Deliverance 2 promises more than we expected

One of the most anticipated releases at the beginning of the year is Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2the sequel to the hyper-realistic medieval RPG released in 2018 by Warhorse Studios. This second installment, which was initially scheduled to release last year, promises to expand on the concepts of the first game and appeal to an even wider audience.

Thanks to Warhorse Studios and Plaion, we had early access to the full version and, after playing the first 10 hours, we can only say that this title promises… a lot! While it may seem like a considerable amount of time, for an RPG of this magnitude we feel like we've barely scratched the surface of what it has to offer.

At the outset, it must be clear that the game picks up exactly where the first installment ended. Although in this time of trial we have been able to remember several of the key events of Kingdom Come: Deliverancewe think it's worth learning about the events of the original game in advance. In the official YouTube channel of the titlethere is a detailed summary with the cinematic scenes of the first game that we highly recommend to better understand the relationship of Henry, our protagonist, with some of the characters we have seen so far.

One of the aspects I liked the most is how this sequel feels more accessible from the start, even for more casual players. While in the first game the introduction was endless, with a somewhat tedious start and very advanced combat mechanics, in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 The developers have opted for a more cinematic narrative. They introduce us to the general mechanics gradually, without overwhelming us. Sure, we have combat, stealth, and decisions early on, but the game doesn't completely let go of us until we complete the introduction. This has allowed us to enjoy the initial narrative much more and, for players who did not try the first title, it serves as an excellent taster of what is to come. In addition, the graphic component and animations are top-notch.

However, one thing that hasn't changed is the way the systems and mechanics are explained. The tutorials are full of text, and for many players who do not have the patience to read them, the most common thing will be to skip them. This happened to me with the game of dice, an activity available almost at the beginning of the game. It was difficult for me to understand the tutorial, and I only managed to understand it empirically, remembering that it is practically the same system as the previous game.

With the introduction complete and full access to the open world, I've been impressed by how alive the environment feels. All of the mechanics from the previous game are present, but they feel more refined. In addition, the game offers more opportunities to generate comic moments, not only in the main story, but also in the adventures that arise spontaneously as we play.

This title continues to focus on hyperrealism, with mechanics that emulate the daily life of the time. In these initial hours we have learned to make potions, dry leaves, cook and forge weapons. Creating potions is an art that requires methodically following the steps in an instruction book. The process of forging weapons is similar: you have to heat the metal, hit it with a hammer, and shape it. It is a very demanding game in this sense, but at the same time rewarding.

Random events are another highlight. These force us to be attentive to everything that happens around us, from what we hear to what we see in the distance. The fast travel and map feel similar to the first game, as does the interface, which at times feels like you're playing an expansion to the original title.

One of the mechanics I enjoyed most in the first game, and which returns here, is how character clothing and hygiene affect the perception of NPCs. If we are clean, well dressed, or even wear the right combination of clothing, we can influence how others treat us. In the first game, this became evident later in the game, but here we notice it from the beginning, which is very fun and gives us alternatives to complete missions from the beginning.

Combat, while slightly more fluid, is still just as challenging. For those who mastered the style of the first game, this will be good news. However, for new players, this will still be a barrier to entry as it can be frustrating, especially after the events of the introduction.

In our testing of the PS5 version, we loved how technically polished the game feels. The game's loading times are very fast and, so far, we have not encountered any major visual problems beyond some game mismatches. lipsync. We know that these details will be corrected before launch. However, something we miss is a localization for Latin America. The Spanish from Spain used in the game does a good job of employing older language, but for most players from Latin America it can be difficult to understand certain idioms or ways of speaking.

The 10 hours of gameplay flew by, and we feel like our game is just beginning, this is the tip of the iceberg. So far, we've really enjoyed what we've seen and played, especially how the story and character chemistry is coming together. The narrative has begun in a promising way.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 It will arrive on February 4 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Don't forget that we will have the full review of the game soon.