Tag: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

  • Kingdom Come Deliverance Director Backs DLSS 5 Despite Critics

    Kingdom Come Deliverance Director Backs DLSS 5 Despite Critics

    Key Takeaways

    1. Daniel Vávra, creator of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, is defending Nvidia’s DLSS 5 technology amidst backlash from gamers.
    2. DLSS 5 was introduced at Nvidia’s GTC 2026, promising improved lighting and detail but faced criticism for its “uncanny valley” appearance in initial game demos.
    3. Vávra shared a video showcasing DLSS 5 in Starfield and expressed confidence that criticism won’t hinder its development.
    4. He believes that DLSS 5 can be tailored for unique art styles and might replace expensive ray tracing in the future.
    5. Vávra considers the initial DLSS 5 demo a rough version and anticipates significant improvements as studios learn to optimize the technology.

    Daniel Vávra, who is the creative mind behind the hit medieval simulation game Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, is standing up for DLSS 5 and responding to a wave of backlash against Nvidia’s latest technology.

    Focus on Film Adaptation

    At present, Vávra has taken a step back from his regular development duties at Warhorse Studios to concentrate on making a film adaptation of Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Nonetheless, he found time to defend DLSS 5, which has faced scorn from many gamers, being labeled as “AI slop.”

    DLSS 5 Unveiling

    DLSS 5 was introduced during Nvidia’s GTC 2026 conference, where RTX 50-series users were promised that the new technology would enhance lighting and detail through advanced neural rendering without sacrificing performance. The initial demonstration of DLSS 5 showcased an overly processed, “uncanny valley” appearance in games like Starfield, Resident Evil: Requiem, The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Remastered, and Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.

    From the start, gamers and developers dismissed the technology as a failure, with memes saturating social media that depicted DLSS 5 as an unnecessary, overly enhanced beauty filter.

    Vávra’s Support for DLSS 5

    However, Daniel Vávra is undeterred by the recent showcase of DLSS 5 by Nvidia. He recently shared a video of Starfield utilizing DLSS 5 on X, where he defended the tech and stated that no level of criticism would halt its advancement.

    In Vávra’s own words on X: “I can picture that in the not too distant future, developers will be able to tailor this tech for unique art styles or specific people’s faces, and it might replace costly ray tracing, and so on. This is merely an odd beginning. There’s no way the critics will derail this. It’s much more than the soap opera effect that every TV exhibits when you activate motion smoothing.”

    Future of DLSS 5

    Vávra believes that the initial demonstration of DLSS 5 was just a rough early version and doesn’t represent the final product that will be available later this year for RTX 50-series GPUs. He is confident that once studios learn how to optimize DLSS 5 and align it with their artistic vision, it could revolutionize gaming.

    This isn’t the first occasion that the director of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has shared his thoughts on AI. Previously, he admitted to being “no fan of AI-generated art.” However, he has since reconsidered his position, asserting that the technology is here to stay and that developers must adapt to it.

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  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Developers Claim Robbery at Game Awards

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Developers Claim Robbery at Game Awards

    Key Takeaways

    1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won the Game of the Year (GOTY) award at The Game Awards 2025.
    2. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 was a strong contender but did not win, leading to disappointment from its developers.
    3. Mixed reactions followed the announcement, with some supporting the GOTY choice while others expressed dissatisfaction.
    4. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s developers shared a controversial post that some viewed as unprofessional.
    5. Despite the controversy, teams from both games were seen celebrating together, suggesting a lighter intention behind the reactions.

    The Game Awards 2025 happened yesterday, and one of the big announcements was that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won the Game of the Year (GOTY) award. Alongside this, they also introduced new free content for everyone. While this achievement made many happy, the developers of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 were not pleased. They felt that they had been unfairly treated during the event.

    A Worthy Contender

    It’s important to recognize that Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a solid game and was a strong contender for the GOTY award. It features an engaging storyline, unique gameplay that pulls players into a realistic medieval setting, and stunning graphics. Yet, despite these many strengths, it couldn’t quite match up to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

    Mixed Reactions

    Some may find this outcome understandable, but others disagree. Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, the communications director, expressed his disappointment on X, claiming they were robbed and even posted a photo of the trophy from the event. Following this, the official Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 account shared a well-known image of a burning dog with the caption saying everything is fine.

    Controversy Online

    This image could be seen as a light-hearted jab from the developers, but not everyone took it well. Some users reacted negatively to the posts, like @reddrakonmo, who criticized the behavior, stating:

    “This is unprofessional, immature, and incredibly disrespectful to your peers in the gaming industry who rightfully worked hard for their awards and success. Maybe if you even remotely tried being a ‘team player’ in the industry, the ‘team’ would recognize you more often.”

