When it comes to sequels like Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, the term ‘hit or miss’ has been used to describe a lot of them. There have been a lot of follow-ups to games that have improved upon what came before while making it feel fresh and new. Mass Effect 2, The Last Of Us 2 and Assassin’s Creed 2, for example.
Yet there have also been sequels which fail to live up to expectations and tarnish what came before – Duke Nukem Forever being a prime example. It comes as no surprise then that Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 falls into the good sequel category. Actually let me amend that… It comes as no surprise that Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 falls into the outstanding sequel category.
Yes, it really is that good.
The original Kingdom Come Deliverance turned the RPG genre on its head back in 2018 with its realistic (and no dragons or magic) take on medieval RPGs. Everything from the combat, survival management and skill learning felt fresh and real. You actually felt like Henry on his journey for revenge.
Now, in the time since its release, there has been another significant RPG to take the gaming world by storm, but we’re not here to talk about that. We’re here to talk about Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and why it’s such a good game.
The first question I’ve heard a lot about this game is, do you have to play the first one to know what’s going on in this one? The short answer is no, which the developers of Warhorse Studios have been very open about. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is a game for returning players but also for new players as well. The story does start shortly after where the first game left off, but the opening does a damn good job of getting new players up to speed with the main story beats and plot points of the first game.
There are also lines of dialogue in conversations that help fill in the important blanks to get you up to speed. The developers know what they are doing and aren’t leaving new players at a disadvantage over returning players. Does it help to have played the first game to understand what’s going on better? Yes, but it’s not a necessity.
So let’s continue as if you are a player who has never played Kingdom Come Deliverance before. Why should you play this game?
Well, for one, the story is fantastic and puts you in the shoes of an average Joe called Henry. He’s not special in any way like the Dragon Born or a Witcher. He’s a normal person like you and me. A son of a Blacksmith to be exact. So to start with, he’s not the most skilled all around in things like sword play, archery, horse riding or conversation.
But just like a normal person, the more you do something, the better you get at it. So the more you ride a horse, the more your skill increases. The more you walk while carrying a near-full inventory, the more your strength increases. You can then use skill points earned from leveling up to use on perks that will help you get discounts when trading or improve your combat.
Another reason why this game feels more alive and engaging than other RPGs is how it approaches things like crafting and potion making. Most games just do this through a menu, but here you get involved, forging a new weapon or brewing a new potion. It’s innovative, fun and most of all, engaging.
There’s nothing more rewarding than collecting all the materials for a sword you want to craft, taking part in the process of forging the sword and then seeing the finished product. You can then take it over to a grindstone to sharpen it while actively controlling the speed of the stone and the angle of the blade. They’ve honestly thought of everything.
Like in the first game, I did find the swordplay and archery a little tricky to get a handle on. It does feel more natural with time, but don’t be put off by the combat mechanics the first time. Stick with it.
However, one element of the realism that I did find a bit too tricky, like in the original game, is lockpicking. Now, it’s not as hard as it used to be, like when the first game was originally released, but it does require you to get a knack for it. If you’re expecting Fallout or Skyrim-style lock-picking, that would be classed as amateur compared to the lock-picking in this game.
One thing you will find during your playthrough is looking at yourself in the world of Bohemia so much that you will spend hours exploring the gorgeous locations and partaking in countless engaging and unique side quests. I’ve actually found that I spent so much time doing this that I hadn’t progressed on the main quest. But that’s the beauty of this game. It has so much to offer that you can approach it however you like.
Graphically, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is gorgeous. Like I said, I spent countless hours just exploring the countryside due to the sheer photo realistic detail of the forests, rivers and fields. The lighting just makes the game pop even more, drawing you further into the realism. The character models are also improved over the first game, with more realistic movement and expressions. Overall, graphically, this game is a sight to see.
Soundwise, the musical score (like the first) is a treat to the ears. The voice acting is again top-notch, and the sound design is on point, with authentic sounds to add to the realism.
During my playthrough, I did have the odd glitch here and there, but nothing too detrimental. I did notice that a few characters’ voices seemed to change from cutscenes to normal gameplay. The character Vasko is a notable one for me. During the quest I was going through, he had a very thick Cuman accent, but as soon as the quest was over and I went to talk to him, it was like the voice actor changed, and the voice was more English sounding. This was a bit distracting, but I’ve only noticed it on a couple of NPC’s throughout my playthrough.
Overall, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is an outstanding game that vastly improves upon what came before and outshines it in every way. Whether you are a new player or a returning player, there is something special here to keep you engaged.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Trailer
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is out now and available on PC, Xbox Series S and X, PS5 and PS5 Pro.
Read more awesome reviews >>here<<.
The code was provided by the distributor.
You must be logged in to post a comment.