Before I started playing Avowed, I was playing Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth. You can't kill NPCs, you can't steal, and you can't do whatever you want. You can't kill NPCs in Witcher 3(besides guards) and nobody cares what you steal. Mass Effect games is are same way.
The point is, not every RPG has to have Elder Scrolls level interaction to be a good and fun game. People are so caught up with comparing Avowed to ES because they are similar, people think this means it needs all the same bells and whistles, but it doesn't.
Avoweds focus is on exploration, combat, character choice, dialogue, and story. I don't see many RPGs have a parkour system like Avowed or the level of flexibility and choice in combat. And guess what? That is okay. I will still enjoy Avowed for what it offers and enjoy other RPGs what what they offer. Comparison is the thief of joy.
Do I have some issues with Avowed? Sure, but nothing that would take away from my complete experience of the game (for now.)