With the recent release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's time to assess whether Warhorse Studios' sequel successfully captures the magic of its predecessor. I've spent 10 hours exploring this historical RPG, and my initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive. The game's compelling nature has me itching to play more, but let's delve into a detailed analysis first.
Table of Contents
- Comparison with the First Game
- Bugs
- Realism and Difficulty
- Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
Comparison with the First Game
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II retains the open-world action RPG formula of its predecessor, emphasizing historical accuracy and realistic mechanics. You can choose your path, playing as a valiant knight, a cunning thief, or a diplomatic peacemaker. Resource management, including eating and sleeping, is crucial, and facing multiple enemies requires careful strategy. Direct combat against several opponents is challenging, but rewarding.
Image: ensiplay.com
Graphically, the game is a significant leap forward. The landscapes are breathtaking, yet the performance is surprisingly optimized for both PCs and consoles—a welcome balance rarely seen in modern AAA titles.
Image: ensiplay.com
Combat has received subtle yet significant improvements. The streamlined attack system, easier enemy switching, and more rhythmic parrying create a more intuitive, yet still challenging, experience. Enemy AI is enhanced, leading to more tactical depth and unpredictable encounters.
Image: ensiplay.com
Group combat is particularly engaging. Enemies actively attempt to flank and outmaneuver you, and injured foes strategically retreat to allow their allies to continue the fight. This creates a more immersive and believable battle experience.
Image: ensiplay.com
Beyond alchemy and dice games, blacksmithing adds another layer of depth. Crafting provides both income and access to high-quality equipment, promising long-term engagement. The unique control scheme, however, adds a surprising level of difficulty to even simple tasks like forging horseshoes.
Image: ensiplay.com
Bugs
While the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance faced criticism for its technical issues, the sequel launches in a much more polished state. During my 10 hours of gameplay, I encountered only minor bugs. A few instances of flickering dialogue buttons and a minor graphical glitch were easily resolved with a simple restart. These were minor visual hiccups, not game-breaking issues.
Image: ensiplay.com
Realism and Difficulty
Image: ensiplay.com
The game maintains a strong sense of realism without sacrificing enjoyment. The challenges feel believable and contribute to the immersive experience.
The lack of a difficulty setting might deter less hardcore gamers. However, the difficulty isn't excessively punishing. Players familiar with titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim should be able to manage, provided they approach combat strategically.
Image: ensiplay.com
The historical detail is impressive. While I can't verify its complete accuracy, the game's approach is commendable; it subtly encourages players to learn more about the historical context without being overly didactic.
Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
Newcomers to the series needn't worry; the game seamlessly integrates newcomers. The prologue effectively summarizes the events of the first game, allowing players to grasp Henry's backstory without prior experience.
Image: ensiplay.com
The opening hours are exceptionally well-paced, blending tutorials with engaging gameplay. Within the first hour, players will experience combat, humor, and the rich atmosphere of medieval Bohemia.
While a full judgment of the story and quests requires more playtime, my initial impressions are highly positive. The game's strength and polish are impressive. Whether this quality persists throughout the full 100+ hours of gameplay remains to be seen.
Image: ensiplay.com
After 10 hours, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is shaping up to be a fantastic RPG. The improvements over the first game are substantial, and the core gameplay loop is engaging. It's a game that deserves further exploration.
