Kingdom Come: Deliverance II - Initial Reactions

With the recent release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's time to dive into whether Warhorse Studios' second foray into Czech history through video games is worth exploring. Having spent 10 hours in the game, my first impressions are overwhelmingly positive. The urge to launch Kingdom Come: Deliverance II instead of working speaks volumes about its engaging nature. Let's delve deeper into what makes this game stand out.

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Comparison with the First Game

Like its predecessor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is an open-world Action RPG that prides itself on historical accuracy and realism. Whether you choose to play as a valiant knight, a stealthy thief, or opt for diplomatic solutions, the game emphasizes the importance of eating and sleeping to maintain efficiency. Taking on three bandits alone remains a formidable challenge.

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The graphics are the first thing to catch your eye. The landscapes are even more breathtaking than before, yet the game runs smoothly on PCs and consoles, striking a rare balance in modern AAA titles.

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The combat system has undergone subtle yet significant improvements. With one less attack direction, easier switching between enemies, and a more rhythmic parrying system, combat feels more intuitive yet challenging. The game introduces more tactical variety, and enemies exhibit smarter behavior.

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When facing a group of enemies, their advantage is more pronounced than in any other game. They strategically surround you and attack from behind, and if one is seriously injured, he retreats, allowing others to take over the fight.

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In addition to alchemy and dice games, players can now engage in blacksmithing. This engaging craft not only provides income but also yields quality equipment. The forging process remains interesting due to the variety of items to create. Forging a horseshoe proved more challenging for me than crafting swords and axes, thanks to the unique controls.

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Bugs

Many remember the technical issues that plagued the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance at launch. However, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II was released in a much more polished state. So far, 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.

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Realism and Difficulty

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II strikes a balance between realism and gameplay enjoyment. Everything feels believable, enhancing immersion without making the gameplay tedious.

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The game does not offer a difficulty selection, which may deter players who prefer less challenging experiences. However, it's not as unforgiving 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: Deliverance II, provided you avoid obviously challenging situations, like attacking groups of enemies alone.

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The historical aspect is commendable. While not a historian, as an average player, I appreciate that the game encourages interest in historical facts rather than forcing them upon you.

Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

Importantly, even those who haven't played the first game can dive right into Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. The prologue gradually introduces the events of the original, ensuring newcomers understand Henry's backstory.

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The epic opening blends solid tutorials with an engaging pace, allowing you to fight, laugh, and immerse yourself in medieval Bohemia within the first hour.

It's too early to fully judge the story and quests, but what I've seen so far is impressive. Whether this holds true for the full 100 hours remains to be seen.

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These are my first impressions after 10 hours in this medieval life simulator. The improvements across every aspect compared to the first game are evident. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is shaping up to be a fantastic RPG. Will it maintain its strengths throughout the full playthrough? Only time will tell.