Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: First Impressions

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: A First Impression After 10 Hours

With Kingdom Come: Deliverance II recently launched, it's time to assess Warhorse Studios' second foray into interactive Czech history. After 10 hours of gameplay, I'm compelled to share my initial thoughts. The game's captivating nature is evident; I find myself wanting to play instead of working! But let's delve into the specifics.

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Comparison with the First Game

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II maintains the open-world Action RPG formula of its predecessor, prioritizing historical accuracy and realistic mechanics. Players can adopt various roles – knight, thief, or diplomat – and actions like eating and sleeping directly impact performance. Direct combat against multiple opponents remains challenging.

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Visually stunning, the game boasts improved landscapes without the performance hit of its predecessor. This balance between visuals and optimization is a rare feat in modern AAA titles.

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Combat is refined, with a streamlined attack system, easier enemy switching, and a more nuanced parry mechanic. While more intuitive, it's not easier; encounters demand tactical thinking and opponents exhibit improved AI. The sense of enemy advantage in group fights is particularly well-executed, with flanking maneuvers and strategic retreats.

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Blacksmithing joins alchemy and other mini-games, offering both income and access to high-quality equipment. The variety of forgeable items suggests lasting appeal, although the unique controls presented an unexpected challenge (horseshoes proved trickier than swords!).

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Bugs

Unlike its predecessor's troubled launch, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II appears relatively polished. Minor bugs encountered included temporary UI glitches (easily resolved with a restart) and a minor visual anomaly involving an NPC. Overall, these were insignificant and didn't detract from the experience.

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Realism and Difficulty

The game's realism enhances immersion without hindering gameplay. The absence of a difficulty setting might deter some, but it's not excessively punishing. Players familiar with titles like The Witcher 3 or Skyrim should manage, provided they approach combat strategically.

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The historical setting is impressive, subtly encouraging player interest rather than overwhelming them with facts.

Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

Newcomers can readily jump in; the prologue effectively bridges the gap with the first game, providing context for Henry's backstory. The opening hour masterfully blends tutorials with engaging gameplay, immediately immersing the player in medieval Bohemia.

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While long-term assessment of the story and quests awaits further gameplay, initial impressions are highly positive. The improvements over the first game are substantial. Whether this quality endures throughout the full experience remains to be seen, but the early signs are exceptionally promising.