Obsidian Entertainment has released a significant anniversary update for Avowed, introducing new gameplay features, balance adjustments and quality-of-life improvements. Alongside the update, the studio has confirmed that Avowed is now available on PlayStation 5, expanding beyond its original Xbox and PC platforms.
The update marks one of the most substantial post-launch revisions to the fantasy RPG to date.
Expanded Gameplay Systems and Combat Tweaks
One of the headline additions in the anniversary update is a refinement of combat systems. Obsidian has adjusted enemy balance, ability scaling and progression pacing to improve flow throughout the campaign.
Combat responsiveness has been fine-tuned, particularly around spell casting and weapon transitions. Several abilities have also received adjustments to improve viability across different builds.
These changes aim to address early player feedback regarding difficulty spikes and build flexibility.
New Game Plus and Replay Incentives
The anniversary update introduces a New Game Plus mode, allowing players to revisit the campaign while retaining progression elements. This provides additional incentive for build experimentation and alternative narrative choices.
Replay value has been a recurring request from the community and New Game Plus offers a structured way to revisit story paths with greater player power.
Performance and Quality-of-Life Improvements
Beyond gameplay systems, the update delivers:
- Performance optimizations
- Bug fixes
- UI improvements
- Accessibility enhancements
Load times have reportedly improved and stability adjustments have been implemented across supported platforms.
These refinements focus on smoothing the overall experience rather than dramatically altering core mechanics.
Avowed Comes to PlayStation 5
In a notable platform expansion, Avowed is now available on PlayStation 5. This marks a shift in platform strategy for the title, opening it to a broader audience.
The PS5 version includes performance options and visual enhancements consistent with current-generation hardware expectations.
Cross-platform availability may also strengthen long-term player engagement.
What This Update Means for Avowed’s Future
Anniversary updates often serve as both celebration and course correction. In Avowed’s case, the combination of systemic tweaks, new replay modes and expanded platform availability suggests continued support rather than a content wind-down.
The addition of New Game Plus and combat rebalancing indicates that Obsidian is focused on long-term engagement.
Whether future content expansions are planned has not yet been confirmed.
Final Thoughts
The Avowed anniversary update represents a meaningful refresh for the RPG. Combat refinements, replay incentives and performance upgrades improve the core experience, while the PlayStation 5 launch significantly expands accessibility.
For returning players, the update offers tangible reasons to revisit the Living Lands. For new players on PS5, it provides an opportunity to experience the game with several months of post-launch improvements already in place.
Avowed Anniversary Update FAQ
What is included in the Avowed anniversary update?
The update includes combat balancing, New Game Plus, performance improvements, bug fixes and quality-of-life changes.
Is Avowed now available on PS5?
Yes. Avowed has launched on PlayStation 5 alongside the anniversary update.
Does the update add new story content?
The anniversary update focuses primarily on gameplay improvements and replay features rather than new story chapters.
What is New Game Plus in Avowed?
New Game Plus allows players to replay the campaign while retaining certain progression elements and build upgrades.
Are performance improvements included?
Yes. The update includes optimization and stability improvements across platforms.
