With the recent release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's time to explore whether Warhorse Studios' second foray into depicting Czech history through video games is worth your time. Having spent 10 hours immersed in the game, I can confidently say that my urge to play instead of work speaks volumes about its appeal. Let's delve deeper into what makes this game tick.
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Comparison with the First Game
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II continues the tradition of its predecessor as an open-world Action RPG, focusing on historical accuracy and realism. You can embody a valiant knight, a stealthy thief, or engage in diplomacy. Essential activities like eating and sleeping keep you efficient, and tackling three bandits single-handedly remains a daunting challenge.
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The graphics are the first to catch your eye, with even more stunning landscapes than before, yet they don't strain your hardware excessively. This balance is rare in modern AAA titles. The combat system has been refined with minor but significant improvements: one less attack direction, easier enemy switching, and a more rhythmic parrying system. Combat feels more intuitive, yet no less challenging. Enemies now exhibit smarter behavior, making group battles feel more intense as they attempt to flank and outmaneuver you.
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Beyond combat, the game introduces blacksmithing alongside familiar mini-games like alchemy and dice. This new craft not only generates income but also allows you to forge quality equipment. The variety of items to forge ensures this activity remains engaging, though mastering the unique controls for certain items, like horseshoes, can be challenging.
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Bugs
Unlike the first Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which launched with numerous technical issues, the sequel is in a much more polished state. In my 10 hours of gameplay, I encountered only minor bugs. Early on, dialogue selection buttons flickered and became unresponsive, but a restart resolved it. Another amusing glitch saw a tavern maid teleport from a table to the floor. These are minor visual hiccups that don't detract from the overall experience.
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Realism and Difficulty
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II strikes a balance between realism and gameplay. It feels authentic without making the experience tedious, which is crucial for immersion. There's no difficulty setting, which might deter those who prefer less challenging games. However, if you've completed titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, you should manage well, provided you avoid recklessly engaging groups of enemies alone.
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The historical accuracy is impressive. While I'm not a historian, the game's approach encourages players to explore and appreciate historical facts rather than force-feeding them.
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Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
Even if you haven't played the original, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is accessible. The prologue effectively introduces Henry's backstory, setting the stage for newcomers. The epic opening seamlessly blends tutorials with engaging storytelling, immersing you in medieval Bohemia within the first hour.
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While it's too early to fully evaluate the story and quests, what I've experienced so far is promising. With the potential for a 100-hour adventure, the game's initial impressions are strong. After 10 hours, I'm impressed with the enhancements across the board. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is shaping up to be a remarkable RPG, and I'm eager to see if it sustains its strengths throughout the entire journey.
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