Kingdom Come: Deliverance II - Initial Thoughts

With the recent release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's time to figure out whether Warhorse Studios' second attempt at presenting Czech history through video games is worth diving into. After spending 10 hours in the game, I'm eager to share my first impressions. The urge to launch Kingdom Come instead of working speaks volumes about its allure. Let's dive deeper into what makes this game tick.

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Comparison with the First Game

Like its predecessor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is an open-world Action RPG that emphasizes historical accuracy and realism in its mechanics. You can embody a valiant knight, a stealthy thief, or engage in diplomatic resolutions. Essential activities like eating and sleeping are crucial for maintaining your character's efficiency, and tackling three bandits alone remains an extremely challenging endeavor.

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The first thing that catches the eye is the improved graphics. The landscapes are even more breathtaking than before, yet the game runs smoothly on PCs and consoles, striking a rare balance for modern AAA titles.

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The combat system has received minor but significant upgrades. With one less attack direction, easier enemy switching, and a more rhythmic parrying mechanic, combat feels more intuitive yet retains its challenging nature. The game introduces greater tactical variety, and enemies exhibit more intelligent behavior.

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When facing a group of enemies, their strategic advantage is palpable. They work together to surround you and attack from behind, and if one is seriously injured, they retreat, allowing others to continue the fight.

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Beyond the familiar alchemy and dice mini-games, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II introduces blacksmithing. This engaging craft not only provides income but also access to quality equipment. The diverse range of items to forge ensures the activity remains interesting, though mastering the unique controls can be challenging; forging a horseshoe proved more difficult than crafting swords and axes.

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Bugs

Many remember the first Kingdom Come: Deliverance's rocky technical launch. In contrast, the sequel launched in a more polished state, typical for a large-scale RPG.

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So far, I've encountered only a few minor bugs. Early on, dialogue selection buttons flickered and became unresponsive, but a simple restart resolved the issue. In another instance, a tavern maid climbed onto a table before teleporting back to the floor. These are minor visual glitches—imperfect, yet not frustrating.

Realism and Difficulty

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II strikes a balance with its realism, avoiding excessive detail that might make the gameplay tedious. The believable mechanics enhance immersion.

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There's no difficulty selection, which might deter players who prefer less challenging games. However, it's not as punishing as Dark Souls. If you've completed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on any difficulty, you should manage well in Kingdom Come, as long as you avoid recklessly engaging large 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 is engaging and encourages players to explore further rather than force-feeding facts.

Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

Importantly, even those new to the series can jump straight into Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. The prologue effectively recaps the events of the first game, ensuring newcomers grasp Henry's backstory.

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The epic opening blends solid tutorials with an engaging pace, allowing you to fight, laugh, and immerse yourself in medieval Bohemia within the first hour.

It's too early to fully judge the story and quests. What I've seen so far is impressive, but whether this holds true for the full 100 hours remains to be seen.

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These are my first impressions after 10 hours in this medieval life simulator. The improvements across all aspects compared to the first game are evident. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is shaping up to be a fantastic RPG. Will it maintain its strengths throughout the full playthrough? Only time will tell.