In straightforward terms, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, developed by Warhorse Studios, lives up to its name as it represents a sequel that builds upon the original while retaining the same immersive Medieval role-playing experience that dedicated gamers enthusiastically embraced in 2018.
If you’re intrigued by the second installment of Kingdom Come Deliverance but haven’t played the first game yet, it would be wise to jump right in before the release of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, as they share a similar gameplay experience. You might even find it at a budget price!
For 153 hours and 46 minutes, I delved deeply into the original version of the game that served as my escape during lockdown. The intricate, system-driven gameplay, steeped in mechanics, realism, and historical authenticity, captivated me completely. The compelling story, memorable characters, and endearing protagonist Henry from Skallitz drew me in, offering an immersive experience I found hard to leave behind.
During my vacation in the Czech Republic, I eagerly attended a sneak peek event at GDS Prague for Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, where I played a demo, designed my own coin, collected a souvenir lanyard, and acquired a special-edition Henry beer, which I’ll save to drink while writing my review.
If I had been evaluating the initial game at that moment, it would undoubtedly earn a 5-star rating from me. However, since this is a preview, I’m limited to discussing the game only up to a specific level or stage.
Based on the 33 hours I’ve experienced thus far, it appears that Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 not only retains but amplifies the charm that made its predecessor exceptional, and in some ways, surpasses it.
As a gamer, I find that this new version feels incredibly similar to the original, yet it’s been finessed and refined significantly. There are far fewer glitches and rough edges, making the experience smoother overall. However, given its expansive scale, there are still moments that border on the absurdly amusing.
In the initial game version, attacking options with weapons were spread across six different directions. However, in more recent updates, this has been simplified to just four directions. This change doesn’t diminish the experience but rather enhances it by providing a clearer path for mastering the intricate combo system without overwhelming you. Additionally, the likelihood of accidentally holding your weapon on an incorrect side is significantly decreased.
In addition, a fresh environment is introduced where the initial phase of the game unfolds within the picturesque Trosky district. This locale shares some resemblance with the map from the original game, yet it boasts a more tranquil ambiance due to its rural nature. It serves as an engaging entry point for both veterans and novices alike.
Caution: Mild Spoiler Alert! The game commences by placing you in charge of Father Godwin amidst a siege at Suchdol Castle. This initial segment offers a tactile exploration of the combat mechanics, including the innovative crossbow feature, and serves as a prologue to the main events that follow.
Later, we take a step back in time to about three weeks prior, where Henry and Hans Capon are en route to Trosky castle, carrying a message that ultimately leads to unfortunate events.
As a gamer, I’ve taken a heavy hit, leaving me severely wounded, halting my progress and lowering my stats in a manner that feels more like a genuine challenge rather than an unfair setback. Now, I’m off to explore the vast Trosky wilderness, ready for whatever adventures lie ahead!
Although it’s quite remote and rural, it’s surprisingly teeming with fantastic sub-adventures that have captured my interest so far. I’ve assisted in solving mysteries, broken into various structures, conversed with an unruly sheep, tasted vile minerals from a tomb, and spent hours searching for my missing canine companion across the landscape.
A surprising delight for me was assisting the local cart-man, who also functions as the gravedigger, in collecting deceased wildlife from various parts of the landscape. This task is unique to the gaming experience I’ve had so far.
Exploring the breathtaking gaps within the Apollonian sandstone formations to chase bandits remains thrilling, and so does racing swiftly across them during the darkest hours, as often, your peril is self-inflicted. Although it can be brutally challenging – particularly for novices – it maintains a sense of fairness throughout. Life in the Middle Ages was indeed tough, as you might imagine.
Similar to its previous version, it offers multiple strategies for addressing challenges, ranging from diplomacy, deceit, coercion, or combat. In essence, Kingdom Come: Deliverance shares elements of Deus Ex, Baldur’s Gate 3, and the Stalker series, but set in a meticulously crafted medieval world. It is classified as an immersive sim, allowing for a high degree of player freedom. The game doesn’t always dictate your actions, but if you choose to explore, you can discover various approaches to completing quests.
Just like in the initial game, this game’s fluidity permeates throughout its entirety. Whether you quickly teleport using the fast-travel feature or leisurely traverse the roads, you might stumble upon a variety of situations, including unexpected encounters with bandits.
Frequently, I find myself in trouble, but eventually someone passing by or a group traveling would stumble upon us and join the conflict. Will you continue fighting until we defeat the bandits, or abandon those who have come to help you so you can plunder them as well? The decision is yours.
Regardless of the stage in the game, the consequences of your approach towards quests often rebound on you. For instance, an action today could lead to someone owing you a favor down the line, which might prove beneficial when another character requires assistance. Conversely, your actions now may also lead to awkward explanations later if they have unintended consequences.
In the revised version, the text becomes: The concepts of crime and punishment are given more depth, along with the perception of NPCs towards your mischievous activities. Should you enter someone’s house, be asked to leave, and discover later that their money has vanished, suspicion will likely fall upon you.
Regardless of whether you’re preoccupied with your own affairs, if an NPC overhears something from behind them, they may jump and look around. If you have a positive reputation in a particular place, they will likely feel reassured. However, if people generally dislike you, don’t expect a friendly welcome.
The core of this operation is a tailored adaptation of Crytek’s CryEngine. In 2018, the initial release showcased graphics that were extremely demanding on hardware and quite visionary. This investment in advanced visuals has largely proven beneficial for developers Warhorse Studios, as Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 doesn’t represent a colossal improvement over its predecessor, but it still boasts an incredible appearance.
Working from a solid foundation, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the frequent application of asset reuse, undeniably contributing to reduced development costs and enabling the creation of additional engaging gameplay situations. However, the animations outside of the main storyline are less impressive. Considering the grand scale of the game, it’s understandable that forgiveness is easy to extend, as custom animations for each scene would be extremely expensive.
The entire setup has created a remarkably engaging first act on its own. Even if the game ended at this point, I would enthusiastically suggest it. There’s simply no other experience quite as unique as this one.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 launches 4th February for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
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2025-01-17 22:04