With the release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's crucial to evaluate whether Warhorse Studios' latest venture into the rich tapestry of Czech history through video games is worth your time. After spending 10 hours immersed in this sequel, I find myself eager to return to the game instead of focusing on work—a testament to its engaging nature. Let's delve into the details to see if Kingdom Come: Deliverance II lives up to expectations.
Image: ensiplay.com
Comparison with the First Game
Much like its predecessor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is an open-world Action RPG that prioritizes historical accuracy and realism. Players can choose to be a valiant knight, a stealthy thief, or engage in diplomatic resolutions. Essential mechanics like eating and sleeping remain crucial for maintaining your character's efficiency, while facing three bandits alone remains a formidable challenge.
Image: ensiplay.com
One of the first noticeable upgrades is in the graphics department. The landscapes are more breathtaking than ever, yet the game runs smoothly on both PCs and consoles, a rare feat for modern AAA titles.
Image: ensiplay.com
The combat system has undergone subtle yet significant enhancements. With one fewer attack direction, smoother transitions between enemies, and a more rhythmic parrying mechanic, combat feels more intuitive yet retains its challenging nature. Enemies display increased tactical intelligence, making group encounters more demanding and rewarding.
Image: ensiplay.com
In battles against multiple foes, their strategic advantage is palpable. They attempt to flank and attack from behind, with injured enemies retreating to allow others to continue the fight.
Image: ensiplay.com
Beyond the core gameplay, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II introduces blacksmithing alongside existing mini-games like alchemy and dice. This new craft not only provides income but also the means to acquire quality equipment. The variety in forging different items keeps the process engaging, though I found forging a horseshoe more challenging than crafting swords and axes due to the unique controls.
Image: ensiplay.com
Bugs
Recalling the initial technical issues of the first game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II launches in a much more polished state. My experience so far has been marred by only minor bugs. Early on, dialogue options flickered and became unresponsive, but a restart resolved this. Another time, a tavern maid oddly climbed onto a table before teleporting back to the floor. These are minor visual glitches that don't significantly detract from the experience.
Image: ensiplay.com
Realism and Difficulty
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II strikes a balance between realism and engaging gameplay. The game's immersion is bolstered by its believable mechanics without becoming tedious.
Image: ensiplay.com
There's no difficulty selection, which may deter those who prefer less challenging games. However, it's not as punishing as Dark Souls. If you've mastered The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim at any difficulty level, you'll likely handle this game well, provided you steer clear of head-on confrontations with groups of enemies.
Image: ensiplay.com
The historical context is meticulously crafted. While I'm no historian, the game encourages an interest in history rather than forcing facts upon the player.
Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
Even newcomers to the series can dive into Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. The prologue adeptly introduces the events of the first game, ensuring everyone understands Henry's backstory.
Image: ensiplay.com
The game's opening is a masterclass in setting the stage, seamlessly blending tutorials with an engaging narrative pace. Within the first hour, you'll find yourself fighting, laughing, and fully immersed in medieval Bohemia.
While it's premature to fully assess the story and quests, the initial impressions are promising. Whether this quality persists over the game's full 100-hour duration remains to be seen.
Image: ensiplay.com
These are my initial thoughts after spending 10 hours in this medieval life simulator. The improvements across the board from the first game are evident, setting the stage for what could be an exceptional RPG. The real test will be whether it can maintain these strengths throughout the entire playthrough. Time will tell.