Compare Avowed vs Tales of Eternia Remastered

Endgame content was criticized because the original experience did not allow continued post-story play and lacked New Game Plus at launch.

Access to the bonus dungeon during a first playthrough is a welcome change. It adds something to anticipate without requiring a New Game Plus run first.

The tutorial was praised for teaching systems naturally and creating meaningful choices early.

Help screens and puzzle guidance leave gaps that modern conveniences do not fully close. Clearer control documentation and more visible hints would make the learning process smoother.

World interactivity was one of the most common criticisms, with many reviewers finding NPCs, theft, objects, and systems too static.

Unexpectedly amusing NPC exchanges can make talking to every villager worthwhile. Town conversations sometimes reward curiosity with more personality than expected.

Fast travel was viewed as convenient and generous, making it easy to revisit areas without friction.

The late airship upgrade does too little to relieve earlier backtracking. Without a fast-travel shortcut, navigating around large landmasses can become tedious.

Upgrade systems were sharply divisive, with some liking gear longevity and many others criticizing tiers, scarcity, or number-go-up design.

Craymel spell upgrades connect elemental spirits to character growth in an especially appealing way. Mixing spirits opens new abilities while preserving meaningful tradeoffs.

Grind level was a common complaint tied to gear upgrades, resource hunting, and spongy combat loops.

Boosted rewards, doubled skill usage and encounter controls can remove substantial repetition. They are especially useful for backtracking, replaying and collecting rare items.

Camera-related options were appreciated, especially the ability to adjust head bob and camera shake for comfort.

Zoomed or awkward framing can limit the information available during battles. Offscreen attacks and reduced vertical space make some encounters harder to read.

Enemy variety was a recurring concern; many reviewers felt the same bears, spiders, skeletons, and humanoids appeared too often.

Varied opponents and attack patterns help sustain combat interest. Different encounters ask for different reactions rather than identical attack strings.

Character development split reviewers: some found companions distinct and engaging, while others thought characters were bland or hard to care about.

The central quartet benefits greatly from restored camp conversations and sustained interaction. Some of the richest development is optional, so regularly stopping to camp matters.

Enemy AI was considered serviceable but not especially smart; later impressions suggested fights remain engaging without feeling brain-dead.

Allies can ignore weaknesses or make costly positioning errors. Those lapses weaken the link between tactical preparation and successful execution.

Crafting was mixed to negative, with several reviewers calling it threadbare, expensive, or too tied to gear-tier progression.

Cooking is a simple but valuable source of healing, resource recovery and temporary buffs. Faster proficiency growth can also remove repetition when building it up again.

Exploration was one of the strongest consensus positives, with dense maps, secrets, vertical paths, and constant rewards keeping reviewers engaged.

Encounter controls make backtracking and item hunting less intrusive. Sparse towns, unrewarding detours and late travel improvements still limit the pleasure of exploring.

Loot opinions were mixed: unique items and progression could be satisfying, but many chests and rewards felt predictable or unexciting.

Increasing item drops makes collecting rare equipment much less frustrating. It reduces the need to repeat old fights purely for a lucky reward.

The core loop was divisive: strong combat and exploration were often undermined for some reviewers by gear-tier repetition and open-zone structure.

The battle-and-management loop offers real tactical substance. Over a long adventure, repeated fights and resource maintenance can also become wearing.

Innovation was usually described as limited; reviewers saw Avowed as confident and enjoyable rather than genre-changing.

The battle system earns praise for being ahead of its time. Its ideas helped establish the foundation later Tales games developed.

Bug reports varied widely: some reviewers found almost none, while others hit quest bugs, map-edge bugs, or issues that required reloads.

One PS5 player encountered no bugs during roughly 15 hours of play. That is encouraging early experience rather than a guarantee for every platform or the full adventure.

Progression systems were divisive: some liked flexible builds and added points, while others found midgame growth stagnant or too gear-dependent.

Learning Artes through use and experimenting with Craymel combinations make growth satisfying. Powerful boosts improve replay convenience but can flatten the intended progression, and some systems feel passive.

Onboarding was praised when it taught by doing, though lore-heavy openings could feel steep for newcomers.

Important information is not always introduced clearly. Optional access to Manual mode and early terminology overload can leave new players uncertain.

The companion roster was often seen as small or limited, though some reviewers still liked the four supporting characters.

