Compare Avowed vs Romeo is a Dead Man

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

New Game Plus is the main post-credits attraction and is enthusiastically received by the reviewers who discuss it, especially because progression carries over and higher difficulties deepen combat.

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

The Last Night hub stands out for its tactile feel, with hands-on activities and character interactions giving the ship more personality than a simple menu-based base.

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

The opening tutorial is viewed as generic and insufficient for some of the game’s stranger systems. Important mechanics can feel underexplained even when the basic attack controls are easy to grasp.

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

The direct parental-suitability assessment advises against the game for concerned parents because of frequent blood fountains and coarse language.

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

The direct AI critique is severe: enemies can stand idle or get stuck when elevation changes, undermining otherwise straightforward encounters.

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

Level design is a recurring weakness despite flashes of creativity. Reviewers praise certain chapter gimmicks and the asylum, but criticize bland corridors, reused spaces, overly linear layouts, and Subspace-heavy progression.

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

Steam Deck impressions are poor. Reviewers report frame rates falling into the 20s or teens and describe the handheld experience as effectively unplayable or more frustrating than fun.

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

Environment quality trails the broader art direction. Critics describe several locations as bland, basic, or budget-constrained even when the surrounding presentation is imaginative.

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

Movement is one of the rougher mechanical areas, with complaints about sluggish transitions, animation lock-in, and awkward recovery after being hit. A few reviewers adapt, but the jank remains noticeable.

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

Bosses are among the most reliable highlights: grotesque designs, bespoke music, varied mechanics, and demanding patterns make many encounters memorable. A minority find some fights spongy, cheap, or mechanically basic.

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

The most celebrated innovations are small but memorable: the DeadGear Cannonball progression maze, Bastard system, mixed-media storytelling, and willingness to switch genres without warning.

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

Ladders, ledges, and vertical spaces expose control roughness, with reviewers describing falls, pauses, and vulnerable transitions that make traversal more frustrating than precise.

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

The detailed technical review finds the PC upscaling controls confusing and ineffective in places, with DLSS quality settings not behaving as their labels suggest.

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

The camera compounds crowded fights for several reviewers, with complaints about tight zoom, wall collisions, poor tracking, and aiming movements that disorient the view.

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

Originality is the strongest consensus point. Even harsh critics acknowledge that the game is bold, strange, handmade-feeling, and unlike the safer action games surrounding it.

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

Combat readability is a recurring problem. Dense blood, particles, cyan sparks, summons, and cramped arenas can turn the screen into visual noise that reviewers struggle to parse.

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

Growing, fusing, and refining Bastards is a major highlight. Reviewers frequently treat the system as a game within the game because it supports experimentation, stronger summons, and personalized builds.

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

Fast travel through Space-Time Pharmacies is useful, but using those points can respawn defeated enemies, making backtracking and repeated traversal less convenient than expected.

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

The limited direct assessments are positive, praising stellar character-scene animation and well-executed motion even when the broader presentation can be rough.

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

Early hours can misrepresent how complex and unusual the game becomes. Reviewers repeatedly mention awkward introductions or systems—especially Bastards—being explained too late or too vaguely.

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

The ensemble is widely liked for being bizarre, colorful, and memorable, with the ship’s crew providing some of the game’s warmest and funniest downtime.

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

Reviewers who click with the game find its world-building and constant tonal shifts unusually absorbing, even when they stop actively trying to decode every plot detail.

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

DeadGear Cannonball is one of the most consistently praised systems: turning stat growth into a Pac-Man-like route-planning minigame makes progression feel playful, deliberate, and memorable.

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

Subspace puzzles are usually viewed as simple rather than clever, and their growing length can turn them into a chore. The asylum’s horror puzzles are a notable positive exception.

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

Reviewers who discuss the stat maze like how route choices turn character growth into a small puzzle rather than a conventional list of nodes. It offers meaningful planning without becoming opaque.

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

The soundtrack is one of the clearest consensus strengths. Reviewers repeatedly praise its rock, synth, vocal boss themes, and eclectic genre mix, with several wanting to keep listening after play ends.

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

The broader gameplay package is divisive: some reviewers find its layered systems satisfying once they click, while others call the underlying mechanics stiff, dated, or uneven.

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

The interface is visually distinctive but not universally easy to use. Its retro flourishes and strong personality win praise, while messy layouts and confusing technical settings can frustrate.

