Avowed on Xbox – Official Trailer & What It Means for RPG Fans

Avowed Xbox Trailer Breakdown – A New Era for Obsidian RPGs?

The Avowed trailer has dropped, and with it, excitement levels for Obsidian’s first major RPG since The Outer Worlds have skyrocketed. As a spiritual successor to Pillars of Eternity, Avowed promises an expansive open world, deep lore, and intense first-person combat.

But beyond the visuals and hype, there’s a growing debate about Xbox’s early access strategy—does this mark a shift in how future Game Pass titles will be monetized?

You can also read: Upcoming Video Games in February 2025: Full Recap

Avowed Leads February’s Xbox Game Pass Lineup

Xbox Game Pass subscribers have plenty to look forward to, but Avowed is undoubtedly the headline act of February 2025.

Game Pass Release Schedule Highlights

• February 4: Far Cry New Dawn
• February 5: Another Crab’s Treasure, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, Starfield
• February 6: Madden NFL 25
• February 13: Avowed (Early Access for Premium Edition buyers)
• February 18: Avowed full release on Game Pass

With a Game Pass day-one release, Avowed represents Xbox’s ongoing commitment to first-party exclusives, but the $25 Premium Edition upgrade raises concerns about access and pricing models moving forward.

Times Square Takeover – Xbox’s Global Marketing Push for Avowed

The Avowed marketing campaign is in full swing, and Microsoft isn’t holding back.

Xbox’s Global Media Campaign Includes:

• A massive animated billboard in Times Square
• Heavy promotion across social media, gaming events, and influencer channels
• Premium early access hype (but at what cost?)

Marketing this heavily suggests that Microsoft sees Avowed as a major first-party title, but will it deliver on expectations?

You can also read: Are the Console Wars Really Over? The Future of Xbox, PlayStation, and Exclusivity

Avowed: Gameplay & Story – What We Learned from the Trailer

The Avowed trailer showcases a rich fantasy world with a first-person RPG experience that blends elements of The Elder Scrolls and Pillars of Eternity.

Key Gameplay Highlights:

• Magic-infused combat – Dual-wielding swords, guns, and spells for a hybrid playstyle.
• Diverse enemy factions – Including supernatural threats from the Pillars of Eternity universe.
• Open-world exploration – Set in Eora, a world filled with ancient ruins, deep dungeons, and shifting alliances.
• Branching narrative choices – Player decisions will shape the story and world events.

With a focus on player freedom, Avowed aims to capture the immersive storytelling that made Obsidian a fan-favorite RPG studio.

Early Access Controversy – A Concerning Trend for Xbox Game Pass?

One of the biggest talking points surrounding Avowed is its Premium Edition upgrade.

For an additional $25, players can access:

• ✅ 5 Days Early Access (February 13 instead of February 18)
• ✅ Companion skins & cosmetics
• ✅ Digital artbook & soundtrack
• ? No additional gameplay content
• ? No campaign DLC included

How Does Avowed Compare to Other Xbox Game Pass Releases?

Unlike Starfield or Indiana Jones, Avowed’s Premium Edition does not include campaign DLC or extra in-game content. Instead, the main incentive is early access, which some argue is a paywall tactic rather than a true upgrade.

You can also read: Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: From Controversy to Bans

Will Xbox Continue This Trend?

The Avowed pricing model sets a concerning precedent for Xbox Game Pass. While early access is common in AAA releases, locking 5 days of playtime behind a $25 upgrade raises questions about:

• Future Game Pass releases – Will early access become a standard monetization tactic?
• Player division – Splitting the player base between early access buyers and regular players.
• Content value – Premium Editions should offer more than just early access and cosmetics.

As Game Pass prices continue to rise, players may push back against this model. Will Xbox listen?

Final Thoughts – Is Avowed Worth the Hype?

Avowed is shaping up to be one of the biggest RPGs of 2025, with Obsidian’s deep storytelling and immersive gameplay leading the charge. But the early access controversy has sparked debate about Xbox’s Game Pass monetization moving forward.

Pros:

• ✅ Day-one Game Pass release
• ✅ Exciting first-person RPG mechanics
• ✅ Deep lore and world-building

Cons:

• ❌ Early access locked behind a paywall
• ❌ No extra campaign content in Premium Edition
• ❌ Sets a trend for future Xbox pricing models

Is Avowed a must-play RPG or a troubling sign for Game Pass pricing? That’s up to the players to decide.

You can also read: Civilization 7 Review: A New Age of Strategy or a Step Too Far?

Avowed FAQs

When is Avowed releasing?

The full release is February 18, 2025, with early access on February 13 for those who purchase the Premium Edition.

Is Avowed coming to Xbox Game Pass?

Yes! Avowed will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass for both Xbox Series X|S and PC.

What’s included in Avowed’s Premium Edition?

The $25 upgrade includes:

• 5 days of early access
• Companion skins & cosmetics
• Digital artbook & soundtrack
• ❌ No campaign DLC

Will Avowed be available on PlayStation?

As of now, Avowed is an Xbox exclusive for Series X|S and PC.

Stay tuned for more updates on GetJar!