Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: First Impressions

With the recent release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's time to determine if Warhorse Studios' second foray into Czech history through video games is worth your time.

Image: ensiplay.com

After 10 hours of gameplay, I'm compelled to say this game is incredibly engaging. Before I completely abandon my responsibilities, however, let's delve into a detailed analysis.

Table of Contents

• Comparison with the First Game
• Bugs
• Realism and Difficulty
• Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

Comparison with the First Game

Like its predecessor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is an open-world action RPG emphasizing historical accuracy and realistic mechanics. You can choose to play as a valiant knight, a stealthy rogue, or a diplomat, resolving conflicts through negotiation. Basic needs like eating and sleeping are crucial for maintaining your character's effectiveness, and facing multiple bandits alone is a significantly challenging undertaking.

Image: ensiplay.com

The graphics are immediately striking. Landscapes are even more breathtaking than before, yet the game runs smoothly on both PCs and consoles without the excessive system strain common in modern AAA titles. This balance is a welcome rarity.

Image: ensiplay.com

The combat system has received subtle but significant improvements. With a streamlined attack direction, switching between enemies is smoother, and parrying is now a more rhythmic and strategic dance rather than a guaranteed win. While more intuitive, combat remains challenging, offering increased tactical depth and more intelligent enemy AI.

Image: ensiplay.com

Engaging multiple enemies presents a more pronounced challenge than in most games. Enemies actively try to surround and flank you, and injured foes will strategically retreat behind their allies, creating a more dynamic and realistic fight.

Image: ensiplay.com

Beyond alchemy and dice games, blacksmithing has been added, offering a rewarding way to earn income and craft high-quality equipment. The variety of forgeable items ensures the craft remains engaging, although the unique controls initially presented a steeper learning curve for me (forging horseshoes proved more difficult than swords and axes!).

Image: ensiplay.com

Bugs

The original Kingdom Come: Deliverance is remembered for its technical issues at launch. Thankfully, the sequel has been released in a much more polished state, typical for a large-scale RPG.

Image: ensiplay.com

During my playtime, I encountered only minor bugs. Early on, dialogue selection buttons briefly flickered and became unresponsive, easily resolved with a simple restart. Another instance saw a tavern maid briefly teleport, minor visual glitches that didn't detract from the overall experience.

Realism and Difficulty

Image: ensiplay.com

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II avoids excessive realism that could hinder gameplay. The game feels believable, enhancing immersion.

The lack of a difficulty setting might deter players who prefer less challenging experiences. However, it's not a Dark Souls-level difficulty. Players familiar with games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim should manage, provided they avoid overly aggressive engagements.

Image: ensiplay.com

The historical detail is impressive. While I can't verify its complete accuracy, the game doesn't force historical facts; it encourages players to explore them.

Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

Newcomers to the series can easily jump in. The prologue effectively summarizes the events of the first game, ensuring players understand Henry's backstory.

Image: ensiplay.com

This epic opening seamlessly blends tutorials with engaging gameplay. Within the first hour, you'll be fighting, interacting with characters, and fully immersed in medieval Bohemia.

It's too early to definitively judge the overall story and quests, but my initial impressions are highly positive. 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 shows significant improvements over its predecessor in every aspect. It's shaping up to be a fantastic RPG. Whether it maintains this high standard throughout the entire game is something I'll need to discover.