Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: A First Look After 10 Hours
With Kingdom Come: Deliverance II's recent release, gamers are eager to know if Warhorse Studios' second foray into medieval Czech history delivers. After 10 hours of gameplay, my initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive. The game's compelling nature has already made me prioritize it over work – a testament to its immersive quality. Let's delve into the details.
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Comparison with the First Game:
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II retains the open-world action RPG formula of its predecessor, emphasizing historical accuracy and realistic mechanics. Players can choose their path – valiant knight, stealthy rogue, or diplomat. Resource management (eating, sleeping) remains crucial, and direct combat against multiple opponents is a significant challenge.
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Visually stunning landscapes surpass the original, yet the game runs smoothly on both PC and consoles – a rare feat in modern AAA titles. Combat has been refined with a more intuitive system, featuring fewer attack directions and smoother enemy switching. Parrying is now more of a calculated dance than a guaranteed win. Enemies display enhanced AI, adding tactical depth. Their coordinated attacks and strategic retreats create a more challenging and believable combat experience.
Image: ensiplay.com
Image: ensiplay.com
Image: ensiplay.com
Blacksmithing joins alchemy and other minigames, adding another layer of engaging gameplay and resource acquisition. The crafting system, while initially challenging (forging horseshoes proved trickier than swords!), promises lasting appeal due to the variety of forgeable items.
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Bugs:
Unlike its predecessor's troubled launch, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II boasts a surprisingly polished state. Minor graphical glitches (flickering dialogue options, a teleporting tavern maid) were encountered, but easily resolved with a simple restart. These minor issues haven't detracted from the overall experience.
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Realism and Difficulty:
The game's realism enhances immersion without sacrificing enjoyable gameplay. The lack of a difficulty setting might deter some, but the challenge is manageable for players familiar with RPGs like The Witcher 3 or Skyrim, provided a tactical approach is adopted.
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The historical detail is impressive, subtly woven into the gameplay, encouraging player curiosity rather than overwhelming them with facts.
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Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
Newcomers are welcome. The prologue effectively bridges the gap for those unfamiliar with the first game, smoothly integrating Henry's backstory. The opening hour seamlessly blends tutorials with engaging gameplay, immediately immersing the player in medieval Bohemia.
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While the long-term story and quest quality remain to be fully assessed, early impressions are highly promising.
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Conclusion:
After 10 hours, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II shows significant improvements over its predecessor. The enhanced visuals, refined combat, and engaging mechanics point to a fantastic RPG. Whether it maintains this high standard throughout the full playthrough remains to be seen, but early indications are exceptionally positive.