Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Boasts Impressive Performance on Consoles

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: Console and PC Performance Deep Dive

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2) promises impressive performance across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms. Recent tests reveal smooth gameplay with adaptable settings. Let's explore platform-specific performance and customization options.

CryEngine's Photorealistic Prowess

KCD2 leverages CryEngine, known for its performance-oriented, albeit older-school, rendering techniques. While employing fewer shaders and simpler lighting than some competitors, this focus on efficiency allows for photorealistic visuals, particularly through the use of physically based materials. Eurogamer highlights CryEngine's SVOGI (sparse voxel octree global illumination) as a key contributor to realistic indirect lighting effects.

Warhorse Studios' continued use of CryEngine stems from their extensive experience with the engine, facilitating feature enhancement and exploration for the sequel.

Console Performance Modes

PS5 and Xbox Series X offer two modes: a fidelity mode (30fps at 1440p) prioritizing visual fidelity, and a performance mode (60fps at 1080p) emphasizing frame rate. Xbox Series S exclusively supports the fidelity mode. The PS5 Pro boasts a single 60fps mode at 1296p, upscaled to 4K using PSSR. Fidelity mode enhances foliage detail and shadow quality, while the PS5 Pro further refines visuals with sharper imagery and improved ambient occlusion.

PC Scalability and Upscaling

PC players enjoy complete control over upscaling, with options limited to FSR and DLSS. XeSS, sharpening, and frame generation are absent. Despite CryEngine's performance focus, achieving 4K with maximum settings will demand powerful GPUs. However, five quality presets (low, medium, high, ultra, and experimental) ensure broad accessibility.

KCD2 provides a comprehensive system check guide, detailing CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage requirements to prepare players for optimal gameplay.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 launches February 4, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Visit our dedicated KCD2 page for more details.