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

Performance is a persistent technical weakness. Reviews repeatedly report heavy slowdowns, poor PC scaling, troublesome settings, and especially bad Steam Deck results, though a few systems run smoothly.

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

Upgrades usually feel consequential, especially reload speed, health, damage, and Bastard improvements. Resource limits and late grinding keep a few reviewers from enjoying the system as much.

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

Blood, neon, particles, and special attacks create huge spectacle, but the same excess can obscure enemies and make combat visually overwhelming. Reviewers love the style more than its readability.

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

Responsiveness ranges from superbly snappy to frustratingly delayed. Weapon-switch locks, dodge timing, and animation commitments are the main complaints when the controls feel slow.

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

Optional missions and side dungeons can be compelling enough to pull players away from the main path, especially when they combine combat with useful upgrades and rewards.

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

Crash reports are inconsistent: some reviewers encounter no major crashes, while others report multiple crashes or severe issues requiring restarts or reinstalls.

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

The eight-weapon arsenal invites experimentation, yet melee and guns do not always feel equally satisfying. Ranged weapons are strategically essential for weak points, but slow reloads and awkward switching often make melee more enjoyable.

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

Writing ranges from layered and thoughtful to rambling and underdeveloped. The strongest reactions praise thematic depth and character moments, while critics object to tenuous plot connections, cryptic exposition, and uneven payoff.

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

The story is intentionally bizarre and deeply polarizing. Some reviewers find its fragmented mystery, themes, and emotional turns captivating; others see an incoherent, directionless plot that never earns its chaos.

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

Positive reviewers see strong value in the mid-priced runtime, side content, New Game Plus, and replayability. One more skeptical source recommends waiting for a steep discount, so value depends on tolerance for the roughness.

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

Bug experiences vary from almost clean runs to serious progression and audio problems. Pathfinding glitches, broken settings, and late-game bugs keep the technical picture from feeling dependable.

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

Frame-rate drops are one of the most repeated complaints, particularly in crowded fights, Subspace, and certain late areas. Some console configurations stay stable, but consistency varies sharply by platform and scene.

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

The game’s rough edges are impossible to ignore even for many fans. Jank, uneven controls, technical problems, and reused content coexist with unusually confident presentation and several highly polished individual systems.

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

New Game Plus is widely welcomed, and several reviewers immediately started or planned another run. Carryover progression, higher difficulties, missed Bastards, and interpretive story details give repeat play real appeal.

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

Accessibility impressions conflict. One reviewer says dedicated options are sparse despite aim assists and colorblind settings, while another finds the game broadly accessible and praises clear subtitles.

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

Navigation is one of the clearest weaknesses, especially in Subspace. Maze-like rooms, weak vertical guidance, repeated TVs, and getting lost make progression more tiring than exploratory.

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

The episodic structure produces some memorable setups, yet late-game missions and repeated routes can become exhausting. Several reviewers specifically dislike the gauntlets and reused material near the end.

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

Combat lands very differently depending on the reviewer. Its aggressive melee/ranged rhythm, Bloody Summer attacks, and Bastard summons can feel exhilarating, but others find the foundation shallow, clunky, or overly repetitive.

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

The weaponless asylum sequence sharply divides opinion. Horror-focused reviewers call the stealth change-up fantastic, while others consider the forced sneaking one of the game’s weakest sections.

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.

Raw graphical fidelity is less consistent than the art direction. Some call it Grasshopper’s best-looking work, while others point to dated environments, uneven lighting, low-detail scenes, or technical softness.

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

Exploration often pays off with upgrades, collectibles, and hidden material, and some stages invite satisfying detours. Backtracking and Subspace navigation can undermine that sense of discovery.

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

Variety is one of the game’s defining strengths. Third-person action, pixel-art hub exploration, horror, comics, minigames, dungeons, and other format shifts make the experience unusually unpredictable.

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

One reviewer explicitly wishes more upgrade and farming tasks were handled through straightforward menus, finding the repeated hands-on routines charming at first but increasingly cumbersome.

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

Grinding is manageable when save points let players quickly respawn nearby enemies, but some reviewers still resent being pushed into farming for late upgrades or harder encounters.

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

Most reviewers find substantial fun in the combat spectacle, Bastards, bosses, and sheer unpredictability, but a sizable minority is worn down by repetition, rough controls, and navigation.

