Avowed is the latest RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, the same development studio behind The Outer Worlds, Pillars of Eternity, Fallout: New Vegas, and other acclaimed titles. Set in a fantasy world of magic and curses, Avowed pits you as a Godlike who needs to stop a plague from consuming an entire foreign continent. At the same time, you're an imperial envoy from your homeland and need to contend with political dissidents, assassins, and warring settlements.

Across your journey in Avowed, you'll complete dozens of quests, recruit several companions, and travel to vastly different environments. One question you might have before jumping into Avowed is exactly how long it takes to beat the new RPG. We'll answer that question for all playstyles in the guide below.

How long to beat Avowed - Main story length

If you're just looking to beat Avowed's main story, it will take you roughly 25 hours if you breeze right through it without partaking in any additional content. Hopping from main quest to main quest will cause you to miss a majority of the different maps in Avowed, however. The main quests only take you to a few set locations on all of the maps, leaving much of the other areas unexplored if you only stick to the story.

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In Avowed, you play as a Godlike, granting you special abilities that other people don't possess. This has a few gameplay implications, one of which are the Ancient Memories that can be found in Avowed. Not only do these provide some backstory for the world, but they also unlock powerful passive abilities. There are five total Ancient Memories, one in each large region of Avowed. The locations for each region's Ancient Memory are listed in same order in which you'll visit the locations, so you can easily keep up as you work through the story. Naturally, be aware this guide necessarily contains some light spoilers.

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• Dawnshore Ancient Memory location

Dawnshore Ancient Memory locationThe Ancient Memory can be found in Watcher's Mirror.

The first Ancient Memory is the only one tied directly to a side quest, "The Call of the Past," which prompts you to search for the Ancient Memory. The Dawnshore Ancient Memory can be found in Watcher's Mirror, which is located in the northeastern area called The Rise. In Watcher's Mirror just head east, where you will find a broken bridge, with the Ancient Memory floating in the air there.

Dawnshore's Ancient Memory is located at the end of this bridge.

After going through the memory, you will be given the Remembrance of Kishamal passive, which increases your maximum health by 10%.

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One of the earlier side quests you can take on in Avowed is called "Mapping the Living Lands." You accept this quest from Sanza in Paradis once you get through the first couple of story missions. Sanza employs a cartographer named Geirmund who has gone missing somewhere in Dawnshore and he tasks you with finding him, or whatever is left of him.

Unfortunately, unlike other side quests in Avowed, Mapping the Living Lands gives you no quest marker on the map, so you have little idea of where to look for the cartographer. While you can stumble about for a bit trying to find Geirmund on your own, you can also look at the guide below to make things far easier on yourself.

Dawnshore Cartographer's location in Avowed

The only piece of information Sanza gives you about Geirmund's location is to the east of Paradis near a cave. While that might be helpful if you've already explored a large chunk of Dawnshore, that vague description likely means nothing to you if your map is still mostly fogged out.

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In Obsidian's latest RPG, Avowed, you'll explore several diverse regions of a fantasy world while fighting magical enemies, digging up rare loot, and--if you're lucky, saving the world from a mysterious plague all while political turmoil threatens to destabilize The Living Lands. Things can get messy and complicated, but with our Avowed guides, they don't have to be that way. Find all of our Avowed guides in one place right here, arranged by category.

Avowed starter guides

Use these guides if you're just starting out in The Living Lands.

• How long is Avowed?
• Avowed tips
• Best abilities to unlock first in Avowed
• How to get more Adra

Avowed quest guides

These guides will assist you in Avowed's trickier quests, which often come with objectives, but few map markers.

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There's one resource that plays a major role in every facet of Avowed: Adra. This glowing, green rock is at the center of most issues in the Living Lands, but it's also incredibly valuable to you, as well as any animancer that you come across. Adra's main purpose, aside from story elements, is to upgrade your gear.

If you want to ensure your gear is always at its highest level, then you'll need to gather quite a lot of Adra in Avowed. To see the best ways to do that, keep reading the guide below.

How to get Adra in Avowed

There are three primary ways you'll be able to add Adra to your inventory in Avowed. All three methods can be taken advantage of right from the opening hours of the game when you stumble into the Living Lands and the first map in Dawnshore. However, you shouldn't expect to get a massive amount of Adra at any point in Avowed, as the resource is quite rare regardless of how you go about getting it.

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In Dawnshore, the first region in Avowed, you can purchase the Treasure Map for the Intimidating Feline Codpiece from The Best Offense, the armor merchant at Claviger's Landing for 100 Gold. The merchants are located right next to the docks and the fast travel point location there. This leads to the Legendary armor Stelgaer's Pride, which is a much higher quality level than most gear in Dawnshore. Here's where you can find the Intimidating Feline Codpiece treasure.

