Kingdom Come 2: Early Gameplay Impressions

With the recent release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's time to delve into whether Warhorse Studios' second foray into Czech historical video games is worth your time.

Image: ensiplay.com

After 10 hours of gameplay, my initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive. The game's pull is so strong, it's almost distracting me from work! But before I succumb entirely, let's analyze what makes Kingdom Come: Deliverance II tick.

Table of Contents

• Comparison with the First Game
• Bugs
• Realism and Difficulty
• Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

Comparison with the First Game

Like its predecessor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is an open-world action RPG emphasizing historical accuracy and realistic mechanics. You can play as a valiant knight, a stealthy rogue, or a diplomatic peacemaker. Basic needs like eating and sleeping directly impact your efficiency, and taking on multiple bandits solo is a significant challenge.

Image: ensiplay.com

Visually, the game is stunning. The landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful, a significant upgrade from the first game, yet the performance is remarkably optimized for both PCs and consoles—a rare feat in modern AAA titles.

Image: ensiplay.com

Combat has received subtle yet impactful improvements. The streamlined attack system, easier enemy switching, and more rhythmic parry mechanics make combat more intuitive without sacrificing difficulty. Enemy AI is more sophisticated, leading to more tactical depth and challenging encounters.

Image: ensiplay.com

Group combat feels particularly intense. Enemies actively try to flank and surround you, and injured foes strategically retreat to allow their allies to continue the fight. This creates a genuinely challenging and immersive combat experience.

Image: ensiplay.com

Beyond alchemy and dice games, blacksmithing has been added as a new craft, offering both income and access to high-quality equipment. The variety of forgeable items ensures this activity remains engaging, although the unique controls present a steeper learning curve—forging horseshoes proved unexpectedly challenging!

Image: ensiplay.com

Bugs

While the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance had a notoriously rough launch, the sequel boasts a significantly more polished state.

Image: ensiplay.com

In my 10 hours of play, I encountered only minor, easily resolved issues. A temporary dialogue bug was fixed with a simple restart, and a minor visual glitch involving a tavern maid was inconsequential.

Realism and Difficulty

Image: ensiplay.com

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II avoids excessive realism that might hinder gameplay. The game feels believable, enhancing immersion without sacrificing enjoyment.

The lack of a difficulty setting might deter players who prefer less challenging experiences. However, it's not a Dark Souls-level of difficulty. Players familiar with titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim should manage, provided they approach combat strategically.

Image: ensiplay.com

The historical detail is impressive. While I lack the expertise to fully verify its accuracy, the game’s approach of subtly weaving historical elements into the gameplay is commendable and engaging.

Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

Newcomers to the series needn't worry; the game seamlessly integrates newcomers. The prologue cleverly summarizes the first game's events, ensuring players understand Henry’s backstory.

Image: ensiplay.com

This engaging prologue effectively blends tutorials with exciting gameplay. Within the first hour, you'll be fighting, exploring, and fully immersed in medieval Bohemia.

While it's early to definitively judge the overall story and quests, my initial experience has been exceptionally positive. Whether this quality persists throughout the full 100+ hours remains to be seen.

Image: ensiplay.com

In conclusion, after 10 hours with Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, I'm thoroughly impressed by the improvements over its predecessor. It's shaping up to be a fantastic RPG. Only time will tell if it maintains this high standard throughout the entire playthrough.