Avowed is Leaving Xbox: PS5 Port Arrives Feb 17 With a Big Anniversary Patch

Why Avowed on PS5 actually matters (and why I noticed)

This caught my attention because Obsidian’s Avowed was pitched as a flagship Xbox/PC fantasy RPG built on the Pillars of Eternity world-so its arrival on PS5 with a full Anniversary Update changes a few long‑standing assumptions about platform fences and what “complete” means a year after launch. Microsoft is still the publisher, but the PS5 edition launches digitally on February 17, 2026 with New Game Plus, photo mode, three new playable races, a new weapon type, and all the post‑launch polish Xbox and PC players have already seen.

• Key takeaways: PS5 players get a patched and polished Avowed day one; Xbox/PC players receive the same Anniversary Update for free.
• The update is substantive: NG+, appearance edits, three races (Aumaua, Dwarf, Orlan), a new weapon type, and Photo Mode.
• Obsidian had to retune core systems (combat, parkour, weapon feel) for new body types-this wasn’t just a cosmetic add.
• No physical PS5 edition is announced; price is $49.99 standard, $59.99 Deluxe with artbook, soundtrack, armors, and companion skins.

Release facts gamers actually need

Game: Avowed. Developer: Obsidian Entertainment. Publisher: Xbox Game Studios/Microsoft. Original release was February 18, 2025 on Xbox Series X|S and PC. PS5 release date is February 17, 2026, digital only. Game Pass continues to include Avowed on Xbox and PC. The Deluxe edition ($59.99) bundles a digital artbook, soundtrack, two extra player armors and eight companion skins; the Standard edition is $49.99.

Breaking down the Anniversary Update: what actually changes

New Game Plus that isn’t a victory lap

NG+ unlocks after completing the campaign and carries over equipped gear and abilities, while resetting character level to 1. Enemies are modified to remain a challenge, so it’s more than the usual “I’m overpowered now” mode-Obsidian tuned it so player skill and build choice still matter. For people who liked the idea of trying radically different archetypes without grinding new loot, this is the most useful change.

Three new playable races — and real tuning work behind them

The Aumaua, Dwarf, and Orlan are added to character creation. This matters in a first‑person RPG where camera height, animation timing, and collision all affect traversal and combat. Obsidian admits getting this right was difficult because parkour, weapons, and spells all needed race‑aware tuning. So the races are more than vanity—they alter feel and function.

New weapon type, Photo Mode, and appearance edits

The update introduces a new weapon type (details kept intentionally vague), which likely opens fresh archetypes rather than cloning existing options. Photo Mode adds modern capture tools for the Living Lands’ visuals and spell effects. You can also change your character’s appearance from the overworld without starting over and use new presets—welcome quality‑of‑life for role‑players and creators.

What this means for players on each platform

PS5 owners get the game in its most polished state on day one: a year of fixes and balance plus the Anniversary features. That makes PS5 the logical “wait for the complete edition” buy for newcomers. Xbox and PC players aren’t left out—they receive the Anniversary Update for free as a title patch and keep Game Pass access.

A few caveats matter: there’s no announced physical PS5 edition, so collectors who prefer discs are left waiting; DualSense-specific features or concrete performance modes on PS5 haven’t been confirmed, so the experience might not feel fully optimized for PlayStation hardware the way some native first‑party titles are.

Why this fits a bigger industry trend

Microsoft’s willingness to publish Avowed on PS5 continues its post‑acquisition trend of broadening platform reach for certain titles. For gamers this reduces the pressure to buy into a specific ecosystem for narrative RPGs—but it also raises questions about the long tail of platform exclusivity. Avowed’s PS5 launch shows Microsoft is willing to sell more copies across ecosystems while keeping Game Pass as the convenient hub on Xbox and PC.

TL;DR

Avowed coming to PS5 on February 17, 2026 with a full Anniversary Update is a solid win for players who waited. It’s essentially the “complete” edition at a reasonable mid‑price, and Xbox/PC owners get the same features for free. The lack of a physical release and uncertain DualSense support are drawbacks, but Obsidian’s race tuning and NG+ show this is a meaningful update—not just DLC lipstick.