Where to find Intimidating Feline CodpieceThe treasure is located underneath the area shown, but you will need to approach from the South.

The treasure can be found underneath Watcher's Mirror, in the northeast part of the map. To find it you will need to head to the Yellowband Camp further south and head to the east to cliff near the river.

Head through the small opening in the rocks shown above.

Once you reach the cliff, start heading north towards Watcher's Mirror while staying near the ledge. There will be a small path to follow on the cliff edge moving north.

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Captain Henqua's Spoils is a treasure map found in Dawnshore, the first area of Avowed. This treasure map can be found on top of the lighthouse, which is located just west of Calviger's Landing, which is in the southern part of the map and where you first arrive in The Living Lands. To reach the top of the Lighthouse, head to the base of the building and use ledges and scaffolding to climb to the top of the tower, moving in a spiral around the building. Tracking down this treasure will reward you with a Superb quality shield far earlier than you can normally get one.

Where to find Captain Henqua's SpoilsHenqua's Spoils are found in an underwater cave at the location shown above.

After obtaining the treasure map from the top of the lighthouse, follow the river north until you reach a broken archway over the river, just next to the Western Pargrun Wall Beacon fast travel point.

From here, jump into the river and swim underwater towards the shore you jumped from.

On the southern side of the arch, go to the river bed and look for a large amount of roots.

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In Avowed, you can find treasure maps throughout the game, which lead to treasure chests containing unique gear, sometimes at a much higher rarity than usual in that area. In Dawnshore, you can purchase a treasure map from Sanza's Emporium for 100 Gold, Wodeica's Inheritance, which leads to the Gloves of the Strangler, a unique set of gloves. Sanza' Emporium is a ship found in Northern Paradis, which is considered a separate region from the main part of the city and is accessed via the main quest.

Where to find Woedica's InheritanceWoedica's Inheritance can be found outside the eastern wall of Paradis.

To find Woedica's Inheritance, you should start at the Eastern Paradis Gate Beacon fast travel point. From there, head outside of Paradis and start heading north alongside the exterior wall of the city.

Outside Paradis, follow the wall shown above into the corner.

You will quickly follow a small path, leading to what looks like a dead end in the wall, but with what is clearly a secret door.

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By the end of February, players will get their hands on Monster Hunter Wilds after sampling the open beta earlier this month. While anticipation for the sequel seems to be high, Wilds will have a long way to go to match the sales numbers put up by its predecessor, Monster Hunter World. In the last quarter alone, Monster Hunter World added another 1 million units sold, and it hasn't shown any signs of slowing down.

Via Automaton, Capcom has shared the financial results for its last fiscal quarter ending in December 2024. According to that report, Monster Hunter World's latest numbers have pushed it to 28.1 million copies sold. It was already Capcom's best-selling game of all time, and a very consistent performer over the past year. From the numbers provided in Capcom's March 2024 financial results, Monster Hunter World has been selling approximately 1 million copies every three months.

Monster Hunter World's DLC expansion, Iceborne, also sold 900,000 units during the final months of 2024. Those numbers may have been helped by holiday discounts for both Iceborne and its parent game, as well as the ongoing hype for Monster Hunter Wilds. Regardless of the cause, Monster Hunter has become one of Capcom's most successful franchises with 108 million units sold, which is only behind Resident Evil's 167 million units.

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It seems like the PS5 and Xbox Series X came out just yesterday, but it appears that Xbox is already looking ahead to the next generation of hardware. A new report from Windows Central's Jez Corden says that "Xbox's next-gen console hardware" has moved past early pitch stages, meaning that it's been approved by management for the next stage of development.

It's not clear what exactly this might mean for the timeline of said console's reveal and ultimate release, but it's a possible indication that Xbox is moving forward with a clear idea for its new console. Xbox representatives have consistently promised that its next console will make the "largest technical leap" ever seen from one hardware generation to another, which is a significant promise, given that the Xbox Series X is already the most powerful console ever made.

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer recently said that the next Xbox should be "more innovative"--what exactly that looks like remains to be seen. Microsoft has continued to embrace its multi-platform strategy, as its recent timed exclusive Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will hit PS5 next spring. Rumors and speculation from analysts have big franchises like the new Gears of War or Perfect Dark might come to PS5 as well, given Xbox's stated approach. Meanwhile, PlayStation's recent State of Play event featured the announcement of Saros, the next game from Returnal developer Housemarque, as well as Days Gone Remastered.

