Kingdom Come: Deliverance II - Initial Reactions

With the recent launch of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's time to delve into whether Warhorse Studios' second venture into portraying Czech history through video games is worth exploring. After spending 10 hours in the game, I'm eager to share my initial impressions. The game's allure is so strong that I find myself tempted to play instead of working, a testament to its captivating nature. Let's break down the key aspects of this sequel.

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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 focuses on historical accuracy and realism. Whether you choose to play as a brave knight, a cunning thief, or opt for diplomatic solutions, the game retains the core mechanics of its original, where eating and sleeping are vital for maintaining your character's efficiency, and taking on multiple bandits solo is a daunting challenge.

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The first noticeable improvement is the graphics. The landscapes are even more breathtaking than before, and the game runs smoothly on both PCs and consoles, achieving a rare balance in modern AAA gaming. The combat system has been refined with minor yet significant changes: one less attack direction, smoother enemy switching, and a more rhythmic parrying system. These changes make combat more intuitive without diminishing its challenge. The game also introduces more tactical variety, with enemies displaying smarter behaviors.

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When facing multiple foes, their advantage is palpable. They attempt to flank and attack from behind, and if one is severely injured, they retreat, allowing others to continue the fight.

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In addition to returning mini-games like alchemy and dice, the sequel introduces blacksmithing. This engaging craft not only provides income but also allows for the creation of high-quality equipment. With a variety of items to forge, the process remains fresh and interesting. The unique controls made forging a horseshoe more challenging for me than crafting swords and axes.

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Bugs

The original Kingdom Come: Deliverance was marred by numerous technical issues at launch. In contrast, Deliverance II has been released in a much more polished state. My experience so far has only included minor bugs. Early on, the dialogue options flickered and became unresponsive, but a simple restart resolved the issue. Another time, a tavern maid bizarrely climbed onto a table before teleporting back to the floor. These are minor visual glitches that do not detract from the overall experience.

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Realism and Difficulty

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II strikes a balance with its realism, enhancing immersion without making the gameplay tedious. There is no difficulty setting, which might be a barrier for some, but the game is 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 navigate Kingdom Come: Deliverance II successfully, as long as you avoid recklessly engaging groups of enemies alone.

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The historical accuracy of the game is commendable. While I'm not a historian, the game does not force-feed historical facts but rather encourages players to engage with them, enhancing the educational aspect of the experience.

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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, providing context for Henry's backstory. The epic opening seamlessly blends tutorials with engaging pacing, allowing you to dive into combat, enjoy some laughs, and immerse yourself in medieval Bohemia within the first hour.

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It's too early to fully judge the story and quests, but what I've seen so far is impressive. Whether this quality will sustain over the estimated 100-hour playthrough remains to be seen.

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These are my initial impressions after spending 10 hours in this medieval life simulator. The improvements across the board from the first game are evident, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is shaping up to be an exceptional RPG. The real question is whether it can maintain these strengths throughout the entire playthrough. Time will tell.