Medieval epic in the test – “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II”: A historical novel that has become alive

The Middle Ages was far less dark than the old history books want to believe. We know that today. With “Kingdom Come: Deliverance” 2018, the Czech Warhorse Studios contributed to making the medieval world more colorful. Six years later, “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II” is the long -awaited successor in the player shells and wants to go one step further in all matters – and be better.

The events of the first part will continue seamlessly in Part 2. We slip into the role of the blacksmith Heinrich von Skalitz, who his place in the Bohemia of the 15th. For newcomers, the story is summarized again, so it is not a prerequisite to have played the first part.

“Kingdom Come: Deliverance II”: With sword, halberd or ax

From the first person perspective, we control the character and learn different skills on our over 100-hour trip depending on the playing style. Do we prefer the Schleich path? Then sneaking and locks are announced. Fighters learn new skills with a sword, halberd or ax, protect against bow, crossbow or the first black powder. If you like it rather subtle, you can improve your language skills and escape with rhetorical skill of some combat situations.

Excursus sword fight:
The author of these lines has practiced medieval martial arts for ten years. From practice it can be confirmed that “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II” contains the most beautiful and authentic implementation of medieval sword fighting techniques that we have ever seen in a video game. The keeping of the weapon (huts), blows (i.e. strokes) and also advanced techniques (such as the short suspension) can not only be learned, but also used precisely and specifically in combat. This creates a great flow that feels very real. The game is worth it alone if this small subjective insertion is allowed …

What stands out in the first few minutes: Kingdom Come: Deliverance II “looks beautiful. The medieval world is implemented in detail, we discover loving details, historically well -researched buildings, crafts and technology of the time. On that leads us to short texts about what we discovered so that we can understand the thoughts of the developers and learn new things about the old days.

“Kingdom Come: Deliverance II”: Small and large anecdotes are waiting on every corner

This and the great sound design create a great pull in Heinrich's world. We caught how we simply chased over the Bohemian hills and through the mysterious forests, in order to then find out the church towers that appeared in the distance, to experience new little stories in a joyful expectation.

Because in addition to the varied and quite turn -rich main story, we always discover side quests that let us experience small to medium -sized anecdotes. So we have to fight wolves, save a crashed hunter from the tree and discover a secret ingredient with which the monks make their wine so delicious.

These stories are told by and with figures that are simply well written. We get to know unpleasant village oil polel, dazzling nomads and vain nobles. Everyone speaks how the beak has grown, and that can be coarse. “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II” is not squeamish in this regard, because the people in Heinrich's world know an amazing repertoire of swear words!

“Kingdom Come: Deliverance II”: A story, several ends

From time to time we have to force ourselves to hide the many ways that the game offers us to pass the time to advance the main story. This develops in many game scenes, dialogues, but also well -made cutscenes in a slightly mapped game graphic. Here we can also make decisions that in turn influence the further course of the game. Incidentally, this also applies to the characters in the game world: we kill a potential quest giver, he remains dead. We cannot attack only people who are important for the main story.

The first part was already convincing with its game world and the well -told story, but Warhorse succeeds in adding a shovel in all areas. However, there were also criticisms (for the test) in 2018:

• The storage system had an in-game method: Although you could sleep and save in your own accommodation, you needed a rescuer schnapps on the way-if you didn't have any, you couldn't save. That is still the case. However, you can now save at any time and switch to the main menu, which relieves the pain somewhat.
• The game had to struggle with many bugs: Sometimes dialogues did not load properly or some quests could not be locked for any reason because the game did not “come” with the events. We also experienced this at “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II”, but much less often. Here, for example, we had successfully identified Kumanen that you should no longer enter a tavern, but you will be invited there again and again at all subsequent storage stands. Too bad, but also nothing that affects the game sustainably negatively.
• The animations and dialogues seemed somewhat wooden. The characters now appear lifelike and the conversations are more entertaining and set to music.
• The game was not entry -friendly, but at least aimed at advanced players. That is still the case today. And that's a good thing! Because only through the (always fair) level of difficulty do you develop a feeling for the danger that comes from this medieval world.

There are games when you simply notice that the developers put a lot of passion in. “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II” is such a game. Even if it still has a few corners and edges – but significantly less than its predecessor – the game is an experience, like a historical novel that has become alive. You learn a lot about the Middle Ages, but can also completely ignore it and, for example, the personal quest to become the best swordsman in Central Europe. Or blacksmith. Or alchemist. Or lovers, but that's another topic …

Evaluation: 5 out of 5 Kuttenberger smoke sausages.