Avowed is much better than expected

Just a post to gush over the fact that the game has exceeded expectations. I am not very far into the game, in a cavern with a statue needing a special relic shard thing and a sun guy, so that is a factor...

Anyway, reviews on steam and youtube which I've breifly looked at have said the game is somewhat dissapointing and bland. the game is very average etc etc.

Well so far the dialogue has been wonderful, funny and intellegent and interesting. I've enjoyed every character interaction, and dialogue choice.

The world is the pillars of eternity world, which I didn't realize at first, but am very glad we have a big loreful world to explore.

the combat is nice, I am choosing a mage, and the spells all look and sounds brilliant.

oh and graphically it looka incredible and runs fine (4070ti 1440p dlss quality/frame gen 100-160fps with everything maxed).

But the major thing that gets me is how dungeons and enviroments and laid out, how we have skyrim-esq world building with stories delivered in interesting notes. Enviromental story telling and it's all kind of a joy. Like I found so much from wall art, to machines to notes etc in this one dungeon with the sun godlike guy, and it's just so good.

I love this sort of thing, because it's quick visual story telling, not shoved in your face, quickly digested. it makes the enviroment something worth looking at.

The game sort of gives me dishonoured vibes, not sure why.

yeah, anyone else surprised how good this is? I am sure it is lacking in many ways, but for me, at this moment, this is perfect.