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CRITIK

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Item: Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2018

GenresAdventure, Action, Open World, RPG, Drama, Single Player, First Person Perspective

AvailableFeb 13, 2018

PlatformPlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

DeveloperWarhorse Studios

Overview

Story-driven open-world RPG that immerses you in an epic adventure in the Holy Roman Empire. Avenge your parents' death as you battle invading forces, go on game-changing quests, and make influential choices. Explore castles, forests, villages and other realistic settings in medieval Bohemia!

Elsewhere

8.2

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

79%

Mixed (50-79)

21%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Kingdom Come: Deliverance are generally positive. Many critics praise the game for its immersive and realistic narrative, set in a 15th-century world without fantasy elements. Game Informer commends the game for its focus on realism and the perspective of a peasant, offering meaningful choices and surprises along the way. GameCrate describes the story as engaging and immersive, starting with a humble beginning as a blacksmith's son and following a tale of revenge and small-scale affairs. The narrative is also praised by TheXboxHub for being well-written, brilliantly acted, and expertly executed. IGN Spain highlights the dense, well-told, and agile story, focusing on betrayal and bloody revenge, portrayed in a realistic and believable manner. Impulsegamer also mentions that the game offers an engaging and complex story set in a realistic medieval world, with a focus on survival and revenge. However, there are some critics who express negative opinions about the story of Kingdom Come: Deliverance. VideoGamer describes the story as boring and not offensive or radical. They also highlight the conflict between how the player wants to play Henry and how Henry himself acts. Game Debate mentions that the plot is intriguing but occasionally let down by lukewarm scripting and instances where the character acts in completely stupid ways due to the game taking control from the player. Shacknews points out a narrative twist that falls flat and an unnecessary twist centered on the lead character. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a strong aspect of the game. The narrative is praised for its realism, historical accuracy, and immersive qualities. Critics appreciate the focus on revenge, political turmoil, and the protagonist's journey from a lowly status to a position of power. The story is often described as engaging, well-paced, and supported by interesting character development. While there are some criticisms regarding certain aspects of the story, the positive opinions outweigh the negative ones, making the story of Kingdom Come: Deliverance a notable and enjoyable element of the game.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics largely praise the realistic and immersive narrative of Kingdom Come: Deliverance set in a 15th-century world without fantasy elements. They commend its focus on realism, meaningful choices, and engaging character development. While some critics find aspects like scripting and character actions lacking, the consensus is that the story is a strong aspect of the game, offering a compelling journey from peasant to power with themes of revenge and political turmoil.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

45%

Mixed (50-79)

55%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Kingdom Come: Deliverance are quite varied. There are several positive aspects that stand out. Many critics appreciate the game's focus on realism and historical accuracy, with mechanics such as hunger, fatigue, weapon degradation, and social interactions. The combat mechanics are often praised for being intricate, rewarding strategy and careful thinking. The skill development system is also highlighted as a positive aspect, allowing players to specialize and upgrade skills based on usage. The freedom to approach missions and activities in different ways is another aspect that is well-received by critics, offering a robust and immersive role-playing experience. Critics such as GameCrate and Hooked Gamers specifically mention the deep skill trees and the ability to help the protagonist grow and improve in various skills. However, there are also some negative aspects that critics point out. The difficulty of the game is mentioned by several critics, with combat and lockpicking being particularly challenging. The slow pace and laborious nature of the gameplay are also criticized, with some critics finding it tedious and hindered by a restrictive save system. Performance issues, bugs, and lack of polish are mentioned by PC Gamer as drawbacks that affect the overall gameplay experience. The clunky combat and discouragement of ranged combat with a bow and arrow are also mentioned by TheSixthAxis as negative aspects. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a unique and immersive gameplay experience that focuses on realism, consequences, and historical accuracy. The complex combat mechanics, deep skill trees, and freedom to approach missions in different ways are often praised. However, the game's difficulty, slow pace, and some technical issues are mentioned as drawbacks that can affect the overall enjoyment of the gameplay. Despite these criticisms, the majority of critics appreciate the attention to detail and the depth of the gameplay mechanics, making Kingdom Come: Deliverance a compelling and rewarding experience for players who enjoy a challenging and realistic role-playing game.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics praise Kingdom Come: Deliverance for its realism, historical accuracy, intricate combat mechanics, deep skill trees, and immersive role-playing experience. However, they criticize its challenging difficulty, slow pace, technical issues, and clunky combat. Overall, the game offers a unique and rewarding experience for players seeking a realistic and challenging RPG.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