    Despite the controversy, other tweets show the teams from both studios celebrating together, highlighting Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s victory. This suggests that the situation could have been intended as a joke after all.

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  • Obsidian’s Outer Worlds 2 Criticized for Lack of Innovation

    Obsidian’s Outer Worlds 2 Criticized for Lack of Innovation

    Key Takeaways

    1. Daniel Vavra criticized Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds 2 for lack of innovation and new game mechanics despite 15 years of experience and Microsoft’s funding.

    2. Vavra rated The Outer Worlds 2 a 7 out of 10, expressing disappointment that it does not introduce fresh ideas compared to older games like Fallout and Deus Ex.

    3. He called for a more dynamic, living game world, emphasizing the need for genuine non-linearity over scripted experiences.

    4. Vavra claimed Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 achieved realistic world simulation on a lower budget than The Outer Worlds 2, highlighting differences in NPC behavior.

    5. While The Outer Worlds 2 has received a decent Metacritic score, it has a lower user score, indicating mixed player reception despite improvements over its predecessor.

    The director of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Daniel Vavra, has openly criticized Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds 2, claiming that the studio has failed to innovate since its Fallout: New Vegas heyday, despite 15 years of experience and funding from Microsoft.

    Vavra’s Rating and Concerns

    Vavra scored The Outer Worlds 2 a 7 out of 10, expressing his disappointment that the game lacks novel ideas. He shared his thoughts on X:

    “Finished. 7/10. But what saddens me is that the folks behind one of my favorite games ever (Fallout: New Vegas) have been unable, after 15 years and with all of Microsoft’s funds and latest tech, to introduce a single new game mechanic that could evolve this proven but outdated formula into something fresh.”

    A Call for Innovation

    He challenged anyone to identify a new game mechanic in The Outer Worlds 2 that wasn’t already present in Deus Ex or the original Fallout games from over 25 years ago. “Sadly, I can’t,” he said. “I want a living, simulated world! Genuine non-linearity! I need more than loot boxes, maintenance shafts, loading screens, and level grinding in a static, scripted world.”

    Budget Comparisons and Critiques

    Vavra also claimed that Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 achieved a remarkably realistic world simulation on a lower budget, taking a direct jab at Obsidian Entertainment. He stated, “I would bet that budget for KCD2 was WAY LOWER than Outer Worlds 2.”

    After Vavra’s comments, he received many responses, with some questioning whether Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 introduces any new gameplay mechanics. Vavra defended his position, asserting that his game’s detailed simulation allows thousands of NPCs to follow precise daily routines, which isn’t present in The Outer Worlds 2’s “scripted world.”

    The Outer Worlds 2’s Reception

    The Outer Worlds 2 has done well, boasting a Metacritic score of 83/100 from 54 critic reviews, but it has an average user score of only 6.6 from 278 ratings. Players have praised the game as a significant improvement over the 2019 original, providing greater choices.

    Recent successful titles like Larian’s cRPG Baldur’s Gate 3 received acclaim not for groundbreaking mechanics but for the excellent execution of existing gameplay systems. The same applies to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which added an engaging real-time twist to traditional turn-based combat.

    The Impact of Developer Critiques

    Public critiques from developers, especially well-known ones, are rare — and for good reasons: they can be divisive in unexpected ways. Vavra’s review of The Outer Worlds 2 has led fans to defend Obsidian’s game for enhancing the sequel rather than advancing world simulation. Many have argued that Vavra took a significant risk with KCD2, which, against all odds, resulted in success.

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  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Optimized Graphics on Xbox Series S

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Optimized Graphics on Xbox Series S

    Key Takeaways

    1. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has received positive feedback due to its strong performance across various platforms, including the Xbox Series S.
    2. The game runs on CryEngine, which was chosen for its suitability for open-world environments, despite past challenges with lower-end systems.
    3. Consoles like the Xbox Series X and PS5 offer two performance modes: fidelity (30fps at 1440p) and performance (60fps at 1080p), with the PS5 Pro achieving 60fps at 1296p.
    4. Optimizations for the Xbox Series S, despite its limitations, have improved performance on PCs and more powerful consoles.
    5. Players report a smooth gaming experience with minimal lag, even on less powerful systems.

