With the recent release 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 your time.
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Having spent 10 hours immersed in the game, I'm eager to share my initial thoughts. The game has such a strong pull that I find myself tempted to play instead of working, which speaks volumes about its allure. But before I indulge, let's break down what Kingdom Come: Deliverance II offers.
Table of Content
- Comparison with the First Game
- Bugs
- Realism and Difficulty
- Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
Comparison with the First Game
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II retains the essence of its predecessor as an open-world Action RPG that prioritizes historical accuracy and realism. Players can embody a valiant knight, a stealthy thief, or engage in diplomatic resolutions. Essential survival elements like eating and sleeping are back, and tackling multiple bandits alone remains a formidable challenge.
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The visuals are a standout feature, with landscapes that are even more breathtaking than before, yet the game runs smoothly on both PCs and consoles. This balance between stunning graphics and performance is a rare gem in today's AAA gaming landscape.
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Combat has seen subtle yet impactful enhancements. The reduction in attack directions, smoother enemy switching, and the rhythmic nature of parrying make fights more intuitive yet still challenging. The game introduces a greater tactical variety, with enemies showing smarter behavior.
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Group combat feels more intense, as enemies strategically try to surround and attack from behind. Injured foes retreat to recover, adding a layer of realism to the encounters.
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Beyond combat, the game introduces blacksmithing alongside existing mini-games like alchemy and dice. This new craft not only offers a source of income but also a way to acquire quality gear. The variety in items to forge keeps the process engaging, although mastering the unique controls can be tricky.
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Bugs
The original Kingdom Come: Deliverance launched with significant technical issues, but its sequel arrives in a much more polished state. My experience so far has been marred by only minor bugs, such as flickering dialogue buttons that required a restart to fix and a tavern maid's amusing teleportation glitch. These are minor visual hiccups that don't detract from the overall experience.
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Realism and Difficulty
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II strikes a balance in its realism, ensuring gameplay remains engaging without becoming tedious. The immersive world feels authentic, which is vital for player engagement.
The game lacks a difficulty setting, which might deter those who prefer more casual experiences. However, it's not as punishing as Dark Souls. If you've managed to complete The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on any difficulty, you should find Kingdom Come manageable, provided you steer clear of recklessly engaging multiple enemies at once.
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The historical aspect is meticulously crafted. While I'm no historian, the game's approach to presenting history is appealing; it encourages curiosity rather than forcing facts upon the player.
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Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
Even if you haven't played the first game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II welcomes newcomers with open arms. The prologue smoothly introduces the backstory of protagonist Henry, ensuring everyone is up to speed.
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The epic opening not only sets the stage but also integrates solid tutorials with a compelling pace. Within the first hour, you'll find yourself fighting, laughing, and deeply immersed in medieval Bohemia.
While it's premature to fully evaluate the story and quests, the initial impressions are promising. The game promises a 100-hour journey, and the quality seen so far suggests it will be a memorable one.
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After 10 hours, my initial impressions of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II are overwhelmingly positive. The improvements across the board elevate it above its predecessor, shaping up to be a remarkable RPG. Whether it can sustain this excellence throughout the entire experience remains to be seen. It's time to dive in and find out.