The central quartet’s contrasting personalities are a major strength, carrying familiar plot turns and creating memorable relationships. Optional recruits are less consistently compelling to play.

Learning support was helped by reference and lore systems that made Eora’s terminology easier to understand.

The 2D battles require adjustment, particularly for players familiar with later Tales games. Some enjoy learning the demanding inputs; others struggle to find the flow in the opening hours.

Reviewers liked the dense zones and amount of side content, although some felt the scope was restrained rather than sprawling.

Minigames create plenty of diversions, but enjoyment varies widely. Some players love the card game or quiz, while others find mandatory activities tedious or frustrating.

Movement feel and parkour were strongly praised for making exploration fluid, vertical, and enjoyable.

Default movement-speed options improve everyday travel, but battle movement can still feel stiff. Switch analog controls draw particular criticism for snapping away from diagonal directions.

Frame-rate stability varied: some reviewers saw stable performance, while others reported hitches, drops, screen tearing, or stuttering.

PS5, PC and newer handheld hardware generally deliver smooth play around the 60 FPS target. Switch 1 can show minor dips, so platform choice matters.

HUD clarity improved through options to reduce clutter, adjust opacity, and toggle display elements.

Showing exact proficiency values makes character growth easier to track. It removes the need to guess when working toward new techniques.

Skill trees were praised for flexibility but criticized by others as simple, shallow, or uneven across archetypes.

The use-based Arte system offers rewarding growth into stronger and combined techniques. Practicing basic moves gives ability development a tangible purpose.

Steam Deck suitability was considered playable and verified, but the visual tradeoff was significant.

The straightforward structure works well for portable play, especially with original graphics. PC handhelds perform well, although Deck OLED refresh-rate settings and Switch-version differences deserve attention.

Graphics quality was divisive but often positive, with praise for stunning vistas and vivid visuals alongside criticism of poor or compromised visuals on some platforms.

Expressive sprites and colorful locations still impress, but the remastered treatment divides opinion. Some prefer clearer backgrounds; others see blur, inconsistent assets or improvements too slight to justify the label.

Pacing was mixed, with slow starts, downtime, filler quests, and late-game repetition weighing against an otherwise easy-to-follow story.

Some find the storytelling refreshingly concise, while others encounter slow openings, padding or rushed developments. Encounter settings and destination markers help reduce travel-related delays.

Gameplay mechanics were generally praised as streamlined and flexible, but a few reviewers felt RPG systems lacked depth or reactivity.

Convenience features can streamline familiar routines, but combat-only turbo and auto-battle are divisive. They save time while sometimes making action harder to manage or bypassing useful practice.

Companion combat AI was mixed: some found companions self-sufficient or improved by patches, while others called them weak or unnecessary in fights.

Party commands provide useful tactical options, but companion behavior is inconsistent. Spellcasters may wander into danger, choose ineffective skills or require repeated supervision.

Polish improved over time but remained uneven, with reviewers citing jank, lack of gloss, or presentation limits alongside strong craftsmanship.

Small usability omissions keep the remaster from feeling fully polished. They are generally irritations rather than deal-breakers.

Returning Eora fans often felt Avowed was faithful to the Pillars of Eternity world, while still accessible to newcomers.

The remaster generally respects the classic structure and pixel-art identity. Presentation purists may still dislike processed assets or missing original-format options.

Most reviewers praised the bold, colorful, alien fantasy art direction, though a few disliked the cartoony look or felt presentation was uneven.

The original pixel art and colorful anime designs remain a major attraction. Smoothing and processed assets sometimes weaken the detail and coherence that make that style appealing.

Environmental detail was strongly praised through dense secrets, vistas, caves, and handcrafted spaces, even by some otherwise mixed reviewers.

Location art creates a pleasing nostalgic impression. The environments inside individual areas are more appealing than the sparse world map.

Visual effects, especially magic, were repeatedly praised for impact, color, and satisfying feedback.

Animated battle effects help preserve the visual charm of late PlayStation-era RPGs. They contribute to an appealing classic presentation.

Aiming and first-person spell placement drew criticism when ground-targeted abilities were hard to place precisely.

Lining up the magic orb with dungeon targets can be more frustrating than the puzzle itself. Precise positioning is a notable weak point.

