Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: First Impressions

With the recent release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's time to assess whether Warhorse Studios' second foray into Czech historical video games is worth your time. After 10 hours immersed in the game, I'm compelled to say it's incredibly engaging – so much so, it's distracting me from work! But before I get completely lost in medieval Bohemia, let's delve into my initial impressions.

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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 prioritizing historical accuracy and realistic mechanics. You can choose your path: valiant knight, stealthy thief, or diplomatic peacemaker. Essential survival elements like eating and sleeping impact your effectiveness, and facing three bandits alone is a significant challenge.

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The graphics are immediately striking – even more stunning landscapes than before, yet without the performance issues that plagued some players in the first game. This balance of visuals and performance is a rare feat in modern AAA titles.

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Combat has received subtle but significant improvements. The streamlined attack system, easier enemy switching, and more rhythmic parrying make combat more intuitive, though not necessarily easier. Enemies exhibit increased intelligence, adding tactical depth. Facing multiple opponents feels more challenging and realistic than in many other games; they actively try to flank and exploit weaknesses. An injured enemy will strategically retreat, allowing his allies to continue the fight.

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Beyond alchemy and dice games, blacksmithing has been added. This engaging craft offers both income and access to high-quality equipment, promising lasting appeal. While I found forging horseshoes surprisingly challenging compared to swords and axes (due to the unique controls), the overall experience is rewarding.

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Bugs

While the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance faced criticism for technical issues, the sequel appears significantly more polished. In my 10 hours of gameplay, I encountered only minor bugs: some flickering dialogue options (easily fixed with a restart) and a tavern maid briefly teleporting. These are minor visual glitches, not game-breaking.

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Realism and Difficulty

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II skillfully balances realism with engaging gameplay. The experience feels authentic without becoming tedious.

The lack of a difficulty setting might deter some players, but it's not a Dark Souls-level challenge. Players familiar with titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim should manage, provided they avoid overtly difficult encounters (like charging headfirst into a group of enemies).

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The historical detail is impressive. While I can't verify its complete accuracy, the game effectively integrates historical elements without feeling overly didactic.

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Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

Newcomers can easily jump into Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. The prologue effectively summarizes the first game's events, ensuring players understand Henry's backstory. This excellent opening seamlessly blends tutorials with engaging gameplay, immediately immersing you in medieval Bohemia.

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While it's too early for a comprehensive judgment on the story and quests, my initial impressions are positive. The game's strengths are already evident.

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After 10 hours, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II shows significant improvements over its predecessor. It's shaping up to be a fantastic RPG. Whether it maintains this quality throughout the full playthrough remains to be seen, but my early experience is exceptionally promising.