Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is the long-awaited sequel to the cult RPG known for its realism, complex combat system and deep plot. The developers from Warhorse Studios did not just refine the first part, but rethought many mechanics, improved the game’s usability and made pumping more dynamic.
If in KCD1 players often complained about “heavy” controls, complicated mechanics without training and excessive grind, then in the second part most of these problems are solved. It’s easier to work with equipment, easier to carry loot, faster to brew potions, and the gameplay itself feels much smoother. However, with all these improvements, the game has retained its main feature – the absence of errors and a deep level of elaboration of details.
In this article we’ll take a look at the main changes, pumping system and innovations in the game mechanics.
What has changed in KCD2?
The first thing that catches your eye is the smoothness of gameplay. Even at maximum settings the game works stably, giving high frame rate, which was not always possible to achieve in the first part. The combat system also became noticeably more pleasant: now battles with several opponents do not turn into chaos, and combo-strikes are performed more intuitively.
The developers have also greatly simplified many routine processes. For example, now you can quickly change equipment, using three pre-prepared sets of armor and clothing. However, saving these sets is not provided – if an item is removed, it will have to be manually returned to the slot, which does not look like the most convenient solution yet.
Another important innovation is the increased limit of the carried weight. If in the first part overload quickly turned you into a turtle, then now at high levels you can carry up to 400 kg on yourself and the same amount on a horse. This is an incredible relief for those who like to collect loot or trade.
How does character progression work?
The level system in KCD2 remains familiar, but has been reworked based on player feedback.
Now the character is pumped not only through quests and battles, but also through interaction with the world:
- Strength increases from using heavy weapons and lifting weights.
- Dexterity improves from using light weapons, archery, and stealth.
- Stamina increases with prolonged running, jumping, and even overloading.
- Eloquence can now be developed not only in dialogs, but also through reading books and exploring the world.
New and improved perks
One of the most notable revisions is the perk system. If in KCD1 many skills were not very useful or strictly limited, now the choice is more flexible. For example, if before you had to choose between fast sprint and stamina saving, now you can take both skills at once.
Some interesting perks:
- Memorable – the hero’s reputation spreads throughout the region, greatly simplifying relations with NPCs.
- Red Zig’s Heritage – speeds up the pumping of selected skills, eliminating the need to “nerd out” the same actions.
- Well Built – increases the weight limit, reducing the likelihood of overloading.
- Die Hard – gives you a chance to regain some health after a fatal blow, allowing you to avoid sudden defeat.
- Partner in Crime – Allows you to sell stolen goods to any merchant without the danger of being exposed.
Characteristics overview and their importance
As in the first part, each characteristic affects many aspects of gameplay. Let’s take a closer look at them.
1. Strength – the main parameter for warriors
This parameter is responsible for physical strength and the ability to use heavy weapons. The higher the strength, the more powerful the attacks, the higher the chance to penetrate armor and the greater the weight carried.
2. Eloquence – the power of words
This skill now grows faster, as it is pumped not only in dialogs, but also through reading books and exploring the world. The higher the eloquence, the easier it is to convince NPCs, get discounts from merchants and avoid conflicts.
3. Dexterity – speed and maneuverability
This affects attack speed, the ability to perform complex dodges, and archery success. It is especially useful for brigands, archers and thieves, as it allows you to hide faster and evade enemies more easily.
4. Stamina – the basis of survival
Responsible for your strength reserves, recovery rate and ability to endure physical exertion. Now it swings faster than in the first part, and thanks to the new perks, the hero runs longer and gets tired slower in battle.
Balance between realism and comfort
One of KCD2’s greatest strengths is the balance between realism and playability. In the first installment, many mechanics looked authentic but were annoying due to slow pacing or difficult environments. Now the developers got rid of excessive hardcore in favor of smoother gameplay.
For example, alchemy has become much more convenient: now the process of creating potions does not take a lot of time, and animations can be skipped. Skill development has also become less tedious – more ways of pumping have been added, and some skills grow almost automatically during normal gameplay.
However, despite all the improvements, the game still doesn’t forgive a mindless approach. If you don’t keep track of your power reserves in battle or ignore reputation mechanics, the game will punish you for it.
Conclusion: is KCD2 a worthy sequel?
Definitely yes. The developers didn’t just make a sequel, they did a lot of work on the bugs. Battles have become smoother, upgrading has become faster, and interaction with the world has become more convenient. At the same time, the game has not lost its atmosphere and complexity, keeping the spirit of the first part.
The main pluses:
- Smoother and more comfortable gameplay without sacrificing realism.
- Advanced pumping system with a lot of new useful perks.
- Big changes in inventory and weight mechanics, making the game less of a chore.
- A deep role-playing system where you can develop any aspect of your character.
The only downsides that can be highlighted are the game’s difficult beginning and long cut-scenes. If you don’t like to spend a long time figuring out mechanics or prefer a minimum of dialog, you may find the start hard.
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