Vadim "Vadim" Dybinskiy With the recent release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, it's time to figure out whether Warhorse Studios' second attempt at presenting Czech history through video games is worth diving into.
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I’ve spent 10 hours in the game to share my first impressions. Honestly, I feel a strong urge to launch Kingdom Come instead of working, which says a lot. But before that happens, let’s analyze the game.
Comparison with the First Game
Like its predecessor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is an open-world Action RPG that emphasizes historical accuracy and realism in its mechanics. You can play as a valiant knight, a stealthy thief, or try to resolve conflicts diplomatically. Eating and sleeping are essential to maintaining efficiency, and taking on three bandits alone is an extremely difficult task.
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The first thing that catches the eye is the graphics. The landscapes are even more stunning than before, yet PCs and consoles no longer sound like they're about to take off from a helipad. This kind of balance is rare in modern AAA games.
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The combat system has seen minor but welcome improvements. There’s now one less attack direction, switching between enemies is easier, and parrying has turned into a rhythmic dance rather than a guaranteed victory tactic. Fighting has become more intuitive, but not easier. The game introduces more tactical variety, and enemies behave more intelligently.
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When battling a group of enemies, their advantage feels more pronounced than in any other game. They constantly try to surround you and attack from behind. If one of them is seriously injured, he retreats behind his allies, letting them take over the fight.
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In addition to alchemy, dice, and other mini-games, you can now engage in blacksmithing. It’s an interesting craft that provides both income and quality equipment. The process likely won’t become boring quickly, as there are many different types of items to forge. Due to the unique controls, forging a horseshoe turned out to be harder for me than making swords and axes.
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Bugs
Many people remember the poor technical state of Kingdom Come: Deliverance at launch. However, the sequel was released in a polished state—at least as much as possible for a large-scale RPG.
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So far, I’ve encountered only a few minor bugs. Early in the game, the dialogue selection buttons flickered and then became unresponsive, but a simple restart fixed it. Once, a tavern maid climbed onto a table and then teleported back to the floor. These are just small visual glitches—not perfect, but not frustrating either.
Realism and Difficulty
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Kingdom Come: Deliverance II does not suffer from excessive realism that would make the gameplay dull. Everything feels believable, which is crucial for immersion.
The game does not have a difficulty selection, which creates a barrier for those who don't enjoy hardcore games. However, it’s not 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 obviously challenging situations, such as attacking a group of enemies head-on, alone.
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The historical aspect is top-notch. I’m not a historian, so I can’t fully assess its accuracy, but as an average player, I appreciate one key thing: the game doesn’t force facts on you—it encourages you to take an interest in them.
Should You Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
It’s important to note that even those who haven’t played the first game can jump into this one. Throughout the prologue, the game gradually introduces the events of the first Kingdom Come: Deliverance, ensuring newcomers understand Henry’s backstory.
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In addition to setting the stage, the epic opening blends solid tutorials with an engaging pace. Within the first hour, you’ll fight, laugh, and immerse yourself in medieval Bohemia.
It’s still too early to judge the story and quests. What I’ve seen so far has been quite impressive, but whether that holds for the full 100 hours remains to be seen.
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These are my first impressions after 10 hours in this medieval life simulator. I appreciate the improvements in every aspect compared to the first game. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic RPG. Will it maintain its strengths throughout the full playthrough? Time to find out.
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