"Kingdom Come: Deliverance II - Initial Reactions"

With the recent release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's an exciting time to explore whether Warhorse Studios' second venture into the rich tapestry of Czech history through video games is worth your time and investment. Having spent 10 hours immersed in the game, my enthusiasm is palpable—I'm constantly tempted to dive back into the medieval world of Kingdom Come rather than focusing on work, which speaks volumes about its allure. Let's delve into a detailed analysis of the game to see if it lives up to the hype.

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Table of Content

• 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 that prioritizes historical accuracy and realism in its gameplay mechanics. Whether you choose to embody a valiant knight, a stealthy thief, or opt for diplomatic solutions, the game offers versatile roles. Essential activities like eating and sleeping are crucial for maintaining your character's efficiency, while taking on three bandits single-handedly remains a daunting challenge.

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One of the first things that strikes you is the enhanced graphics. The landscapes are breathtakingly more detailed than before, yet the game runs smoothly on both PCs and consoles, a rare feat in today’s AAA titles. The combat system has also seen subtle but significant improvements. With one less attack direction, smoother enemy switching, and a more rhythmic parrying system, combat feels more intuitive yet maintains its challenging nature. The game introduces greater tactical variety, with enemies displaying smarter behavior.

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When facing groups of enemies, their strategic advantage is more pronounced than in most other games. They work together to surround you and attack from behind, while injured foes cleverly retreat to let their companions take the lead.

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Beyond combat, the game introduces new mini-games such as blacksmithing, adding both an income source and the ability to craft quality equipment. With a variety of items to forge, the process remains engaging. The unique controls made forging a horseshoe more challenging for me than crafting swords and axes.

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Bugs

Many players recall the initial technical issues of the first Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Thankfully, the sequel has launched in a much more polished state, as much as possible for a large-scale RPG. My experience has been largely bug-free, with only minor glitches encountered. Early on, dialogue selection buttons flickered and became unresponsive, but a quick restart resolved the issue. Another time, a tavern maid climbed onto a table and then teleported back to the floor—minor visual hiccups that do not detract from the overall experience.

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Realism and Difficulty

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II strikes a fine balance with its realism, avoiding the pitfalls of making gameplay tedious. The game's believable mechanics enhance immersion significantly.

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There's no difficulty selection, which may deter some players who prefer less challenging experiences. However, it's not as punishing as Dark Souls. If you've successfully navigated The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on any difficulty, you should be able to handle Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, provided you steer clear of obviously challenging scenarios like solo confrontations against groups of enemies.

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The game's historical accuracy is commendable. While I'm not a historian, the game's approach to history feels authentic and engaging, encouraging players to explore and appreciate historical facts rather than forcing them upon you.

Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

Even if you haven't played the first game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is accessible to newcomers. The prologue effectively introduces the events of the original, ensuring everyone understands Henry's backstory.

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The epic opening seamlessly blends tutorials with engaging pacing, allowing you to fight, laugh, and immerse yourself in medieval Bohemia within the first hour. While it's too early to fully judge the story and quests, what I've experienced so far has been impressive. Whether this quality persists throughout the estimated 100-hour playtime remains to be seen.

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After 10 hours in this medieval life simulator, I'm thoroughly impressed with the improvements across the board compared to the first game. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is shaping up to be a remarkable RPG. Whether it sustains its strengths through a full playthrough is something I'm eager to discover.