Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: A First Look After 10 Hours
With Kingdom Come: Deliverance II now available, let's delve into whether Warhorse Studios' second foray into medieval Bohemia is worth your time. After 10 hours of gameplay, I'm already hooked. Before I completely lose myself in the game, however, let's analyze my initial impressions.
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Comparison with 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 path – valiant knight, stealthy rogue, or diplomat – with survival elements like eating and sleeping impacting effectiveness. Combat remains challenging, particularly against multiple opponents.
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Visually, the game is stunning. Landscapes are breathtakingly detailed, yet performance is surprisingly optimized, a welcome change from the first game's demanding requirements.
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Combat is refined, with a streamlined attack system, improved enemy switching, and a more nuanced parry mechanic. While more intuitive, it's not easier; enemies display increased intelligence and tactical awareness, making group encounters significantly more challenging.
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Enemy AI is notably improved. Opponents actively try to flank and outmaneuver the player, with injured enemies strategically retreating to receive support.
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Beyond alchemy and dice games, blacksmithing is introduced as a new skill, offering both income and access to high-quality equipment. The crafting system appears deep and engaging.
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Bugs
While the original game suffered from technical issues, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II launches in a much more polished state. I encountered only minor glitches – a temporary dialogue bug and a minor animation error – both easily resolved with a quick restart.
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Realism and Difficulty
The game's realism enhances immersion without sacrificing gameplay. The lack of a difficulty setting might deter some, but it's not excessively punishing. Players familiar with titles like The Witcher 3 or Skyrim should manage, provided they approach combat strategically.
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The historical setting is impressive. While I can't verify historical accuracy, the game subtly integrates historical details, stimulating player interest rather than overwhelming them with facts.
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Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
Newcomers can easily jump in. The prologue effectively summarizes the first game's events, ensuring players understand Henry's backstory. The opening hour seamlessly blends tutorials with engaging gameplay.
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While the full scope of the story and quests remains to be seen, my initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive.
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Conclusion
After 10 hours, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II shows significant improvement 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 the early signs are extremely promising.
