Recently, I was in a bit of a game rut, as I had finished up a couple major titles and even played a few retro games for nostalgia’s sake. I wasn’t sure where to go next; I wanted a game that I could really sink my teeth into, one that would let me lose myself in the story.

I’d heard some good things about Avowed, the latest game from Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. Even better, it’s available for free on Xbox Game Pass. With the price of gaming being so high these days, a free game is hard to pass up.

While I wasn’t sure what to expect (even as a Game Pass veteran, I can’t easily shake that skeptical feeling when something is “free”). Turns out, Avowed is exactly what I was looking for—a jam-packed RPG with deep story and customization options, and loads of replay value.

The overworld is gorgeous and looks great on my Xbox Series X. What’s more, it’s packed full of interesting areas to explore, enemies to fight, mysteries to solve, and side-quests to grind. It’s honestly the most fun I’ve had playing an RPG since Elden Ring, and the game feels like a big win for Xbox.

I chose the “War Hero” archetype for my character bio and history, and I love the way the game opens up special dialogue options depending upon the customizations players make. The combat isn’t nearly as difficult as a FromSoft game, but it’s engaging enough to make for a relaxed adventure with just enough difficulty, providing a nice balance to the exploration and questing.

Given the success of Indian Jones and the Great Circle, Xbox now has two big hits in the last year with the release of Avowed. (Yes the game is available on Steam, but in terms of consoles, it’s an exclusive.) Avowed shows that Xbox is still a major player in the gaming industry and provides fans with a lot of reasons for optimism.

Tell us what you think? Have you played Avowed? Share your reactions below or join the conversation on Boss Rush Network’s Discord, Facebook, and Twitter.

Featured Image: Xbox Game Studios