Obsidian Entertainment’s action RPG Avowed launched on PS5 on February 17, 2026 — almost exactly one year after its original Xbox Series X|S and PC debut. What was once a console exclusive is now available to PlayStation players, and it arrives with significant improvements.
What’s New: The Anniversary Update
The PS5 launch coincided with a free “Anniversary Update” (version 2.0) released across all platforms. The additions are substantial:
- 3 new playable races: Aumaua, Dwarves, and Orlans, each with unique camera heights and minor stat differences
- New weapon type: The Quarterstaff, a bludgeoning weapon with wand-style stun finishers designed for an “archmage fantasy”
- New Game+ mode with custom difficulty modifiers
- Photo Mode
- Magic Mirror: Character re-customization at camp
- DualSense haptic feedback on PS5
Note that the new races don’t get unique dialogue — Obsidian stated there were “no dedicated narrative people available” for that work. It’s a minor blemish on an otherwise generous update.
Performance on PS5
Avowed offers three graphics modes on PS5, matching Xbox Series X:
- Quality: 30 FPS at dynamic 1440p, upscaled to 4K
- Balanced: Mid-to-high 40s FPS
- Performance: Mid-60s FPS at dynamic 1080p
Digital Foundry notes that PS5 has a slight performance advantage in higher frame rate modes due to better VRR implementation, while Xbox Series X tends to be slightly sharper visually. PS5 Pro support is minimal — resolution caps mirror the Series X, with Obsidian not pushing the Pro hardware further.
The Price Is Right
Here’s the best part: Avowed launches on PS5 at $49.99 — a permanent $20 cut from the original $69.99 launch price. The Premium Edition is $59.99 (down from $89.99), including a digital artbook, soundtrack, armors, and companion skins.
Is It Worth It?
Avowed sits in the high 70s on Metacritic — a “good, not great” RPG. Combat and world design earn praise, while story and companion depth draw some criticism. At $50 with the Anniversary Update content, it’s a much easier recommendation than it was at $70 a year ago. If you’re an RPG fan on PlayStation who’s been curious, this is the time to jump in.
How the PS5 Port Performs
The PS5 version of Avowed runs at 60fps in Performance mode and 30fps in Quality mode with ray-traced reflections. Load times are under five seconds thanks to the SSD, and the DualSense features add subtle haptic feedback during combat and spellcasting. Frame drops that plagued the Xbox and PC versions at launch have been addressed in this port.
Visually, the PS5 version sits between the Xbox Series X and PC versions. Texture quality and draw distances match the Xbox build, while certain lighting effects fall slightly short of the high-end PC experience. For most players, the differences are negligible during actual gameplay. The port was handled by an experienced external studio, and it shows in the overall polish.
Is Avowed Worth Playing in 2026?
If you enjoy first-person RPGs with strong world-building and companion-driven narratives, Avowed delivers. The game sits in a sweet spot between the depth of Pillars of Eternity and the accessibility of Skyrim. Combat is engaging without being punishing, exploration rewards curiosity, and the writing quality is consistently above average. At launch, the game had technical issues that hurt reviews, but post-patch Avowed is a much better experience. PS5 players are getting the most polished version of the game to date, making this the ideal time to jump in.
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