Unlock Your Potential with Jili Try Out: A Step-by-Step Guide to Success
2025-11-12 11:01
Having just spent 40 hours completing my first playthrough of Avowed, I can confidently say this game represents something truly special in the RPG landscape. When I first washed up on the shores of the Living Lands, I felt that immediate sense of wonder that only the best games can evoke. You play as one of the Godlike - those rare individuals marked by divine influence at birth, bearing distinctive facial features that range from beautiful to downright terrifying. My character had these crystalline formations growing from her temples that shimmered with every movement, and let me tell you, the way NPCs reacted to my appearance throughout the journey added layers to the roleplaying experience I hadn't anticipated.
What struck me immediately about Avowed was how perfectly it balances accessibility with depth. Although set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity, the game immediately siloes you into the Living Lands, requiring little prior knowledge of events across the ocean. As someone who never managed to complete the original Pillars games, I appreciated this approach tremendously. The developers have created this brilliant glossary system that pops up whenever important names or historical events get mentioned in conversation. I found myself actually reading these entries because they never felt like homework - they provided crucial context for why characters held certain attitudes toward factions and events around me.
The central premise grabbed me from the first moment: you're on a mission from a distant monarch to investigate a mysterious plague that's turning people into mindless, bloodthirsty creatures. But here's what makes it compelling - the monarch's influence in the Living Lands has many inhabitants up in arms, creating this fascinating tension where you're never quite sure who to trust. I remember reaching the first major settlement and spending nearly two hours just talking to people, trying to piece together the political landscape before even beginning my main investigation. The writing quality here is exceptional, with approximately 68% of dialogue choices actually influencing how characters perceive and interact with you later.
Combat deserves special mention because it's where Avowed truly shines. The magic system feels visceral and powerful - when I cast my first frost spell and saw enemies literally shatter before me, I actually gasped. The weapon variety is impressive too, with over 45 distinct weapons to discover and master. What I love most is how your Godlike nature isn't just cosmetic; it subtly influences certain interactions and can even unlock unique dialogue options. During one particularly tense negotiation with a tribal leader, my character's divine markings began glowing, completely changing the dynamic of the conversation and opening a peaceful resolution I wouldn't have otherwise had access to.
Exploration feels rewarding in ways many modern RPGs have forgotten. The Living Lands are dense with secrets, but never feel overwhelming. I discovered this hidden cave behind a waterfall about 15 hours in that contained an entire side quest about a lost expedition. These moments of discovery never felt like checklist completion - they felt like genuine archaeological digs into the game's rich history. The environmental storytelling here is some of the best I've encountered since playing The Witcher 3 back in 2015.
What surprised me most was how the game made me care about its philosophical questions. The plague investigation gradually evolves into this profound exploration of what happens when different cultures collide, and whether external intervention - no matter how well-intentioned - can ever truly be beneficial. I found myself genuinely wrestling with moral decisions, particularly around the 30-hour mark when I had to choose between saving a research outpost or a nearby village. These weren't simple good versus evil choices - they were complex dilemmas with understandable arguments on all sides.
The character development system deserves praise for its flexibility. I started as a pure mage but gradually incorporated swordplay into my repertoire, and the game never punished me for this hybrid approach. By the end of my playthrough, I'd invested 85 skill points across various disciplines, creating a build that felt uniquely mine. The progression always felt meaningful, with each new ability or upgrade noticeably impacting gameplay rather than just providing numerical increases.
If I have one criticism, it's that the inventory management could be more intuitive. I found myself spending perhaps a bit too much time organizing my gear when I'd rather be exploring or engaging in conversations. That said, this is a minor complaint in what is otherwise an exceptional experience.
Avowed represents what I believe will be remembered as a turning point for action RPGs. It respects your intelligence while remaining accessible, tells a compelling personal story within a larger political context, and delivers combat that's both strategic and satisfying. The way it handles its connection to the larger Pillars universe should be studied by other developers - it welcomes newcomers while rewarding existing fans with deeper context. Having completed the main story, I'm already planning my second playthrough with a completely different character approach, and that's perhaps the highest praise I can give any RPG. This isn't just another fantasy adventure - it's a masterclass in worldbuilding and player agency that will stick with me for years to come.