42%

Mixed (50-79)

54%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Kingdom Come: Deliverance are generally positive. Many critics praise the game for its visually diverse environments, accurate historical reproduction, and stunning character models. AusGamers, MondoXbox, TheXboxHub, and Guardian all commend the game's attention to detail and vibrant visuals. They highlight the visually impressive landscapes, bustling cities, and realistic portrayal of medieval Europe. PC Gamer and GameSpew specifically mention the beautiful forests and European countryside. The game's world building and intricate lore are also appreciated by GameCrate and TheSixthAxis. Additionally, the Crytek-powered visuals in Kingdom Come: Deliverance are described as beautiful and realistic by Cubed3. However, there are some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. GameCrate, VideoGamer, ZTGD, and Hooked Gamers all point out technical issues such as glitches, bugs, freezing, crashes, pop-in, and frame rate issues. VideoGamer also mentions the presence of invisible walls, which can be frustrating for players. Cubed3 and Windows Central highlight issues with textures and objects popping in. TheSixthAxis mentions that the character models teeter on the edge of the uncanny valley, which can detract from the overall visual experience. IGN Spain and Impulsegamer note issues with clipping, facial animations, and lip-syncing. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Kingdom Come: Deliverance has visually impressive graphics and visual design, with attention to detail and accurate historical reproduction. The game's portrayal of medieval Europe, vibrant landscapes, and bustling cities are highly praised. However, technical issues such as glitches, bugs, and frame rate issues, as well as occasional issues with character models and animations, are mentioned as drawbacks. Despite these negatives, the game's visuals are generally considered to be visually stunning and immersive.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics praise Kingdom Come: Deliverance for its stunning visuals, diverse environments, and historical accuracy. However, technical issues like glitches and frame rate problems are noted. Overall, the game's graphics are visually impressive, but some flaws detract from the experience.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

33%

Mixed (50-79)

67%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Kingdom Come: Deliverance are varied, with some positive and negative aspects highlighted. TheXboxHub praises the soundtrack, describing it as a great mixture of epic and medieval scores. They also commend the effects, animal noises, and grunts, stating that they are brilliant. COGconnected echoes this sentiment, stating that the tunes in the game are rousing and fun, helping to maintain the proper atmosphere and adding to the overall immersion. VideoGamer specifically mentions the enjoyment of a piece of music accompanying dawn. These positive reviews indicate that the game's music and sound design successfully contribute to the overall experience and create an immersive atmosphere. However, GameCrate and TheSixthAxis have some criticisms regarding the Sound Design and Music of Kingdom Come: Deliverance. GameCrate mentions that the voice acting performances leave something to be desired and there are performance hiccups that affect the overall experience. This suggests that the quality of voice acting may not be consistent throughout the game. TheSixthAxis points out that the fully voiced English cast has decent writing, but is let down by lackluster sound mixing. This criticism suggests that the sound mixing may not effectively enhance the voice acting performances, potentially impacting the overall immersion and enjoyment of the game. Overall, the critics' opinions on the Sound Design and Music of Kingdom Come: Deliverance are mixed. While there are positive comments about the soundtrack, effects, and overall atmosphere, there are also criticisms regarding the voice acting performances and sound mixing. The positive reviews from TheXboxHub, COGconnected, and VideoGamer indicate that the music and sound design contribute positively to the overall experience. However, the criticisms from GameCrate and TheSixthAxis highlight areas where improvements could be made. It is important for players to consider these mixed opinions when forming their own judgment on the Sound Design and Music of Kingdom Come: Deliverance.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics have mixed opinions on the Sound Design and Music of Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Positive reviews praise the epic soundtrack and immersive effects, while criticisms focus on lackluster voice acting and sound mixing issues. The game's music and sound design enhance the overall experience, but improvements are needed in certain areas. Consider both positive and negative feedback before judging the game's audio elements.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

