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 venture into Czech history through video games is worth exploring. After spending 10 hours in the game, my initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive. The urge to launch Kingdom Come instead of working speaks volumes about its engaging nature. Let's break down the key aspects of the game.

Image: ensiplay.com

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 that prioritizes historical accuracy and realism. Players can embody a valiant knight, a stealthy thief, or opt for diplomatic solutions. Essential mechanics like eating and sleeping remain crucial for maintaining efficiency, and tackling three bandits alone remains a formidable challenge.

Image: ensiplay.com

The graphics are a standout feature, with landscapes even more breathtaking than before, yet the game runs smoothly on both PCs and consoles. This balance is a rare gem in modern AAA titles. The combat system has been refined with minor but impactful changes, including one less attack direction, smoother enemy switching, and a more rhythmic parrying system. These adjustments make combat more intuitive without reducing its difficulty, introducing greater tactical variety and smarter enemy AI.

Image: ensiplay.com

When facing groups of enemies, their strategic advantage is palpable. They attempt to surround you and attack from behind, and injured foes retreat to let others take the lead. Beyond combat, the game expands on mini-games like alchemy and dice, introducing blacksmithing. This new craft not only provides income but also access to quality equipment. The unique controls make forging a horseshoe more challenging than crafting swords and axes, adding depth to the gameplay.

Image: ensiplay.com

Bugs

The first Kingdom Come: Deliverance was notorious for its technical issues at launch. However, Deliverance II has been released in a much more polished state. In my 10 hours of playtime, I've encountered only minor bugs. Early on, dialogue selection buttons flickered and became unresponsive, but a simple restart resolved the issue. Another time, a tavern maid climbed onto a table and then teleported back to the floor. These are minor visual glitches that don't detract from the overall experience.

Image: ensiplay.com

Realism and Difficulty

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II strikes a balance between realism and gameplay enjoyment. The game feels believable, enhancing immersion without making the experience tedious. There's no difficulty selection, which might deter some players, but 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 be able to handle Kingdom Come—just avoid recklessly engaging groups of enemies alone.

Image: ensiplay.com

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 without force-feeding facts.

Image: ensiplay.com

Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

Even if you haven't played the first game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is accessible. The prologue effectively introduces the events of the original, ensuring newcomers understand Henry's backstory. The epic opening seamlessly blends tutorials with an engaging pace, allowing players to fight, laugh, and immerse themselves in medieval Bohemia within the first hour.

Image: ensiplay.com

While it's too early to fully assess the story and quests, what I've experienced so far is impressive. Whether this quality persists throughout the estimated 100 hours of gameplay remains to be seen.

Image: ensiplay.com

These are my initial impressions after 10 hours in this medieval life simulator. The improvements across the board compared to the first game are evident, and it's shaping up to be a fantastic RPG. The real test will be whether it maintains these strengths throughout the full playthrough. Time will tell.