Combat was one of the most consistently praised elements, especially magic, responsiveness, and build variety, despite repetition and gear-gating complaints.

Combo chaining, directional attacks and party preparation give the 2D combat lasting appeal. Opinions split sharply over whether its depth outweighs stiff movement, repetition and limited defensive freedom.

Originality was limited; reviewers often described Avowed as familiar comfort-food fantasy rather than a bold genre evolution.

The broad story setup is familiar and sometimes predictable. Players who have seen many two-world Tales stories may find the premise overused.

Side characters and companions were highly divisive: some found them memorable and heartfelt, while others thought they were shallow or uninspired.

Supporting-character depth is uneven: compelling villain histories stand out, while other promising characters receive less attention than the central party.

Reviewers noted useful accessibility and comfort controls such as camera, subtitle, difficulty, and arachnophobia-related options, though colorblind support was called out as missing.

Flexible boosts, encounter settings and convenience options make the classic structure easier to accommodate. They let players reduce friction or retain a demanding experience.

Immersion was helped by dense worldbuilding and atmosphere but hurt for some by static NPCs and limited world reactivity.

Turning off destination markers can help preserve a more immersive first adventure. The option lets players favor discovery over constant guidance.

Dialogue quality ranged from standout and well acted to overly wordy, forced, or limited in the options it offered.

Skits and unexpected exchanges add humor and insight, and concise dialogue can keep scenes moving. Some conversations still lean heavily on familiar JRPG tropes.

Animation feedback was mixed, with stiff NPCs and less impressive presentation keeping the game from feeling fully modern.

Expressive sprite work earns praise, while the processed animated cutscenes are a recurring concern. Some still enjoy their period anime aesthetic, but others strongly dislike the smoothing and artifacts.

Emotional impact came mostly from moral choices, consequences, and companion moments, though some endings or fallout felt muted to critics.

Returning to familiar worlds and characters can deliver a powerful nostalgic response. The main cast has convincing emotional moments, though the wider plot does not affect everyone equally.

Resource balance divided reviewers: some liked the meaningful economy, while others felt crafting materials and upgrade resources were too scarce.

TP conservation can become a persistent burden, especially early on or during long dungeons. Optional camp recovery helps relieve that pressure.

Lore depth was consistently praised, especially the in-game books, history, politics, and reference systems that made Eora feel rich.

The Craymel mythology and remembered connections between the worlds can rekindle strong affection. Its lore is part of the nostalgic pull for returning players.

The Living Lands’ vivid tone, music, and dreamlike spaces were repeatedly praised for creating a distinctive atmosphere.

Classic storytelling and location art create an appealing nostalgic atmosphere. That period feel is a large part of the attraction.

Fun factor leaned positive overall, especially for combat and exploration, though some reviewers found the experience merely solid or underwhelming.

Enjoyable battles are a major source of fun. For players who connect with combo chaining, combat remains engaging well beyond the initial adjustment.

Writing quality was widely praised for lore, companion dialogue, and sharp prose, but a minority found it wordy, pretentious, or mid.

The central relationships can feel human and engaging, especially when conflict grows into friendship. Familiar conventions, generic passages and heavy jargon temper that appeal.

Difficulty balance was one of the most debated areas, with some finding it fair and flexible and others criticizing gear checks, sponginess, or uneven scaling.

Higher difficulties reward preparation and mastery, but spikes and unreliable allies can make challenge feel uneven. Boosts offer extensive control, with the risk of making growth and combat trivial.

Narrative quality was usually a strength thanks to mystery, choices, and world stakes, but some reviewers found the main plot predictable or underwhelming.

The party and two-world setting give the adventure enduring appeal, with some players finding the full story exceptional. Others see a familiar premise, predictable turns or emotional moments that fall short.

Build and class flexibility was praised because Avowed lets players mix archetypes freely, though balance sometimes favored magic or specific styles.

The central fighters and spellcasters complement one another well. Their different roles give the core party a balanced combat identity.

Controls and combat feel were commonly praised for responsiveness, impact, and keybind flexibility, with a few targeting frustrations.

Several players find strict inputs, object positioning and minigame handling awkward. Others praise responsive combos, so comfort depends on the activity and familiarity with the older battle system.

Menu and ability-wheel usability was mixed; some quality-of-life systems helped, but radial wheels and limited hotkeys disrupted combat for others.

