Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: Preview Unveils Immersive Open World

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: A First Look After 10 Hours

With Kingdom Come: Deliverance II now available, it's time to assess Warhorse Studios' latest foray into historical Czech video games. After 10 hours of gameplay, my initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive, leaving me eager to continue the adventure.

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A Refined Experience:

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II remains a historically-inspired open-world action RPG, offering players a choice of combat styles (knight, thief, or diplomat). Core mechanics like eating and sleeping for stamina management remain, ensuring a realistic challenge. Facing multiple bandits alone is still a daunting task, emphasizing strategic thinking.

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Visually stunning landscapes are a clear upgrade, yet the game runs smoothly, a welcome balance rarely seen in modern AAA titles. Combat is more intuitive with streamlined controls, making switching between enemies easier and parry timing more crucial, adding a layer of tactical depth. Enemy AI is noticeably improved; they actively try to flank and support injured comrades, creating more intense encounters.

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The addition of blacksmithing as a new craft adds depth, providing both income and access to high-quality equipment. The crafting system, while initially challenging (forging horseshoes proved trickier than swords!), offers a rewarding and varied experience.

Image: ensiplay.com

Image: ensiplay.com

Image: ensiplay.com

Technical Polish and Realism:

Unlike its predecessor's troubled launch, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II boasts a significantly improved technical state. Minor bugs encountered (flickering UI, minor animation glitches) were easily resolved with a simple restart, demonstrating a higher level of polish.

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The game's realism enhances immersion without sacrificing enjoyable gameplay. The lack of a difficulty setting might deter some players, but the challenge is manageable for those experienced with other RPGs, provided they approach combat strategically.

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The historical setting is meticulously crafted, encouraging players to learn more about the era without being overly didactic.

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Verdict: A Promising Start:

Newcomers can easily jump into Kingdom Come: Deliverance II; the prologue effectively bridges the gap for those unfamiliar with the first game. The opening hours are engaging, seamlessly blending tutorials with captivating storytelling.

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While the long-term story and quests remain to be fully explored, the initial experience is highly promising. The improvements across the board are significant, making this a compelling RPG. Whether it maintains this quality throughout the entire playthrough remains to be seen.

Image: ensiplay.com