"Kingdom Come: Deliverance II - Initial Reactions"

With the recent release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's time to explore whether Warhorse Studios' second venture into Czech history through video games is worth your time. Having spent 10 hours in the game, I can share my initial thoughts. The urge to dive back into Kingdom Come instead of working speaks volumes about its allure. Let's delve deeper into the game.

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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 mechanics. You have the flexibility to embody a valiant knight, a stealthy thief, or engage in diplomatic resolutions. Essential activities like eating and sleeping maintain your efficiency, while tackling three bandits solo remains a formidable challenge.

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The graphics are the first thing to catch your eye. The landscapes are even more breathtaking than before, and yet, your PC or console won't sound like it's ready to take off. This balance between visual splendor and performance is rare in modern AAA titles.

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The combat system has undergone minor yet impactful improvements. With one less attack direction, switching between enemies is smoother, and parrying now feels like a rhythmic dance rather than a surefire strategy. While combat remains challenging, it's more intuitive, offering greater tactical variety and smarter enemy AI.

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When facing multiple foes, their advantage feels more pronounced than in any other game. They strategically attempt to surround you, attacking from behind, and if one is seriously injured, he retreats, allowing his comrades to take the lead.

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Beyond alchemy and dice games, you can now engage in blacksmithing. This engaging craft not only provides income but also quality equipment. With a variety of items to forge, the process remains fresh. Interestingly, forging a horseshoe proved more challenging than crafting swords and axes due to unique controls.

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Bugs

Many recall the first game's technical issues at launch. However, the sequel has been released in a more polished state, as expected for a large-scale RPG.

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So far, I've encountered only minor bugs. Early on, dialogue selection buttons flickered and became unresponsive, but a simple restart resolved it. Another time, a tavern maid inexplicably climbed onto a table before teleporting back to the floor. These are minor visual glitches—imperfect but not game-breaking.

Realism and Difficulty

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Kingdom Come: Deliverance II strikes a balance, avoiding excessive realism that could dull the gameplay. Everything feels authentic, enhancing immersion.

The game does not offer difficulty settings, which may deter those who prefer less challenging experiences. However, it's not as punishing as Dark Souls. If you've completed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on any difficulty, you should manage Kingdom Come—provided you steer clear of obviously challenging scenarios, like attacking multiple enemies alone.

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The historical accuracy is commendable. While not a historian, I appreciate how the game encourages curiosity about the era without forcing facts upon players.

Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

It's worth noting that newcomers can jump into this game without having played the first. 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 an engaging pace. Within the first hour, you'll experience combat, laughter, and immersion in medieval Bohemia.

While it's too early to fully judge the story and quests, what I've seen so far is impressive. Whether it sustains this quality over the full 100 hours remains to be seen.

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These are my initial impressions after 10 hours in this medieval life simulator. The enhancements across the board compared to the first game are evident. It's shaping up to be a remarkable RPG. Will it maintain its strengths throughout the entire playthrough? Only time will tell.