play it if...
You missed out on Avowed the first timeGiven the glut of awesome RPGs that landed last year, you could be forgiven for overlooking Avowed's original release. That said, there's no excuse not to jump in now, as one of 2025's best genre entries is better than ever. If you're a fantasy RPG fan who missed this one the first time around, you're in for a real treat.
You've played Avowed, but have been craving fresh contentEven if you've already conquered the Dreamscourge, Avowed's anniversary update is reason enough to dive back in. Its New Game+, photo mode, and a trio of additional races offer fresh ways to experience the game, while its awesome, two-handed Quarterstaff is worth the price of admission (which is free if you already own the game) for wizard-wannabes.
You don't own an XboxIf you're a PlayStation stalwart pining for a new action-RPG, Avowed has you covered and then some. Like last year's Stalker: Heart of Chornobyl and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Obsidian's fantasy-fueled romp is another previous Xbox exclusive that arguably plays better on Sony's console thanks to its immersion-cranking controller.
Don't play it if...
You're a PlayStation 5 Pro owner looking to justify your purchaseAvowed offers up a visual feast running at a peppy framerate on the PS5 Pro, but the same can largely be said for its standard PS5 and Xbox Series X versions. If you're looking for meaningful Pro features and enhancements, you won't find them here.
Accessibility features
Prior to its PS5 release, Avowed already offered an admirable slate of accessibility options for camera adjustments, subtitle settings, difficulty levels, and even an arachnophobia mode for those averse to creepy crawlies. But the game's new version builds further on this solid foundation, especially in the difficulty department.
A new "custom" difficulty setting allows players to tweak over two dozen modifiers, adjusting everything from player damage and stamina to carrying capacity, enemy attack speed, and much more. But while Avowed more than delivers in most accessibility areas, it still doesn't offer the suite of colorblind options that have become pretty standard in other games.
How I reviewed Avowed on PS5
I explored The Living Lands for just over 40 hours, adventuring primarily on my PlayStation 5 Pro, but also putting plenty of time into my standard PS5 and Xbox Series X for visual and performance comparisons. I found the best, most balanced experience playing on my Pro in quality mode with the framerate unlocked.
I focused on testing the game's anniversary update additions, specifically its custom difficulty settings, new Quarterstaff weapon, races, and photo mode. I played primarily on my budget TCL 4K display, with HDR enabled and using its built-in stereo speakers, paying particular attention to the game's DualSense controller integration for vibration and audio effects. I also played a few hours on my PlayStation Portal with PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds.
First reviewed February 2026
Avowed: Price Comparison
No price informationCheck Amazon SingaporeWe check over 250 million products every day for the best pricespowered by 
Matt CabralSocial Links NavigationFreelance contributorA full-time writer and game consultant hailing from Lizzie Borden's hometown of Fall River, Massachusetts, Matt has been covering video games, tech, film, television, and theme parks for nearly 20 years. When not contributing to the likes of IGN, CNN, Forbes, Fandango, Netflix, Entertainment Weekly, StarWars.com, and many more, Matt can be found in the basement of a haunted asylum hoarding all the med-kits, ammo crates, and canned goods.
View MoreYou must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout Read more
Best PS5 games: the 30 top PlayStation 5 titles to play in 2026
Obsidian's Avowed is leaping from Xbox to PS5 next month
No, Skyrim’s Switch 2 port isn’t that bad — but there’s room for improvement
The 20 best PS5 Pro games to play right now
Best PS5 exclusives – the 19 top games tailor-made for the PlayStation 5
Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined: The Nintendo Switch 2’s new best RPG
Latest in Gaming
Xbox CEO reveals next-gen console codename Project Helix
The rare Nintendo PlayStation hardware prototype that was never released has been acquired by The National Videogame Museum
Control Resonant gameplay designer says 'this not a soulslike' but an 'action-driven' sequel that leans heavily on melee and supernatural abilities — 'The player is very much in charge'
‘Let us cook’ — Crimson Desert asks fans to wait longer for PS5 footage
The Division 2: Warlords of New York expansion will be available for all players during the series' Anniversary Season alongside a new, limited-time Realism Mode that is 'a reflection of what has always sat at the heart of The Division'
Ubisoft provides updates on the Assassin's Creed series, says its 'taking the time to deliver on its ambitious vision' of Hexe and Codename Invictus is 'a new approach to multiplayer in the franchise, but it isn't quite what the rumors have suggested'
Latest in Reviews
Adobe Lightroom Classic (2026) review: Perfect photo organization with time-saving AI at it's best - but it can be hit and miss
Munbyn RealWriter 405B dual-color thermal printer review
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man review — the legacy sequel we don't need
Avowed PS5 review: Obsidian's fantasy action-RPG is better than ever on PlayStation 5
Vladimir review: new Netflix show is spicy, hot and completely uncomfortable
GMKtec NucBox K16 mini PC review
LATEST ARTICLES- 1This $9 fix is a great way to watch the Australian GP even if you're on the move — here's what you need to know
- 2Avowed PS5 review: Obsidian's fantasy action-RPG is better than ever on PlayStation 5
- 3I am not sure what features I prefer on the WP500 Ultra: 1TB storage, a privacy kill switch, or the ubercool Predator-style thermal imaging vision
- 4Xbox CEO reveals next-gen console codename Project Helix
- 5This solar-powered laptop that you can dunk in a pool has something surprising that no rivals can offer