25%

Mixed (50-79)

75%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting of Kingdom Come: Deliverance has received a mix of positive and negative opinions from the critics. Several reviewers, such as TheXboxHub and Impulsegamer, praised the voiceover work, highlighting the high standard of performances and the immersive experience it adds to the game. The presence of a fully voiced English cast with decent writing was also appreciated by TheSixthAxis. Additionally, Destructoid mentioned that the voice acting is solid and the protagonist is surprisingly charismatic, further emphasizing the positive aspects of the performances. However, there were also some criticisms regarding the voice acting in Kingdom Come: Deliverance. GameCrate expressed disappointment, stating that the performances leave something to be desired and affect the overall experience. COGconnected mentioned occasional syncing issues between character mouths and dialogue, which can be distracting. Hardcore Gamer noted unconvincing lines of delivery and poker-faced expressions, suggesting that some aspects of the voice-work could have been improved. Windows Central also mentioned that some voices were bizarrely matched, indicating a lack of consistency in the casting. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Kingdom Come: Deliverance has its strengths and weaknesses. While there are instances of well-acted performances, professional-grade voice acting, and immersive experiences, there are also occasional syncing issues, unconvincing lines, and bizarre voice casting choices. However, the general sentiment leans towards the positive side, with reviewers like Impulsegamer and Metro GameCentral highlighting the immersive experience and higher quality voiceovers than expected for a low budget game. Despite the criticisms, the voice acting in Kingdom Come: Deliverance manages to contribute positively to the overall gaming experience.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics have mixed opinions on the voice acting in Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Some praise its high standard and immersive experience, while others criticize occasional syncing issues and unconvincing deliveries. Despite its flaws, reviewers generally appreciate the positive impact of the voice acting on the game's overall experience.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

63%

Negative (0-49)

37%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of technical performance on Xbox One, the critics' opinions are mixed. AusGamers and GameCrate mention some strange glitches and occasional frame drops, but these issues are described as minor. TheXboxHub and VideoGamer, on the other hand, highlight more significant bugs and crashes that can impact gameplay and require restarts or even complete reboots of the game. ZTGD goes even further, stating that the game is riddled with glitches and frame rate issues on Xbox One X. Despite these technical issues, it is worth noting that TheXboxHub mentions the developers are actively patching the game to address these issues. Moving on to the PC platform, the critics' opinions are overwhelmingly negative regarding the technical performance of Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Hardcore Gamer criticizes the game for being a glitchy mess, with buggy animations, missing textures, frame-rate dips, long load screens, and in-game cutscenes without basic level geometry. GameSpew and TheSixthAxis also mention crashes, stuttering, and performance drops, making it difficult to enjoy the gameplay. PC Gamer and The Overpowered Noobs report various bugs and crashes, while CGMagazine mentions bizarre and frustrating gameplay mechanics. It is worth mentioning that Cubed3 mentions a large patch being downloaded to address these issues, indicating that the developers are actively working on improving the technical performance on PC. On the PlayStation 4 platform, the critics' opinions are also largely negative regarding the technical performance of Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Destructoid, Digital Chumps, and Metro GameCentral mention crashes, bugs, clipping problems, inconsistent frame rates, and glitches at launch. IGN Spain acknowledges the ambitious nature of the game and the small development team, which may explain the frequent technical incompetencies. Trusted Reviews and We Got This Covered mention bugs, crashes, and a frustrating save system, but state that these issues did not significantly impact enjoyment. Impulsegamer mentions poor optimization, long load times, and quests bugging out, but also highlights the developer's plans for free patches and updates to address these issues. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Kingdom Come: Deliverance suffers from various technical issues across all gaming platforms. While some critics mention minor glitches and frame drops, others highlight more severe bugs, crashes, and poor optimization. However, it is important to note that several critics mention the developers actively working on patches and updates to address these issues, indicating a commitment to improving the technical performance of the game. Despite the technical shortcomings, some critics still find the game playable and enjoyable, suggesting that the overall experience is not completely marred by these technical issues.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics have mixed opinions on the technical performance of Kingdom Come: Deliverance across different platforms. Xbox One faces minor glitches, while PC and PlayStation 4 suffer from major bugs, crashes, and optimization issues. Developers are actively working on patches to improve performance, but overall, the game's technical shortcomings impact the gaming experience for many critics.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