Menu changes can make the game feel more modern, but equipment comparisons are limited and some screens waste space. Boost settings may also take time to discover.

Character creation was generally praised as solid or deep, with later updates adding more races and appearance options.

Craymel allocation, equipment and distinct fighting styles enable satisfying party customization. Choosing one spell combination can mean giving up another.

Voice acting was mostly praised as strong or outstanding, though one reviewer found performances unable to save weaker writing.

The new English dub is widely praised for livelier, more expressive performances. A smaller group finds early delivery uneven or overly isolated, with familiar voices and lines taking time to adjust to.

Level design was praised for verticality, density, handcrafted routes, and spaces that felt larger than their footprint.

Dungeon design ranges from inventive, varied layouts to confusing routes and uneven lengths. Detailed backgrounds can make exits and walkable areas hard to distinguish.

Boss design was criticized as disappointing, with bosses feeling like tougher versions of regular enemies rather than unique encounters.

Tough bosses can reward careful equipment, formations and defensive timing. Sudden difficulty jumps, cramped framing and unreliable execution sometimes spoil that satisfaction.

Quest design ranged from excellent side stories and meaningful follow-ups to fetchy, inconsistent, or repetitive tasks.

Side activities can yield useful rewards through very short conversations. Other quests feel thin or require tedious work to develop optional characters.

Map and navigation design was mixed, with missing custom markers criticized before later updates added them.

Destination and missable-event markers are among the most useful additions, reducing aimless wandering and lost content. Others find them intrusive, overly obvious or imperfect at revealing the actual route.

Puzzles were generally light but appreciated when they used environmental elements, timing, and exploration paths.

Distinct environmental ideas give many dungeons personality, and some puzzles earn praise for clever construction. Awkward object placement, targeting and insufficient hints make others more troublesome.

Open-zone design split reviewers: many liked curated, dense hubs, while others found the world restrictive, lifeless, or not interactive enough.

The world map contains hidden rewards, but long stretches can feel barren. That sparseness is a minor issue for some players and a larger limitation for others.

UI options such as text sizing and subtitles were appreciated as useful interface support.

Cleaner text and readable menus help modernize the interface. Widescreen layouts, inconsistent control information and an occasionally mobile-like appearance remain complaints.

Sound design was praised for impactful effects, combat feedback, and strong weapon audio.

Updated sound effects are welcomed by some players, and the option to retain older audio is appreciated. The changes offer a choice of texture rather than a wholly different soundscape.

World-building was one of Avowed’s clearest strengths, especially its politics, cultures, history, and Eora continuity.

The cultural differences and prejudices between Inferia and Celestia give the setting substance. Their contrast supports character growth and a sense of progression through the adventure.

Value for money was mixed: reviewers praised Game Pass or lower pricing but questioned the original premium price for the scope.

The commonly cited $30 price is considered reasonable or excellent for a substantial classic RPG. It also provides a more accessible route than costly original copies.

Replay value improved with choices and post-launch New Game Plus, though some reviewers felt repeated runs changed too little.

New difficulty choices and access to bonus content give repeat runs a purpose. Progression boosts can also make revisiting familiar sections more enjoyable.

Save reliability was a concern for at least one reviewer who needed more careful saving because of bugs.

Autosaving is a useful addition, but it may occur less often than expected. Battle retries can be a better fallback when a recent save is unavailable.

Platform-specific support was praised for PS5 performance modes, Sony-platform feel, and PC features such as DLSS.

Broad console support and a native Switch 2 version are welcomed. Optional mouse controls in certain minigames provide an additional platform-specific benefit.

Performance optimization varied sharply across versions, from stable and improved after patches to demanding, stuttery, or poorly optimized on some PCs.

The remaster generally performs well on PC handhelds and newer hardware. Switch 1 has more visible limitations, and certain PC display settings need adjustment.

Soundtrack reception was generally positive but often stopped short of calling the music unforgettable.

The music generally supports the fantasy setting well, with the opening theme earning particular affection. Opinions range from excellent scene-matching to pleasant but unremarkable.

One reviewer specifically framed Avowed as more appropriate for older teens and adults because of its complex themes and mature material.

Modern availability makes this appealing for collectors priced out of scarce PlayStation copies. It offers a practical way to experience a previously difficult-to-access entry.

