Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: First Impressions

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: A First Look After 10 Hours

With Kingdom Come: Deliverance II now available, it's time to assess whether Warhorse Studios' second foray into interactive Czech history is worth your time. After 10 hours of gameplay, I'm compelled to say it's incredibly promising.

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This review offers initial impressions, highlighting key aspects: a comparison to the original, bug reports, realism and difficulty, and a final verdict on whether you should play.

Comparison to the First Game:

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II retains the open-world action RPG formula of its predecessor, prioritizing historical accuracy and realistic mechanics. Players can choose their playstyle – knight, thief, or diplomat – and actions like eating and sleeping directly impact effectiveness. Combat remains challenging, especially against multiple opponents.

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Visually, the game boasts stunning landscapes, a significant improvement over the original, without the performance issues that plagued the first game. Combat is refined, with a streamlined attack system, easier enemy switching, and a more tactical, less predictable parry system. Enemy AI is improved, making battles more strategic and engaging.

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Group combat is particularly noteworthy. Enemies actively attempt to flank and exploit vulnerabilities, creating a truly challenging experience. The addition of blacksmithing as a new craft adds depth and provides both economic and equipment advantages.

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Bugs:

While the original game had significant launch issues, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II appears much more polished. Minor bugs were encountered, such as temporary UI glitches and a minor animation error, but nothing game-breaking.

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Realism and Difficulty:

The game's realism enhances immersion without hindering gameplay. The lack of a difficulty setting may deter some players, but it's not excessively punishing. Players familiar with titles like The Witcher 3 or Skyrim should find it manageable with strategic approaches.

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The historical setting is well-executed, subtly integrating historical information without being overly didactic.

Should You Play?

Newcomers can easily jump in. The prologue effectively bridges the gap with the first game, providing necessary context for Henry's story. The opening hours are engaging, seamlessly blending tutorials with compelling gameplay.

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While long-term judgment requires more playtime, initial impressions are extremely positive. The game shows significant improvements over its predecessor across the board. Whether it maintains this quality throughout the full experience remains to be seen.