Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – Game of the Year Contender

Key Takeaways

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II doubles the map size with Trosky and Kuttenberg.
• Compared to the original game, it features well-balanced sword battles and a new fighting system that uses four directions.
• For every violation, crime punishing crime mechanics produces permanent consequences.
• The saving system sparked some controversy as it is based on limited resources or auto-saving.
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is going to be a strong Game of the Year Contender.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is Warhorse Studios’ triumphant return. Critics already acclaim it as a top Game of the Year Contender. 

Most recall the original game’s complexity and performance glitches. Now, the second game comes with a larger map and better stability.

Double-sized maps and some amazing hardcore survival mechanics result in more realism. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, you again enter Bohemia, guiding Henry on a path of politics, blacksmithing, and ethical dilemmas.

More Regions With Bohemia

The studio again provides you with medieval Bohemia with new regions. 

You now travel through Trosky and Kuttenberg, effectively doubling the area to play. Farms, rolling hills, and walled cities now look more realistic. NPCs congregate at markets, talking about what’s happening and spreading rumors. Noble courts are filled with conflicting personalities.

The whole world is realistic, based on precise architecture and historically accurate attire. The transformation from farms to city squares occurs naturally. You can feel the tension of a feudal society strained to its limits.

Henry’s inclusion brings all the game aspects together. The sequel takes place after the end of the first game. Multiple storylines carry on, but beginners still catch up quickly.

Warhorse Studios honors back players by awarding Henry achievements, but they also reset some of his skills. Initial events bring him down a notch, justifying rebuilding his skills.

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Map Comparison

Punishing Crime System With Better Combat

Combat is first-person, with direction-based strikes. Warhorse Studios reduced directions from five to four, so you will have more clarity in mind during battles.

The fourth direction causes a thrust, which requires timing. Perfect blocks and counters provide rewarding rhythms in fights. However, they are hard to master. Every sword duel can test you. The learning curve in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II puts your reflexes to the test.

During battles, you need to monitor stamina and look for opportunities. There are stealth assassinations, too. It means that you can sneak up, take out a guard, or try an all-out fight.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II makes the crime system more intense. Guards detect trouble much more easily. Your reputation is affected if you rob or attack villagers. Some NPCs notice your wrongdoings hours or days afterwards.

When the violations pile up, you could pay penalties or lose important alliances. Forgiveness never happens fast, and you have to weigh moral decisions. Players of the original KCD game remember how harsh that system was. Now, it’s more fair and better balanced. If you gamble too much, the game comes down on you hard.

Hardcore Survival Classic

You play as Henry, who must manage hunger, energy, and clothes maintenance. Rotten food makes him ill, and damaged armor influences NPC behavior. The sequel minimizes frustration, but it still demands effort.

If you enjoy historically based roleplay, you will find these requirements engaging. However, these can be extra work for some. 

Warhorse Studios listened to feedback regarding beginner-friendly aspects. They included more explicit tutorials and more adaptable methods.

You can search for safe places to rest or pay an innkeeper. Blacksmithing makes a return in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. It means that now you can repair equipment or create new gear. So much focus on details separates Kingdom Come: Deliverance II from much of the modern RPG genre.

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Survival Elements

The game requires that you live within a world of strict rules. Stealing carries risk, and sleep deprivation impairs sword blows.

Rushing around unprepared leads to trouble. Some elements are as follow:

Controversy Around Saving System

A recurring feature is the restrictive saving mechanic. The potion named Savior Schnapps returns.

Players cannot continously record progress unless they rest in special beds or use items for it. It creates tension and invests you in every decision. However, it also traps you if you fail to prepare.

Warhorse Studios believes that the system makes the game more realistic. The system makes sure that decisions have consequences. Some view it as a relic of the past, while others like how it influences thoughtful play.

Auto-saves take place at significant story points. This is helpful, but still, random events surprise you.

If you try a big steal and it doesn’t work, reloading could put you back a long way. This would annoy those who want easy reloads. The creator expects you to get used to the conditions. Eventually, most people find it exhilarating. The feeling of danger brings more rewarding consequences.

How The Game Performed And How It Is Received?

Players criticized the bugs of the first installment, and most feared the sequel would follow. On the contrary, the game indicates a smoother experience. Still, some cite a few crashes or distorted animations. 

Warhorse Studios improved the engine for stable framerates and consistent presentation. The game’s Metacritic score is in the high 80s, an indication of widespread acceptance.

Certain players compare it to other “outsider AAA” titles, such as Black Myth: Wukong or Baldur’s Gate 3. They point out how such unusual titles silence doubts and become successes.

The tone of realism received a lot of applause. It pointed towards the severe crime system, stronger storylines, and richer blacksmithing.

The additions in Trosky and Kuttenberg impressed those who yearned for more land and urban regions. It is currently a strong contender for 2025’s best awards, and that buzz grows as more gamers find the sequel.

Steam graphs indicate rising concurrent players, with millions sold already. Those figures surpass the first game’s initial performance, breaking new records for Warhorse Studios.

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GOTY Competition (Game of the Year Contenders)

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is unstoppable now, but there are many heavyweights ahead.

The big question is, can it keep up the momentum until the end of the year? 

One giant could be Grand Theft Auto 6, which is speculated to release in autumn 2025. Then there are games such as Hades 2, Death Stranding 2, Avowed, and Monster Hunter Wilds. Meanwhile, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will also appeal to stealth fans.

TGA (The Game Awards) regulations prefer highly scoring titles with high cultural penetration. The medieval setting appeals to players, but there are high chances that large franchises may dominate. Nevertheless, the game’s uniqueness works in its favour. Traditional story-based RPGs set in history never receive mainstream success.

The success of Baldur’s Gate 3 demonstrates that the niche can reach a huge audience. 

Warhorse Studios follows the same path by doubling down on authenticity. Critics appreciate it, but most gamers long for something less generic.

If the DLC expansions live up to expectations, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II could stay relevant. The voice of players could push it to a final shortlist at The Game Awards.

GOTY Contenders

Wrapping Up!

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a strong sequel that blends historical aspects with RPG elements. The world of Trosky and Kuttenberg is full of activities. The fans love its authenticity. However, the sword combat feels tricky.

The punishing crime system is back, but this time with better AI. Many recognize the contentious saving mechanic. However, Warhorse Studios defends its design. Initial reactions show very few bugs, great performance, and good reviews. 

Competition for the 2025 awards is strong. Grand Theft Auto 6 or Death Stranding 2 could overshadow it. But Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has a loyal fan base. It is interesting to those who want a medieval simulator full of grit and realism. The success of Baldur’s Gate 3 indicates that niche RPGs can flourish. Warhorse’s ambition this year could take the top spot.