"Kingdom Come: Deliverance II - Initial Thoughts"

With the much-anticipated release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, the question on everyone's mind is whether Warhorse Studios has successfully refined their vision of 15th-century Bohemia. After spending 10 hours immersed in this game, I can confidently say that the pull to return to its world is strong enough to distract me from work. Let's dive into a detailed analysis to see if this sequel is worth your time.

Image: ensiplay.com

Comparison with the First Game

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II retains the core essence of its predecessor as an open-world Action RPG that prioritizes historical accuracy and realism. Players can still choose their path as a knight, thief, or diplomat, with essential mechanics like eating and sleeping to maintain character efficiency. Tackling three bandits single-handedly remains a formidable challenge.

One of the first things you'll notice is the enhanced graphics. The landscapes are even more breathtaking than before, yet the game runs smoothly without pushing your hardware to its limits—a rare feat in modern AAA titles.

Image: ensiplay.com

Combat has been refined with minor but significant improvements. The reduction of attack directions, smoother enemy switching, and a more rhythmic parrying system make battles more intuitive, though not necessarily easier. The game's combat now offers greater tactical variety, with enemies displaying smarter behavior.

Image: ensiplay.com

Group combat is particularly challenging; enemies work together to surround you, and injured foes smartly retreat to let others take the lead.

Image: ensiplay.com

New to this installment is blacksmithing, joining alchemy and dice as engaging mini-games. Crafting items not only provides income but also equips you with high-quality gear. The variety of items to forge keeps the process fresh and interesting, although mastering the unique controls can be tricky.

Image: ensiplay.com

Bugs

Unlike the first game's rocky launch, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has been released in a much more polished state. I've encountered only a few minor bugs during my playtime. An early issue with flickering dialogue buttons was easily resolved with a restart, and a quirky glitch involving a tavern maid teleporting from a table to the floor added a bit of humor but didn't detract from the experience.

Image: ensiplay.com

Realism and Difficulty

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II strikes a balance between realism and fun, ensuring that immersion remains high without bogging down gameplay. There's no difficulty selection, which may deter some, but if you've navigated The Witcher 3 or Skyrim, you'll find this game manageable by avoiding overly ambitious confrontations.

Image: ensiplay.com

The game's historical authenticity is impressive, and while I'm no historian, it encourages players to delve deeper into the era's history without feeling forced.

Image: ensiplay.com

Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

New players can easily jump into Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. The prologue effectively recaps the events of the first game, introducing Henry's backstory and setting the stage for new adventures. The opening hour is a masterclass in blending tutorials with an engaging narrative, drawing you into the world of medieval Bohemia through combat, humor, and exploration.

Image: ensiplay.com

While it's too early to fully judge the story and quests, the initial impressions are promising. After 10 hours, the game's improvements across the board suggest it's shaping up to be a remarkable RPG. Whether it can maintain this quality throughout its full 100-hour playthrough remains to be seen, but for now, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a compelling journey into history worth embarking on.

Image: ensiplay.com