With the recent release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's crucial to determine whether Warhorse Studios' second venture into the world of Czech history through video games is worth exploring. After spending 10 hours immersed in the game, I find myself eager to launch it instead of working, which speaks volumes about its allure. Let's dive deeper into what makes this sequel compelling.

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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. Players can choose to be a valiant knight, a stealthy thief, or opt for diplomatic solutions. Essential activities like eating and sleeping enhance gameplay efficiency, while tackling multiple bandits alone remains a formidable challenge.

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The most striking improvement is in the graphics. The landscapes are even more breathtaking than before, yet the game runs smoothly on PCs and consoles, striking a rare balance for modern AAA titles.

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The combat system has been refined with minor yet impactful changes. One less attack direction, easier enemy switching, and a more rhythmic parrying system make combat more intuitive, though not less challenging. The game now offers greater tactical variety, with smarter enemy behavior.

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When facing groups of enemies, their strategic advantage is more pronounced than in any other game. They attempt to surround you and attack from behind, with injured foes retreating to let their comrades continue the fight.

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In addition to familiar mini-games like alchemy and dice, players can now engage in blacksmithing. This craft not only generates income but also provides high-quality equipment. The diverse range of items to forge keeps the process engaging, though I found crafting a horseshoe more challenging than making swords and axes due to unique controls.

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Bugs

Many recall the technical issues that plagued the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance at launch. However, Deliverance II has been released in a much more polished state, which is impressive for a large-scale RPG.

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During my playtime, I encountered only a few minor bugs. Early on, dialogue selection buttons flickered and became unresponsive, but a simple restart resolved the issue. Another instance saw a tavern maid climbing onto a table and then teleporting back to the floor. These are minor visual glitches that do not detract from the overall experience.

Realism and Difficulty

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II strikes a balance between realism and gameplay, avoiding the pitfalls of excessive realism that could make the experience tedious. The game's believable atmosphere enhances immersion.

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There is no difficulty selection, which might deter some players who prefer less challenging games. However, it's not as demanding as Dark Souls. If you've completed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on any difficulty, you should be able to handle Kingdom Come, provided you avoid recklessly engaging groups of enemies alone.

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The historical aspect is meticulously crafted. While I'm not a historian, the game encourages players to explore its historical context without forcing facts upon them.

Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?

Even those who haven't played the first game can easily jump into Deliverance II. The prologue effectively introduces the events of the original, ensuring newcomers understand Henry's backstory.

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The epic opening blends solid tutorials with an engaging pace, allowing players to fight, laugh, and immerse themselves in medieval Bohemia within the first hour.

It's too early to fully assess the story and quests, but what I've experienced so far is impressive. Whether this quality holds throughout the full 100 hours remains to be seen.

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After 10 hours in this medieval life simulator, I appreciate the improvements across the board compared to the first game. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is shaping up to be a remarkable RPG. Whether it can maintain its strengths throughout the entire playthrough is something we'll discover in time.