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One of the big reveals of the PlayStation February State of Play was a first look at Saros, the next game from developer Housemarque. A spiritual sequel to Returnal, Saros builds on the foundation of that roguelike action game and is described as the "ultimate evolution" of the company's approach to gameplay-first adventures. The debut cinematic trailer for Saros was short, but it did reveal a few details for eagle-eyed viewers. Here's everything we know about the game so far, ahead of its upcoming release.

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• When will Saros released?
• Preorder Saros

When will Saros released?

Housemarque has set a release window of 2026 for Saros.

Preorder Saros

Preorders are not yet available for Saros.

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This year marks the 30th anniversary of the original Twisted Metal game for the PS1. So it's only fitting that the Twisted Metal TV series will return for Season 2 later in 2025. Peacock has released the first look at Twisted Metal Season 2, which features Anthony Mackie's John Doe briefly recapping the first season while teasing the vehicular combat that's on the way.

John doesn't really spend a lot of time on the small details in the video. He mentions that he fell in love with Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz) and they became acquainted with the deadly clown known as Sweet Tooth, who is voiced by Will Arnett and physically portrayed by former AEW World champion Joe Seanoa--aka Samoa Joe. This season, John will finally come face-to-face with Dollface, his long-missing sister.

The trailer also features the first glimpse of Anthony Carrigan as Calypso--the man behind the Twisted Metal tournament--as well as the other drivers that John and Quiet will have to go through in order to win the ultimate prize. After Carrigan portrayed NoHo Hank for four seasons on HBO's Barry with a completely shaved head, it's kind of weird seeing him with a full head of hair as Calypso.

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Microsoft's cross-platform release strategy puts the company in a unique position this year--as it currently stands, there are more Xbox first-party games than Sony titles confirmed for a PlayStation release in 2025.

The February 2025 State of Play livestream on Wednesday contained announcements for several games, but the presentation showcased very few first-party PlayStation games, instead highlighting many third-party titles like Monster Hunter Wilds and Borderlands 4. The only notable Sony-published PS5 titles shown were a Days Gone re-release, Lost Soul Aside, and Housemarque's Saros, which is scheduled for 2026.

For those keeping track (and as pointed out by Eurogamer), Sony's PS5 games confirmed for 2025 are Days Gone Remastered, Lost Soul Aside, MLB: The Show 25 (which also releases for Xbox and Nintendo Switch), Ghost of Yōtei, and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Release windows for Marvel's Wolverine, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and Marathon from Bungie have yet to be confirmed.

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It is Valentine's Day on February 14, and to celebrate, Rockstar Games is giving GTA Online players free stuff and offering up bonuses for couples-themed game modes.

Everyone who logs in to GTA Online now through February 19 will get the Heartbreaker Robe, while men get the Heartbreaker boxer shorts and women get the Heartbreaker bustier. All of this clothing will simply show up in your wardrobe--check out the gear below.

Play GTA Online this week and get all this free clothing.

In addition to the free stuff, Rockstar is offering extra in-game rewards for the Till Death Do Us Part mode. In this mod, two players share a single life, with the last pair standing winning. Players get triple rewards for playing the mode this week, along with a Heartbreak pendant--see it below.

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Amazing Seasun has confirmed that an open beta for its multiplayer mecha shooter Mecha Break will begin on February 23. It will be the most comprehensive one for the game yet, featuring most of what players can expect in Mecha Break at release.

The Global Storm Open Beta begins at 2 AM PT / 5 AM PT on February 23, while no end date has been confirmed yet. Global Storm will contain the 6v6 Operation Verge and 3v3 Ace Arena modes that have been in previous Mecha Break betas, but it will be the first to feature full cross-play across PC and console and include Mashmak. Mashmak is Mecha Break's PvPvE extraction mode, where teams of players work together or fight each other over an element called Corite.

Mashmak gets its name from the map on which this mode takes place. An evil organization called Theia's Vanguard has taken over the Mashmak Isles and its massive supply of Corite. That serves as the narrative backdrop for why players explore, collect resources, and fight each other before extracting. From a gameplay perspective, Mashmak stands out because players can equip themselves with special mode-exclusive equipment to enhance their suits' abilities.

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Metroidvania fans have plenty of games to choose from these days, as countless AAA and indie developers have taken their own turns exploring the search-action concept. For the most part, these are amalgamations of different influences and cultural touchstones blended together to such a degree that they aren't direct homages. Blade Chimera, by comparison, wears its influences proudly on its sleeve. The near-future metroidvania plays like a clear next-step evolution of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, while borrowing bits of Metal Gear and Devil May Cry for its stylistic elements and occult-inspired worldbuilding. It makes for an enthralling concoction and easily my favorite game of the year so far.