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

Reviewers who connect with the cast praise the care given to relationships and recurring crew members. More critical sources argue that major characters remain thin or never become emotionally convincing.

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

The fractured space-time setting, bizarre institutions, crew, horror detours, and mixed-media presentation create an unusually immersive world for reviewers who embrace the game’s logic.

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

The colorful Space-Time Police crew is a major source of charm. Reviewers often enjoy returning to the ship just to hear new conversations and spend time with its strange, likable personalities.

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

Enemy variety is mixed and trends weaker late in the game. Some reviewers enjoy distinct tactical threats and weak-point roles, while others feel the same small pool is recycled too often.

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

Most reviewers like the punchy, unsettling audio and how it supports the action and horror tone. One detailed PS5 assessment reports tinny sound and sibilant dialogue, creating a notable dissenting view.

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

Beneath the gore and absurdity, several reviewers find genuine melancholy, loss, and tenderness. The best story beats and boss setups can hit surprisingly hard when the game’s emotional wavelength connects.

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

Reward quality depends on the activity. Some optional content delivers worthwhile badges and materials, while generic combat dungeons are criticized for offering little worth chasing.

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

Quirky banter, one-liners, and crew conversations are often charming, but the quantity of text and occasional nonsense can become tiring for reviewers less receptive to the style.

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

The game’s strongest locations can feel intensely distinct, from cozy pixel-art downtime aboard The Last Night to oppressive, grotesque horror spaces. Its tonal confidence is a major attraction.

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

The denser story material rewards close reading and replay for reviewers who enjoy interpretation. Layers of meaning, notes, and recurring themes leave some players wanting to revisit the game with a notebook.

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

The routine of clearing enemies, dipping into Subspace, and repeating objectives wears thin for several reviewers. Creative detours help, but the standard loop is often described as repetitive or tedious.

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

Voice work is generally well received, with several reviewers singling out Romeo’s performance and the cast’s delivery. A few sources find parts of the English voice work merely adequate or uneven.

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

High-energy combat and rapid tonal shifts keep the best stretches moving, but repeated Subspace trips, late-game gauntlets, and drawn-out navigation repeatedly interrupt that momentum.

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 often bring out the combat’s best qualities by forcing full use of weapons, Bastards, and boss patterns. Cheap attacks, uneven spikes, and a too-easy standard setting create some disagreement.

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

One reviewer specifically disliked how scarce upgrade materials can push players toward investing in only a small part of the weapon roster rather than experimenting freely.

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

Basic combat is easy to pick up, but weapon switching, aiming, Bastard use, and higher difficulties take longer to internalize. Some reviewers enjoy that mastery curve; others find the adaptation needlessly awkward.

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

Ranged combat is useful for weak points, yet aiming frequently draws criticism for slow speed, awkward camera movement, manual-aim feel, and cumbersome reload behavior.

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

Build flexibility comes from combining weapons, badges, consumables, and Bastard loadouts rather than cosmetic creation. Reviewers like how those choices support different combat approaches.

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

Art direction earns near-universal enthusiasm. The game constantly shifts among 3D action, pixel art, comics, animation, retro interfaces, and other styles while retaining a distinct Grasshopper identity.

Checkpoints are functional but divisive. Some reviewers appreciate returning to an activated point with a retry buff, while others dislike old-school save-point rules and unforgiving placement.

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

One reviewer strongly wishes for a physical copy specifically to keep and display on a shelf, showing clear collector appeal despite the lack of a broader consensus.

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

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

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

The same parental assessment rates the game poorly for family suitability due to its extreme violence and strong language, even if the gore can be exaggerated and comic.

The limited ship travel works more like a stylish level-select and resource-gathering interlude than free flight. The one direct assessment found its restrictions acceptable.

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

The asylum chapter is the standout horror moment, with stalking, disturbing imagery, puzzles, and a helpless-player setup that several horror-focused reviewers find genuinely effective.

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

Chapters regularly introduce new eras, gimmicks, or genre shifts, which helps the campaign avoid feeling identical from start to finish even when the underlying objective structure repeats.

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

Romeo is usually seen as a solid or compelling lead, with his earnestness and growth helping anchor the chaos. Even positive reviewers sometimes want more depth behind his fixation on Juliet.

The Romeo-and-Juliet relationship is a major point of disagreement. Some reviewers find its messy, unhealthy dynamic fascinating, while others think the central romance lacks enough substance to justify Romeo’s devotion.

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

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