Why you possibly can belief TechRadar
We spend hours testing each services or products we evaluation, so that you could be certain you are shopping for the most effective. Discover out extra about how we take a look at.
SFollowing within the footsteps of Stalker: Coronary heart of Chornobyl and Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle, Avowed is one other former Xbox-exclusive that has made its approach to PlayStation platforms a 12 months after its preliminary launch.
Evaluation information
Platform reviewed: PS5 Professional
Obtainable on: PS5, Xbox Collection X|S, PC
Launch date: February 17, 2026
DuelSense-fueled preventing
Whereas I started an Avowed playthrough on my Xbox Collection X a 12 months in the past, I did not get to dig very deep into its wealthy, potential-packed universe. What I bear in mind most from my transient time braving the Dwelling Lands as an envoy of the Aedyr Empire is the sport’s rewarding fight, which feels higher than ever on the PS5.
Quick, fluid, and beautifully supported by weighty impacts of blades, bullets, and arcane skills, the monster-slaying motion was already satisfying as hell. However the fight’s been amped up considerably due to the DualSense’s immersion-ratcheting capabilities.
Obsidian did not sleep on the gamepad’s proprietary tech, absolutely leveraging its adaptive triggers and haptic suggestions to make each enter – from meaty melee strikes to gradual simmering spells – really feel as incredible in your fingers as they give the impression of being on the display.
In fact, this additionally folds in that recent content material I discussed above, as the sport’s huge anniversary replace introduces a brand new Quarterstaff for wizard builds. No mere reskin of an present melee weapon, this two-handed instrument of destruction permits mages to crack skulls up-close – in addition to unleash highly effective spells – in an epic style that’d make Gandalf proud.
Coupled with its next-level DualSense results, it is shortly change into my favourite approach to convey dying to the Dwelling Lands.
An replace worthy of the gods
Whereas the Quarterstaff is my private favourite addition, this sorcerer’s greatest pal barely scratches the floor of the brimming replace.
A deep picture mode – with loads of choices for customizing results, filters, and shade gradients – in addition to a New Recreation+ possibility, will preserve each present envoys and new recruits busy. Past that, a trio of recent races – Orlans, Aumaua, and Dwarves – be a part of the People and Elves, bringing extra character customization, perks, and recent character and lore to this already layered fantasy universe.
A slew of recent issue modifiers additionally invite adventurers of all ability ranges to tweak and tailor their expertise to their hearts’ content material. Issue up to now 12 months of smaller updates – including every part from polish, bug fixes, and high quality of life touches – and PlayStation followers are getting one more definitive tackle a title that was born on Xbox.
If the PlayStation model stumbles in any respect, it is in its lack of PS5 Professional-specific enhancements. It packs the now-standard high quality (30 frames per second) and efficiency (60 frames per second) choices, in addition to a extra in-the-middle setting for these with 120Hz shows. It’s also possible to chase sooner efficiency by unlocking the body charge, a welcome inclusion for certain. However there aren’t any meaty ray-tracing options or different enhancements that will let you really harness every part below the Professional’s hood.
And what’s provided did not appear to make a lot of an influence throughout my testing. By way of each visuals and efficiency, my time enjoying on the Professional seemed and felt fairly corresponding to my Xbox Collection X expertise. Equally, the usual PS5 and Professional appear to supply near-identical visible high quality and efficiency, with no notable variations between the 2.
Do not sleep on it a second time
Whereas Professional house owners would possibly pine for extra options to justify their expensive {hardware} buy, the finger could be partially pointed at the truth that Avowed already performed easily and impressed visually upon its launch a 12 months in the past. That very same sentiment interprets to many different components of the sport, together with its incredible storytelling, colourful character interactions, and vibrant, assorted world, lined extensively in TechRadar Gaming’s authentic evaluation of the sport.
Unsurprisingly, upon its launch, Avowed was one other compelling, polished action-RPG from a studio that is been honing and perfecting its craft for over 20 years, beginning with 2004’s Star Wars Knights of the Previous Republic II: The Sith Lords. Sadly, it bought considerably misplaced within the sea of final 12 months’s acclaimed style entries.
Fortunately, that oversight can now be remedied with its PS5 launch, which not solely reintroduces every part that was nice the primary time we confronted its fungal plague but in addition brings a brimming treasure chest of recent options, enhancements, and content material.
Whether or not you are a PlayStation proprietor craving probably the most immersive expertise from behind the DualSense or an present envoy able to wield the Quarterstaff as one of many new races, Avowed’s second coming is as spectacular as a Dwelling Lands sundown…which you may undoubtedly wish to seize in picture mode.
Do you have to play Avowed on PS5?
Play it if…
Do not play it if…
Accessibility options
Previous to its PS5 launch, Avowed already provided an admirable slate of accessibility choices for digicam changes, subtitle settings, issue ranges, and even an arachnophobia mode for these averse to creepy crawlies. However the recreation’s new model builds additional on this strong basis, particularly within the issue division.
A brand new “customized” issue setting permits gamers to tweak over two dozen modifiers, adjusting every part from participant injury and stamina to carrying capability, enemy assault pace, and way more. However whereas Avowed greater than delivers in most accessibility areas, it nonetheless would not supply the suite of colorblind choices which have change into fairly commonplace in different video games.
How I reviewed Avowed on PS5
I explored The Dwelling Lands for simply over 40 hours, adventuring totally on my PlayStation 5 Professional, but in addition placing loads of time into my commonplace PS5 and Xbox Collection X for visible and efficiency comparisons. I discovered the most effective, most balanced expertise enjoying on my Professional in high quality mode with the framerate unlocked.
I centered on testing the sport’s anniversary replace additions, particularly its customized issue settings, new Quarterstaff weapon, races, and picture mode. I performed totally on my price range TCL 4K show, with HDR enabled and utilizing its built-in stereo audio system, paying specific consideration to the sport’s DualSense controller integration for vibration and audio results. I additionally performed a couple of hours on my PlayStation Portal with PlayStation Pulse Discover earbuds.
First reviewed February 2026
