Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Preview: Purest Evolution of a Stellar RPG

As a devoted fan who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich world of Kingdom Come Deliverance, I can confidently say that the upcoming sequel, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, is shaping up to be an absolute masterpiece. Having had the privilege to preview a slice of this game at Gamescom, I was left in awe of Warhorse Studios’ remarkable evolution while maintaining the heart and soul of the original.

Back in 2014, Warhorse Studios launched a Kickstarter project aimed at financing Kingdom Come Deliverance’s development. Within just a few months, this project exceeded its goal not once, but three times over! Fast-forward to 2018, and one of the most authentic open-world RPG games was born, receiving an incredibly favorable response from gamers worldwide.

Currently, the team is gearing up to unveil Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, which serves as a direct sequel to the initial game and represents an advancement in every aspect. I had the opportunity to play KCD2 at Gamescom, experiencing a substantial portion of the game specifically reserved for press attendees.

This is my preview – enjoy.

Flawless Execution

In my review, I mentioned that my playtime with King’s Court Definitive Edition 2 was approximately 50 hours into the game. Henry, a resilient character from Skalitz, was engaged in a duel with a local swordmaster at this point. Following this encounter, a series of events unfolded. I was able to traverse Kuttenberg, one of the two expansive cities found in KCDII, and test out many of its primary gameplay mechanics.

Stealth
Open Combat
Lockpicking
Dialogue
Tournaments
Bartering

I’ve accumulated around 200 hours playing Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and I’d definitely classify myself as a dedicated fan. Not too long ago, I was fortunate enough to chat with Tom McKay, the actor behind Henry of Skalitz, the game’s main character.

Upon entering King’s Curse II, I was astonished by the noticeable upgrade compared to the initial installment. Remarkably, Warhorse Studios has achieved a noteworthy feat as they’ve managed to advance KCDII significantly while preserving the fundamental essence and ambiance of the original game.

Visually, KCDII is nothing less than breathtaking. The characters, movements, lighting, and richness of the environments players can traverse are all exceptional. It’s clear this game is part of the Kingdom Come series, but Warhorse Studios has elevated it to a whole new level. Witnessing it is a delight.

I delved deeper into the game past the initial demo, carefully examining the menus and user interface. To my surprise, I couldn’t find a single issue or flaw. Everything in this new version has been polished for its second release, and everything simply functions seamlessly. The menus are user-friendly, the UI has become more accessible, and the crafting and leveling-up systems are easy to grasp and make perfect sense.

In the sequel of KCD (2018), the character Henry now grips door handles more confidently as opposed to the fumbling hand seen previously. This may seem minor, but such details significantly enhance the experience when playing an open-world RPG game like KCDII. If you’re not a fan of appreciating small improvements in these types of games, you might not grasp why aspects like this are so thrilling.

Bigger, Better, Bolder

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is expected to be an impressive follow-up. The plot continues from the original game released in 2018, so it would be beneficial to play the first game to get a grasp of the storyline. Despite expanding the world twice its original size, Warhorse Studios has managed to preserve the unique feel of the game. It’s larger, but it’s also filled with places to explore and activities to engage in.

In this game, you have complete freedom to shape your own character, Henry of Skalitz. You can choose from various weapons, armor, and abilities that best suit your playstyle. Additionally, the game strives for realism, ensuring that the fighting techniques, character interactions, and overall atmosphere are all faithful to the time period.

In just a week’s time, I transitioned from immersing myself in King’s Crown: Definitive Edition to delving into King’s Crown II. I believe this was an excellent approach, as the contrast between the two games is truly awe-inspiring. As I became engrossed in King’s Crown II, I felt like the wind had been swept through my hair. It’s seamless, it’s engaging, and the entire team at Warhorse Studios deserves immense praise for their exceptional work.

I can see KCDII becoming my Game of the Year in 2025 – but it does have some strong competition.

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 will be released on February 11, 2025, on PS5, XSX, and PC.

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