Avowed's Anniversary Update: Obsidian Just Blew the Doors Off (and Opened Them for PS5 Players!)
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Obsidian's *Avowed* just dropped a massive 2.0 Anniversary Update, bringing highly requested New Game Plus, three new playable races, a new weapon, Photo Mode, custom difficulty, and a heap of quality-of-life improvements, all while launching the game onto PlayStation 5.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're tinkering with a spell, just trying to get a little extra oomph, and suddenly you accidentally manifest a whole new dimension, complete with talking badgers and a bottomless pot of tea? Well, Obsidian Entertainment just did something kinda like that with *Avowed*, only instead of badgers, we're getting bloody huge content drops and a PlayStation 5 launch. Talk about making an entrance!
I've been poring over the details, and fair dinkum, this isn't just a lick of paint. We're talking a full-on, reality-bending, game-changing 2.0 update for *Avowed*, landing precisely on its anniversary in February 2026. If you've been on the fence about diving into the Living Lands, or even if you're a seasoned explorer, it seems like there's never been a better time to jump back in. Obsidian, bless their busy little hearts – having churned out bangers like *The Outer Worlds*, *Grounded*, and *Pentiment* since their Microsoft acquisition in 2018 – clearly hasn't forgotten about their action RPG set in the *Pillars of Eternity* universe. They launched strong, sure, but they've spent the past year buffing, polishing, and now, dropping a truly massive update.
Now, thanks to the eagle-eyed folks over at Game Rant (and Derek Nichols' original deep dive), we've got the lowdown on what's actually brewing in this anniversary cauldron.
### New Game Plus: Time to Flex Those Magical Muscles
One of the biggest fan requests since *Avowed* first graced our screens was a proper New Game Plus, and by the gods, it's finally here! No more starting from scratch like some rookie wizard who forgot their spellbook. This update lets you carry over a hefty chunk of your hard-earned progress, turning you into a proper powerhouse from the get-go.
Think about it: all your spent attribute points? Kept. Unlocked abilities (barring some godlike ones tied to story progression, which, fair enough)? Still yours. Necklaces, rings, trinkets, unique gloves, unique boots, and enchantments? They're all coming along for the ride. Your unique weapons and armor will stick around too, though they'll be reset to Level 1 – a clever way to keep gear progression feeling fresh without stripping you bare.
But here's where it gets interesting, mate: while you're feeling all powerful, the world itself scales up to meet you. Enemy stats get a boost, and they'll even start popping up with elemental and physical modifiers. Imagine facing a Frost-immune foe whose attacks now deal frost damage, or a 'Glass Cannon' enemy that hits like a truck but shatters if you look at it funny. It's a brilliant move, ensuring that New Game Plus isn't just a victory lap, but a genuinely challenging proving ground for your master-tier builds. Oh, and the attribute cap rises from 15 to 30, so you can truly become the arcane titan you were always meant to be. Just remember, you'll need a save point from after the 'point of no return' to kick this off right.
### Character Creation: More Ways to Be You (or Someone Entirely New)
Feeling a bit... *human*? Perhaps a touch *elvish*? The Anniversary Update says, "Why not be a stout Dwarf, a nimble Orlan, or a towering Aumaua instead?" That's right, three new playable species have joined the fray, each with their own specific stat bonuses that add another layer to character creation. Dwarves get Might and Constitution, Orlans snag Perception and Resolve, and Aumaua are all about that Might. Even existing Humans and Elves get some love with their own stat bumps.
And for those of us who tend to get halfway through a playthrough only to think, "Actually, I fancy being a blue-skinned, big-eared little chap now," Obsidian's got your back. There's a mirror in your party camp that lets you change not just your character's look, but your *species* at any time. How's that for player agency? It's genuinely neat, offering a level of flexibility that many RPGs shy away from.
### Quarterstaffs, Photo Mode, and Quality-of-Life Wonders
Beyond just looking different, you can now *fight* different too. The Quarterstaff has arrived, perfect for those Archmage fantasy builds where you want to bash enemies while simultaneously flinging spells like a chaotic whirlwind of arcane energy. Complete with 'wand-style stun finishers,' no less!
And what's a beautiful, chaotic world if you can't snap a few pics? Photo Mode is finally here, letting you freeze time and capture your envoy, companions, and the Living Lands from any angle. Filters, character rotation – the whole shebang.
But where Obsidian truly shines is in the little things that make a world of difference. Custom difficulty modifiers? You've got 'em. Adjust player damage, enemy health, parry windows, companion stats, even merchant prices. You can essentially craft your perfect challenge – just keep in mind that the 'Path of the Damned' achievement requires you to leave those sliders alone, for obvious reasons.
They've also thrown in heaps of quality-of-life updates: skipping previously unskippable (and potentially tedious) conversations with a certain god character (thank the heavens!), new workbenches for upgrading gear outside of camp, improved lighting across all regions, and a whole host of bug fixes that should make the world run smoother than a perfectly brewed potion. Seriously, the patch notes read like a wizard's shopping list of 'things that make life better.'
### Avowed on PlayStation 5: The Console Wars Get a Bit Friendlier
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising, yet utterly brilliant, part of this whole update is *Avowed* officially launching on the PlayStation 5. That's right, an Xbox first-party title, now gracing Sony's console. It's a move we've seen increasingly from Microsoft lately – porting titles like *Hi-Fi Rush* and *Sea of Thieves* – and it certainly hasn't always gone down smoothly with some of the more ardent Xbox fans, who might feel their exclusives aren't quite so exclusive anymore.
But from a player's perspective, mate, it's a win-win. More people get to experience great games like *Avowed*. It speaks to a changing industry landscape where console tribalism might (slowly, painstakingly) be giving way to a broader focus on getting games into as many hands as possible. For Obsidian, it's a chance to bring their lovingly crafted RPG to a whole new audience, giving it a fresh lease on life and, hopefully, more reasons to keep those future updates coming.
So, whether you're a returning adventurer looking for a new challenge, a fresh face eager to explore the Living Lands for the first time on your PS5, or just a curious gamer wondering what the heck Obsidian's been up to – this *Avowed* Anniversary Update looks like a proper cracker. Get out there and make some magic happen, eh?
**Source:** Originally reported by Derek Nichols for Game Rant (gamerant.com)
Tags: Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment, RPG, Gaming Update, New Game Plus
Original article: Game Rant