Avowed vs The Outer Worlds 2
Obsidian's 2025 RPGs pit fantasy intimacy against sci-fi satire, but only one nails companion writing.
Smarter than the Skyrim-killer pitch suggested; smaller, too — Avowed is Obsidian writing in a tighter playground than fans hoped for.
Obsidian writing is back at full peak — Outer Worlds 2 sharpens what the first game whispered, with companions and corporate satire that finally feel essential.
Steam popularity
Avowed
Apr 2026 peak CCU 952 ↓ 16% MoM
All-time peak 19,161
The Outer Worlds 2
Steam Charts hasn't recorded a calendar month yet.
Key differences
World scope
Avowed offers a smaller, hand-crafted ~35-hour fantasy world.
The Outer Worlds 2 uses zone-based maps, not seamless sandboxes, but with a new solar system to explore.
Combat style
Avowed features first-person fantasy combat with a stamina/stagger loop and real loot loop.
The Outer Worlds 2 has gunplay a notch behind dedicated shooters of 2025.
Companion system
Avowed has stiff companion AI and dialogue trees that don't react to full character history.
The Outer Worlds 2 has companion writing as a load-bearing system with banter, quest reactivity, and romance.
Which one is for you?
Pick Avowed if
- You prefer fantasy settings and first-person combat
- You enjoy the Pillars of Eternity franchise and want more Eora lore
- A tighter, more directed narrative appeals to you
Pick The Outer Worlds 2 if
- You love Obsidian's writing and satire, especially in Fallout New Vegas
- Companion interactions and romance options are a top priority
- You enjoy sci-fi settings and corporate-dystopia themes
Bottom line
Choose Avowed for a more intimate fantasy experience, but if companion writing and satire are key, The Outer Worlds 2 is the better bet.