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, my initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive. The game's captivating nature has already made me want to prioritize it over work, a testament to its engaging qualities. Let's delve into a detailed analysis.
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Comparison with the First Game:
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II retains the open-world Action RPG structure of its predecessor, emphasizing historical accuracy and realistic mechanics. Players can adopt various roles – knight, thief, or diplomat – and actions like eating and sleeping directly impact performance. Combat remains challenging, particularly against multiple opponents.
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Visually, the game is stunning. Landscapes are breathtakingly detailed, yet the performance is surprisingly optimized for both PCs and consoles. This balance of visual fidelity and performance is a commendable achievement.
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Combat has been refined. The system feels more intuitive, with streamlined enemy switching and a more nuanced parry mechanic. Enemy AI is improved, leading to more tactical depth and challenging encounters. Their strategic maneuvers, such as flanking and retreating when injured, create a more immersive and realistic combat experience.
Image: ensiplay.com
Image: ensiplay.com
Blacksmithing has been added to the existing mini-games (alchemy, dice). This new craft offers both economic and equipment advantages, promising long-term engagement.
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Bugs:
Unlike its predecessor's troubled launch, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II appears relatively polished. I encountered only minor, easily resolved glitches, such as temporary UI issues and minor visual anomalies.
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Realism and Difficulty:
The game's realism enhances immersion without sacrificing gameplay enjoyment. The lack of a difficulty setting might deter some players, but the challenge is manageable for those familiar with other RPGs, provided a strategic approach is adopted.
Image: ensiplay.com
Image: ensiplay.com
The historical detail is impressive, subtly integrated without overwhelming the player.
Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
Newcomers can easily jump in. The prologue effectively bridges the gap between the two games, providing necessary context for Henry's backstory. The opening hour is a masterclass in tutorial integration, seamlessly blending gameplay with narrative.
Image: ensiplay.com
Image: ensiplay.com
While a full judgment of the story and quests requires more playtime, my initial impressions are extremely positive. The improvements over the first game are significant, making this a compelling RPG experience. Whether it maintains this high standard throughout the entire playthrough remains to be seen, but early signs are exceptionally promising.