You play as Shin, a high-ranking officer in The Church of the Holy Union--a religious cult that doubles as paramilitary peacekeepers. The future has become overrun by demons, and as a Venator, you hunt down these rogue demons to protect the populace. Very early in the game, Shin comes across an ethereal demon named Lux who binds her spirit to him. This immediately complicates matters, as from that point on, Shin is guarding a secret from his fellow cultists while seeking to understand the strange bond between himself and his demon companion.

That premise gives you lots of reason to fight through monsters, and the cyberpunk Osaka, Japan setting means most of the demons are modeled after yokai--though there are some other inspirations, like one named Lucifer or even the comical Mr. President. Shin is a specialist at taking down demons, and the combat feels appropriately crunchy to empower you as a veteran demon hunter. You gain an array of melee weapons--primarily swords, greatswords, and whips--and have the ability to strike diagonally and upwards with each of them. But since this is the near future, you also have access to firearms with their own properties. Plasma rifles can't be used underwater, for example, and some demons are immune to gunfire altogether. You can mix and match your weapon slots to include two melee weapons, two firearms, or one of each.

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PlayStation has announced that PS5 Pro support has been added to Astro Bot, and the first of five additional levels is live in the game today.

According to the PlayStation Blog, the PS5 Pro support comes with a constant resolution boost while still running at 60fps. The first of the five new levels will be added today, which is Tick-Tock Shock. The remaining ones will release weekly on Thursdays at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET. Thrust or Bust will release on February 20, Cock-A-Doodle-Doom on February 27, Hard to Bear on March 6, and Armored Hardcore on March 13.

These levels are harder than the ones introduced in Astro Bot's previous update, Winter Wonder. They'll also have a new bot to rescue and can be replayed in Time Attack mode with online rankings. Players will also have had to completed the main game to access these new levels.

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1047 Games announced that the open alpha test for Splitgate 2 will run from February 27 - March 2 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

The alpha test includes a new 24-player multi-team experience where players can split into three groups of eight and fight against each other. In these matches, there will be two modes to play: Domination and Hotzone. In Domination, teams will have to take over and control four zones while keeping other teams out. Hotzone works similarly except there's one central zone instead of four individual ones.

There are two additional new games modes called Splitball and Firecracker. The former combines classic capture the flag mechanics and Halo's Oddball. Players will need to hop between portals into enemy territory and steal Splitballs while defending their own home base. The latter is Spligate 2's take on the classic search & destroy mode.

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As part of Sony's recent State of Play, Gearbox announced a release date for Borderlands 4. The game is coming on September 23, 2025, and many are wondering what this means for GTA 6's release date given that Gearbox and Rockstar Games share a parent company. In this post, we're rounding up what we know about GTA 6's release date and how Borderlands 4 getting a release date in late September might factor in.

GTA 6 in Fall 2025

GTA 6 is officially set for release in Fall 2025 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, a window that parent company Take-Two has committed to on multiple occasions, including recently in February 2025. Fall 2025 begins in the Northern hemisphere on September 22. With Borderlands 4 set for release on September 23, it seems it would be Take-Two's first release of Fall 2025. So what does this mean for GTA 6's release date? We don't know, but there are clues.

Room to breathe

Back in November 2024, Take-Two president Strauss Zelnick said he wouldn't expect GTA 6 and Borderlands 4 to be released close to one another. "I think it's safe to say that we wouldn't--and no one would--stack up huge releases unnecessarily," he said.

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During February 12's State of Play, Konami confirmed an August 28 release date for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and teased that the Snake vs. Monkey crossover mode with Ape Escape would return on PS5. You may have missed that Xbox players will be getting a different crossover.

It looks like Xbox players can expect Snake to face off with Bomberman. Konami and Microsoft released a dedicated release date trailer for the Xbox version of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater shortly after the State of Play. In lieu of the shot teasing the Ape Escape collaboration, the Xbox trailer instead plays the iconic "alert" Metal Gear sound effect over an exclamation point. The square serving as the point on that punctuation then unfolds to reveal a cartoonish bomb, which then blows up and shows a camouflage version of Bomberman with the text "Snake vs. ???" overlayed.

While Konami isn't saying anything more about this special mode at this time, it's clear that this is a collaboration with another one of Konami's biggest franchises. Bomberman predates Metal Gear, as Hudson Soft created it in 1983. Konami has owned Bomberman since it acquired Hudson Soft in 2011 and developed new games in the series, like Super Bomberman R and its sequel.

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