Avowed vs Skyrim: What are the Differences?
So, you’ve finished Avowed (or at least played enough to form an opinion), and now you’re wondering—how does it compare to Skyrim? A fair question, considering every fantasy RPG with swords and spells eventually gets the Skyrim comparison treatment. Let’s break it down:
World & Exploration
Skyrim: Open-world, meaning you can wander aimlessly for hours, ignoring the main quest while picking up cheese wheels and getting sidetracked by every cave in sight.
Avowed: Open-zoned, meaning large, handcrafted areas that are packed with detail but separated by loading screens. There’s still a lot to explore, but don’t expect to go hiking for six hours just because a mountain looks interesting.
Verdict: Skyrim wins on sheer size, but Avowed has a more curated experience with fewer empty stretches of wilderness.
Combat
Skyrim: Swing your sword like a caffeinated toddler, shoot some spells that feel like throwing glitter, and, if you're lucky, get a sick finishing animation. Combat is functional, but let’s be honest—it’s never been Skyrim’s strong suit.
Avowed: More dynamic. You can mix weapons and magic in a way that actually feels good. Guns exist, dodging is fluid, and you don’t feel like you’re flailing wildly every time you enter combat.
Verdict: Avowed offers smoother, more engaging combat. Sorry, Skyrim, but you’ve always felt a little… stiff.
Story & Writing
Skyrim: You’re the Dragonborn. You shout at people. The world barely reacts to your existence. NPCs have the emotional range of a wooden plank. Mods eventually fix all of this.
Avowed: Much more story-focused. Obsidian’s writing shines, and the choices you make actually matter. The world acknowledges what you do, and your companions have personalities beyond "generic follower #4."
Verdict: If you like rich storytelling, Avowed is the clear winner. If you prefer making your own fun, Skyrim is your sandbox.
Immersion & Interaction
Skyrim: You can pick up, steal, and hoard every single object in the game. Want to fill your house with cabbages? Go for it. NPCs also have schedules, react to crimes, and make the world feel alive.
Avowed: Cities feel a bit static. NPCs don’t really move much, and you can’t just attack whoever you want or steal everything not nailed down. There’s still plenty to do, but don’t expect to mess around Skyrim-style.
Verdict: Skyrim still holds the crown for immersion and chaotic nonsense.
Character Building & Progression
Skyrim: Be whatever you want, whenever you want. Start as a sneaky archer, change your mind, become a destruction mage, then level smithing to make god-tier weapons because why not?
Avowed: More structured builds with distinct abilities. You can mix things up, but there’s a stronger sense of class-based progression. No leveling everything to 100 just because you can.
Verdict: Skyrim offers more freedom; Avowed has more refined class-building. Pick your poison.
Replayability
Skyrim: Infinite. You can always try a new build, join different factions, or just mod the game into something unrecognizable.
Avowed: Multiple choices, different endings, and build variety give it replay value—but it’s not a game you’ll sink hundreds of hours into like Skyrim.
Verdict: Skyrim will outlive us all.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Play?
Want a massive world where you can do whatever you want and ignore the main quest forever? Skyrim.
Want a tighter, story-driven RPG with better combat and meaningful choices? Avowed.
Want both? Play Avowed now, then go back to Skyrim for the 12th time.
Either way, you're in for a good time. Just remember: no matter which game you choose, you’ll still spend way too much time looting every single container you come across.
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