57%

Mixed (50-79)

43%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Kingdom Come: Deliverance are generally positive. GameCrate praises the game for offering a unique and immersive experience that encourages exploration and making mistakes, which contributes to its high replay value. TheXboxHub highlights the game's huge and complex world, with numerous side quests and random encounters that add to the replayability. ZTGD mentions that the game's hefty RPG nature, with around 50 hours for a direct playthrough and even more with exploration and side quests, contributes to its replay value. COGconnected emphasizes the extensive gameplay time, with 50 hours for the story alone and around 100 hours of quests, making it a worthwhile experience for RPG fans. TheSixthAxis commends the game's non-linear approach, living world aspect, and the need for thinking and problem-solving in completing content and side quests. On the negative side, Cubed3 mentions that while the game offers hundreds of hours of gameplay and immersion, the rough gameplay and flaws may affect its replayability. This suggests that despite the extensive content, some players may be deterred from replaying the game due to its technical issues. Overall, the critics' opinions indicate that Kingdom Come: Deliverance has a high replay value. The game's unique and immersive experience, extensive world and quests, non-linear approach, and living world aspect contribute positively to its replayability. However, the mention of rough gameplay and flaws by Cubed3 suggests that some players may find these aspects detract from the overall replay value. Nonetheless, the majority of critics express enthusiasm for returning to the game in the future, as mentioned by Shacknews. This consensus suggests that Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a compelling and replayable experience for players who enjoy its complex mechanics and systems.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics agree that Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers high replay value due to its unique immersive experience, extensive world, and non-linear gameplay. Despite technical issues mentioned by some, the game's complex mechanics make it a compelling choice for RPG fans.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

47%

Mixed (50-79)

48%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The opinions of the critics regarding the overall verdict of Kingdom Come: Deliverance are quite varied. Many critics praise the game for its ambitious and immersive historical setting. AusGamers describes it as one of the most interesting RPG releases in years, while Game Informer suggests that it is worth playing for those interested in its realism and historical accuracy. GameCrate also highlights the game's engaging story and gameplay, describing it as a brutal and intense experience. TheXboxHub commends the game's well-written story, amazing graphics, and great soundtrack, stating that its ambition outweighs its flaws. Cubed3 and The Overpowered Noobs both appreciate the game's historical accuracy and focus on realism. However, there are also several criticisms raised by the critics. Many reviewers mention technical issues and bugs as a major drawback of the game. Game Informer specifically states that these issues make it difficult to recommend the game until patches and polish are implemented. VideoGamer criticizes the game for its lack of historical accuracy and technical problems. ZTGD suggests that the game lacks lasting appeal and there are better fantasy RPGs available. Guardian mentions that while the game is visually impressive and immersive, it falls short in exploring the historical topics it presents and struggles to balance its serious tone with its desire to be a playground. TheSixthAxis states that the game has potential but is hindered by performance issues and design choices. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an ambitious and immersive game with a unique and realistic approach to the RPG genre. Critics like GameSpew, Impulsegamer, and We Got This Covered appreciate the game's attention to detail, sense of immersion, and rewarding gameplay. However, the technical issues and bugs mentioned by several critics, such as Game Informer and Digital Chumps, detract from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, many critics still find enjoyment in the game and recognize its potential. PC Gamer, for example, states that the charm of its scrappiness and interesting gameplay elements make up for its technical issues. In conclusion, while Kingdom Come: Deliverance may not be perfect, it offers a distinct and engaging experience for players who appreciate its historical realism and immersive gameplay.

TL;DR

Critics are divided on Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Many praise its ambitious historical setting, engaging story, and immersive gameplay, while some criticize technical issues and lack of historical accuracy. Overall, the game offers a unique and realistic RPG experience, though its flaws, such as bugs and performance issues, may hinder the enjoyment for some players.

CRITIK

Reviews

173 reviews found

Hooked Gamers

Feb 15, 2018