Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: A First Look After 10 Hours
With Kingdom Come: Deliverance II now available, it's time to assess Warhorse Studios' latest foray into historical Czech video games. After 10 hours of gameplay, I'm compelled to share my initial impressions. The game's captivating nature is immediately evident – I find myself wanting to play it instead of working! Let's delve into a closer examination.
Image: ensiplay.com
Comparison with the First Game
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, like its predecessor, is an open-world action RPG prioritizing historical accuracy and realistic mechanics. Players can adopt various roles – knight, thief, or diplomat – with survival mechanics like eating and sleeping impacting performance. Direct combat against multiple opponents remains a significant challenge.
Image: ensiplay.com
Visually, the game is stunning. Landscapes are breathtakingly detailed, yet the performance optimization is impressive, avoiding the performance issues of its predecessor. This balance is a welcome change in modern AAA titles.
Image: ensiplay.com
Combat has received subtle but significant improvements. The streamlined attack system, smoother enemy switching, and more nuanced parrying create a more intuitive, yet challenging, experience. Enemy AI is enhanced, leading to more strategic encounters. Their tactical awareness is striking; they actively try to flank and exploit weaknesses. Injured enemies intelligently retreat to safety, allowing their allies to continue the fight.
Image: ensiplay.com
Image: ensiplay.com
Blacksmithing joins alchemy and other mini-games, adding another layer of depth and resource management. Creating items proves engaging, though the unique controls presented an unexpected challenge even for experienced players (forging horseshoes proved trickier than swords!).
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Bugs
While the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance had notable launch issues, the sequel appears significantly more polished. Minor bugs were encountered (flickering dialogue options, a teleporting tavern maid), but these were easily resolved and didn't significantly impact gameplay.
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Realism and Difficulty
The game’s realism enhances immersion without hindering gameplay. The lack 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.
Image: ensiplay.com
Image: ensiplay.com
The historical detail is impressive, subtly woven into the experience rather than overtly presented.
Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
Newcomers can easily jump in. The prologue effectively bridges the gap with the first game, providing essential backstory for Henry. The opening hour seamlessly blends tutorials with engaging gameplay, immediately immersing players in medieval Bohemia.
Image: ensiplay.com
Image: ensiplay.com
While a full judgment on story and quests requires more playtime, initial impressions are highly positive. The improvements over the first game are substantial. Whether this quality endures throughout the full 100 hours remains to be seen, but early signs are exceptionally promising. This is a compelling medieval life simulator, and a strong contender for RPG of the year.
