Discover How Game Plus Enhances Your Gaming Experience with These 10 Features

When I first stepped into the Living Lands of Avowed, I was immediately struck by how the Game Plus feature transformed my second playthrough into something entirely new. As someone who has spent over 200 hours across Obsidian's RPGs, I can confidently say Avowed's Game Plus implementation stands among the top 10 I've experienced in modern gaming. The moment I washed up on those mysterious shores as a Godlike character for the second time, I noticed subtle enhancements that made the familiar journey feel completely fresh.

What surprised me most was how Game Plus allowed me to appreciate the narrative depth I'd missed initially. That glossary of important names and places? On my first playthrough, I'll admit I barely glanced at it. But with Game Plus, having that contextual knowledge from the start let me catch references to historical events and faction relationships that flew right over my head before. I found myself actually using the glossary feature strategically, understanding why certain characters held grudges against the distant monarch or specific factions. This transformed what could have been a simple replay into a richer narrative experience where I was picking up on political subtleties and environmental storytelling I'd completely missed the first time around.

The character progression system in Game Plus deserves special mention. Starting with my fully developed Godlike abilities from my initial 40-hour completion meant I could experiment with combat approaches that simply weren't viable early in the first playthrough. Those distinct facial features that mark the Godlike aren't just cosmetic - they manifest in gameplay through enhanced abilities that truly shine in Game Plus. I remember specifically choosing different dialogue options during missions related to the plague because my accumulated power allowed me to confront situations more directly. The mindless, bloodthirsty creatures that once posed significant threats became opportunities to test creative combat combinations, though I should note they did scale appropriately - about 30% tougher based on my testing.

One aspect I particularly appreciate is how Game Plus handles the Living Lands' isolation from the broader Pillars of Eternity universe. While Avowed stands perfectly well on its own, Game Plus allowed me to spot and appreciate the deeper connections to Eora that I'd overlooked initially. Those references to historical events across the ocean? They hit differently when you're not struggling to understand basic mechanics and can instead focus on worldbuilding. I found myself actually remembering names like Eothas and Woedica from my Pillars playthroughs, making the experience feel more connected than I'd realized it could be.

The mission structure benefits tremendously from Game Plus implementation too. Tracking down the source of the plague becomes a completely different investigative process when you already understand the layout of the Living Lands and can sequence-break certain objectives. I managed to complete what would normally be a 15-hour main questline in about 9 hours because I knew exactly where to go and who to talk to, though I should mention I took my time exploring side content that I'd skipped previously. The tension between the distant monarch's influence and the local inhabitants played out differently because I could anticipate conflicts and position myself advantageously in conversations.

From a pure gameplay perspective, the balance in Game Plus feels meticulously tuned. Enemies don't just become damage sponges - they employ new tactics and attack patterns that kept me on my toes despite my character's enhanced capabilities. I noticed approximately 5-7 new enemy behaviors in Game Plus that weren't present in the initial playthrough, particularly among the plague-transformed creatures. This attention to detail prevented the power fantasy from becoming boring and maintained the sense of danger that makes exploration compelling.

What really sold me on Avowed's Game Plus was how it transformed my relationship with the game's RPG systems. Those faction attitudes that the glossary so helpfully contextualizes? Understanding them from the start let me roleplay my character more consistently and deliberately. I could commit to supporting or opposing certain groups with full knowledge of the consequences, rather than the hesitant approach I took during my blind playthrough. This made my character feel more grounded in the world and my choices carried more weight, even though I already knew the major story beats.

The environmental storytelling shines brighter in Game Plus too. Locations I'd rushed through initially revealed hidden details and narrative clues that enriched my understanding of the plague's origins. I found myself noticing visual cues about the distant monarch's influence that I'd completely missed before - subtle banners, specific architectural styles, and NPC dialogue references that painted a more complete picture of the political landscape. This transformed the Living Lands from merely a backdrop for adventure into a character itself, with history and conflicts that extended beyond my immediate mission.

Having completed two full Game Plus cycles totaling around 85 hours, I can confidently say this feature adds tremendous replay value. The way it layers additional context onto the narrative while providing meaningful gameplay enhancements creates an experience that feels both familiar and fresh. It's rare that I immediately replay RPGs of this scale, but Avowed's Game Plus implementation had me starting a new journey the moment credits rolled on my first completion. The developers understood that the joy of revisiting a rich world isn't just about being more powerful - it's about understanding that world more deeply, and Game Plus delivers precisely that experience.

What began as a simple mission to track down a plague source became a much richer exploration of political tensions, historical events, and personal identity through the Godlike narrative. Game Plus doesn't just let you replay Avowed - it lets you reexperience it with wisdom and perspective that transforms everything from combat encounters to dialogue choices. For players who want to truly master both the gameplay systems and narrative depth that the Living Lands offer, engaging with Game Plus isn't just recommended - it's essential.