With the recent release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's time to delve into whether Warhorse Studios' second venture into portraying Czech history through video games is worth exploring. Having spent 10 hours immersed in the game, my initial urge to dive back into the world of Kingdom Come rather than work speaks volumes about its allure. Let's break down what makes this game stand out.
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Table of Content
- Comparison with the First Game
- Bugs
- Realism and Difficulty
- Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
Comparison with the First Game
Much like its predecessor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is an open-world Action RPG that focuses on historical accuracy and realistic mechanics. Players can choose to embody a valiant knight, a stealthy thief, or opt for diplomacy to resolve conflicts. Essential activities like eating and sleeping are crucial for maintaining your character's efficiency, while tackling three bandits alone remains a formidable challenge.
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One of the first things that strikes you is the enhanced graphics. The landscapes are even more breathtaking than before, and yet, the game runs smoothly without straining your PC or console. This balance is a rare gem in modern AAA titles.
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The combat system has undergone minor yet impactful improvements. The reduction of attack directions by one simplifies the mechanics, while switching between enemies and parrying now feels more like a rhythmic dance than a surefire strategy. While combat has become more intuitive, it hasn't lost its challenge. The game introduces greater tactical variety, with enemies displaying more intelligent behavior.
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Battles against groups of enemies highlight their strategic advantage, as they attempt to flank and attack from behind. If an enemy is severely injured, they retreat behind their allies, allowing others to take the forefront.
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In addition to the existing alchemy, dice, and other mini-games, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II introduces blacksmithing. This new craft not only provides a source of income but also allows you to forge quality equipment. With a variety of items to create, the process remains engaging. The unique controls made forging a horseshoe more challenging for me than crafting swords and axes.
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Bugs
Many recall the initial technical issues of Kingdom Come: Deliverance. However, the sequel launches in a much more polished state, as expected from a large-scale RPG.
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In my experience, I've encountered only minor bugs. Early on, dialogue selection buttons flickered and became unresponsive, but a simple restart resolved the issue. Another time, a tavern maid climbed onto a table and then teleported back to the floor. These are minor visual glitches that don't detract significantly from the experience.
Realism and Difficulty
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II strikes a balance with its realism, ensuring gameplay remains engaging without becoming tedious. The game's believability enhances immersion significantly.
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There's no difficulty selection, which might deter those who prefer less challenging games. However, it's not as punishing as Dark Souls. If you've managed to complete The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on any difficulty, you should be able to navigate Kingdom Come—just avoid recklessly engaging groups of enemies alone.
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The historical aspect is meticulously crafted. While I'm not a historian, the game's approach to history feels authentic and encourages players to explore further without force-feeding facts.
Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
Importantly, even those who haven't played the first game can easily jump into Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. The prologue smoothly introduces the events of the original, ensuring newcomers grasp Henry's backstory.
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The epic opening not only sets the stage but also blends solid tutorials with an engaging pace. Within the first hour, you'll find yourself fighting, laughing, and fully immersed in medieval Bohemia.
It's too early to fully judge the story and quests, but what I've experienced so far is impressive. Whether this quality persists throughout the estimated 100 hours of gameplay remains to be seen.
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These are my initial impressions after spending 10 hours in this medieval life simulator. The improvements across the board from the first game are evident, shaping up to be a fantastic RPG. Whether it maintains its strengths throughout the full playthrough is something we'll discover in time.
