Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: First Impressions

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

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After 10 hours of gameplay, my initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive. The game's captivating nature has me itching to play more, even at the expense of my to-do list! But before I succumb entirely, let's break down my experience.

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 prioritizing historical accuracy and realistic mechanics. You can choose to play as a valiant knight, a cunning thief, or a diplomat, navigating conflicts through various means. The importance of eating, sleeping, and strategic combat is emphasized; facing three bandits alone is no easy feat.

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Visually stunning, the game boasts significantly improved landscapes compared to its predecessor, without sacrificing performance. This balance between visuals and optimization is a welcome rarity in modern AAA titles.

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Combat has received subtle yet impactful refinements. The streamlined attack system, improved enemy switching, and more rhythmic parry mechanics make combat more intuitive without sacrificing its challenge. Enemies exhibit increased intelligence and tactical variety, creating more engaging encounters.

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Group combat feels significantly more challenging and realistic. Enemies actively try to surround and outmaneuver you, and injured foes strategically retreat to their allies, creating intense and dynamic fights.

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Beyond alchemy and dice games, blacksmithing adds a new layer of depth. Creating various items offers both economic benefits and access to high-quality equipment, promising long-term engagement. While the unique controls initially presented a challenge (forging horseshoes proved surprisingly difficult!), the craft is undeniably engaging.

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Bugs

While the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance faced criticism for its technical state, the sequel launches in a noticeably more polished form.

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During my playtime, I encountered only minor, infrequent bugs. A temporary dialogue issue resolved itself with a simple restart, and a minor visual glitch involving a tavern maid was inconsequential. Overall, the game's stability is impressive.

Realism and Difficulty

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Kingdom Come: Deliverance II achieves a believable level of realism without compromising gameplay. The immersive experience is enhanced by the game's commitment to historical accuracy.

The lack of a difficulty setting might deter some players, but it’s not a Dark Souls-level challenge. Players familiar with titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim should manage well, provided they approach combat strategically.

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The historical detail is commendable. While I can't verify its accuracy definitively, the game's approach—encouraging player interest rather than forcing historical facts—is a refreshing take.

Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

Newcomers to the series need not worry; the game seamlessly integrates newcomers. The prologue effectively recaps the first game's events, ensuring players understand Henry's backstory before diving into the sequel.

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This engaging introduction cleverly blends tutorials with a captivating narrative, quickly immersing players in medieval Bohemia. Within the first hour, you'll experience combat, humor, and the rich atmosphere of the setting.

While it's early to definitively judge the overall story and quests, my initial experience has been highly promising. Whether this quality persists throughout the full 100 hours remains to be seen.

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After 10 hours, my first impressions are overwhelmingly positive. The improvements across the board compared to the first game are substantial, making it a compelling RPG experience. Whether it maintains this high standard throughout a full playthrough remains to be discovered.