Reid’s reluctant approach is refreshing and relatable for some players. Others find his more substantial development arrives too late or prefer a more immediately engaged hero.

The new English casting suits the characters well in one detailed assessment. The choices avoid distracting from the adventure.

The absence of co-op disappoints players who enjoyed sharing Tales adventures. Convenience improvements do not replace that missing way to play.

Hunting hidden Wonder Chefs is enjoyable and rewards curiosity with new recipes. Those discoveries provide a concrete reason to inspect locations.

Crowded sprites and restricted vertical framing can obscure positions and actions. The tactical combat is harder to appreciate when the battlefield becomes difficult to read.

Restoring the missing English skits makes the adventure feel more complete. Their return adds personality that earlier Western versions lacked.

Missing local multiplayer is a recurring disappointment. Players who remember sharing party control cannot recreate that experience here.

Crash stability varied by platform and version: some reviewers reported no crashes, while another had severe startup crashes before fixes.

Scene skipping is a welcome convenience in an older RPG. It helps bring repeat play closer to modern expectations.

Battle retries reduce the cost of failure and avoid repeating earlier sections. Optional penalty changes and quick recovery can further soften older frustrations.

Facial animations were criticized in later impressions as not matching next-generation expectations.

The adventure offers substantial playtime and appealing scope, with some valuing its relative compactness. Others feel sections pad the journey, while time-saving boosts can make the commitment easier to manage.

One critic worries that the cutscene processing resembles careless automated upscaling. The complaint concerns its distracting visual results; the production method is not established.

Switching between original and remastered graphics is widely appreciated. Cutscene processing and some PC resolution restrictions make the options less complete than they could be.

Haptic support was platform-dependent: one PS5 review praised DualSense vibration, while another noted missing haptic and trigger use.

Insufficient puzzle hints can turn progress into repeated backtracking or outside searching. Clearer guidance would have relieved a longstanding frustration.

Camp skits and awkward party exchanges can be genuinely funny, sometimes producing standout laughs. Not every running joke lands equally well.

Raising the item limit makes stocking up more comfortable. It replaces a restrictive fifteen-item cap with a more forgiving option.

PS5 and Switch 2 loading receive strong praise. Switch 1 is noticeably slower, including transitions during play.

Overall impressions are largely positive, driven by the cast, combat and welcome return to modern hardware. Some assessments cover only the opening hours.

Being able to pause scenes is a welcome basic convenience. It makes the older game easier to fit around interruptions.

The lack of a North American boxed release frustrates physical collectors. On Switch, choosing a full cartridge also involves tradeoffs against the native Switch 2 version’s docked presentation.

Platforming precision was a pleasant surprise, with simple mantling and vertical puzzles adding a welcome exploration layer.

Restored skits, new localization and flexible conveniences make this a meaningful revival for many players. Its uneven visual processing and retained design limits stop everyone from seeing it as a model remaster.

The touches of romance that develop alongside the journey are warmly received. They add another appealing dimension to the party’s relationships.

Craymel combinations, formations, equipment and directional attacks give the RPG systems meaningful depth. The result is richer than the simple side-on battle layout initially suggests.

Sandbox freedom was limited compared with full open-world RPGs, though some reviewers still appreciated freedom in story choices or builds.

The single-player structure suits an unhurried personal RPG journey. Its appeal comes from settling into the story and exploring at your own pace.

Stealth was criticized as underdeveloped or nearly useless, with little support for stealth-focused play.

Weapon balance and variety were mostly praised for experimentation and flexible loadouts, but some reviewers felt magic outclassed melee or guns.

The lack of a built-in CRT filter disappoints players seeking the original display feel. The remaster’s presentation options do not fully recreate that experience.

The Deluxe extras are worthwhile mainly if the artbook and soundtrack appeal to you. Buyers focused on the adventure itself have less reason to pay more.

Post-launch support was viewed positively, with free updates improving stability, customization, build options, and quality-of-life features.

The rewritten English localization and restored conversations are major strengths. Familiar wording changes can still jar longtime players, even when the new script flows better.

Distinct enemy patterns support reactive combat. Learning how different opponents behave contributes to the battle system’s appeal.

Mission design drew criticism when quests felt repetitive, fetchy, or like back-and-forth errands, though some standout missions remained.

Losing the original multiplayer functionality is a clear disappointment. The remaster offers fewer ways to share control of the adventure.