| Game | Publisher | Developer | Platforms | Game Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avowed | Xbox | Obsidian Entertainment | PS5, Xbox Series X, PS5 Pro | Unreal Engine 5 |
Avowed has officially landed on PS5, and for an Xbox-published title, the initial technical report is surprisingly solid. Our friends over at Digital Foundry put the port through the wringer, finding it hard to fault – though we must concede, it's far from a technical showstopper overall. Running on the notoriously temperamental Unreal Engine 5, Avowed presents PS5 players with the usual trio of graphics modes: Quality, Balanced, and Performance. They largely deliver what they promise on the tin, but our take is that none quite hit the sweet spot.
Performance Breakdown: PS5 Graphics Modes
Quality Mode
This mode targets a 1440p resolution, capped at a stable 30 frames-per-second. However, in our experience, the relatively minor visual boost simply isn't worth the sacrifice in fluidity, especially considering how combat-heavy Avowed is. We find it difficult to recommend for general play.
Performance Mode
For those chasing smoother gameplay, Performance mode aims for a much smoother 60fps. The trade-off here is a resolution drop to an upscaled 1080p. While the frame rate is certainly appreciated, we feel it undersells the game’s often stunning environmental assets. Avowed can be a damn good looking game at times, and this mode isn't an ideal option if visuals are your priority.
Balanced Mode
The middle ground, Balanced mode, offers 40fps alongside better visuals – a decent compromise, but only if you're rocking a display that supports 120Hz. Without that, this option is off the table, highlighting a potential barrier for some players. It’s crucial to note that these mode configurations align perfectly with what we’ve seen on Xbox Series X, ensuring a consistent experience across current-gen base consoles.
PS5 Pro: A Missed Opportunity?
Here’s where things get a bit more disappointing, especially for PS5 Pro owners. In what's becoming something of a trend with Obsidian’s PlayStation ports, dedicated support for Sony's supercharged console is minimal to say the least. Pro players will benefit from more stable frame rates and resolution targets within the existing modes, but don't expect any fancy bells and whistles here.
There's no Pro-specific mode that attempts to blend the best of Quality and Performance, which we view as a significant oversight. Furthermore, Digital Foundry reports 'no sign' of Avowed utilizing the PS5 Pro's PSSR upscaling technology. This feels like another missed opportunity to truly leverage the Pro’s horsepower. While the RPG is at least running as intended on base PS5 hardware, the lack of Pro enhancements is a definite letdown for those who invested in the premium console.