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been seeing lots of players and getting good feedback. One reason for this success is how well the game runs on various platforms. Among those is the Xbox Series S, which pushed Warhorse Studios to enhance the visuals of this action RPG. In a chat on the Iron Lords Podcast, PR manager Tobias Stolz-Zwilling shared insights on how the Series S has aided in improving the performance of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

    Developer Insights

    Interestingly, the game runs on CryEngine, which was known for putting pressure on lower-end systems in the past. However, Daniel Vavra, co-founder of Warhorse Studios, had some criticism towards other options prior to the release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Even though Unreal Engine is often praised for its flexibility, Vavra noticed that open-world games faced challenges while using it. Ultimately, the choice Warhorse Studios made for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, with its vast maps, proved to be the right one.

    Performance Modes

    On consoles like the Xbox Series X and PS5, the medieval RPG from Warhorse Studios offers two modes: fidelity and performance. The fidelity mode runs at 30 frames per second and 1440p, whereas the performance mode increases the frame rate to 60fps, albeit at 1080p. For the PS5 Pro, it maintains a steady 60fps at 1296p with PSSR upscaling, which makes the graphics look crisper.

    Despite having less power, the Xbox Series S is confined to a setting of 30fps and 1080p. Nevertheless, rather than decreasing quality across all platforms, the optimizations for Series S also help boost performance on PCs and more powerful consoles. Many gamers know that lowering shadow and reflection details can quickly enhance frame rates in various games. The CryEngine’s somewhat older lighting techniques contribute positively to performance. Nonetheless, the maps in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 remain vibrant and engaging.

    Smooth Experience

    A lot of newer games face issues with laggy visuals, especially before developers roll out updates. However, players of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are enjoying a seamless gaming experience, even on the Xbox Series S and less powerful PCs.

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    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Optimized Graphics on Xbox Series SKingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Optimized Graphics on Xbox Series S
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  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Developer Reacts to Bad Review

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Developer Reacts to Bad Review

    In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2), gamers once again take on the role of Henry, steering his journey through the medieval landscape of Bohemia. This RPG is a vast, engaging sandbox that is packed with realistic features—Henry needs to eat, sleep, and keep his equipment in good shape, among other tasks. Enhancing the strengths from its 2018 predecessor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, this sequel continues to enchant its loyal fanbase. The standard edition can be found on Steam for $59.99, while the Gold Edition is available for $79.99.

    Impressive Reception

    Just one day post-launch, KCD2 has received 4,790 reviews on Steam, with an impressive 92% of them being favorable. On Metacritic, the game boasts a Metascore of 88, although a user score wasn’t available at the time of this writing.

    A Step Forward

    When compared to its earlier version, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which currently has a Metascore of 76, KCD2 marks a notable improvement. However, lead developer Daniel Vávra expresses some discontent. Out of 53 Metacritic reviews, four are labeled as “Mixed,” meaning they scored below 60. One review that particularly annoys Vávra is from GamesHub’s Jam Walker, who rated the game 50 out of 100, explaining:

    “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a game that bluntly requires you to engage with it on its own terms, which I do find somewhat commendable. Yet, I found it to be a tedious grind to interact with, where everything felt excessively exaggerated. There’s a captivating sandbox hidden within, but excavating through the layers of annoyance was just too much for me most of the time.”

    Commitment to Realism

    The adverse review likely arises from KCD2’s dedication to realism—a key feature that many fans love but that also requires significant effort. Activities such as weapon forging or alchemy must be conducted manually, which can take a lot of time but also deepens the player’s immersion.

    Metacritic holds a significant place in the gaming world, with a game’s Metascore often viewed as a benchmark of its quality, and negative reviews can sway potential buyers. Nevertheless, the GamesHub critique is unlikely to greatly affect KCD2’s success, given that the majority of reviews are in the 80 to 100 range.

    Developer’s Disappointment

    Vávra’s frustration stems from KCD2 not reaching the esteemed 90-point threshold—a level typically reserved for elite games. He conveyed his disappointment in a post on X:

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  • Expansive Medieval RPG Offers Lively World Experience

    Expansive Medieval RPG Offers Lively World Experience

    In February 2018, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, the first game from Warhorse Studios, caught the attention of gamers with its true-to-life game world and immersive gameplay. The narrative centers around Henry, a young man who finds himself embroiled in a medieval Bohemian tale after the tragic loss of his home and family. Players will soon have the opportunity to don Henry’s armor once more, as the sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, is scheduled for release on February 4.

    New Map Unveiled

    The review embargo for the initial of two maps has been lifted, and it certainly meets expectations. Set in what is now the Czech Republic, the Bohemian Paradise boasts vast forests, impressive rock formations, and an array of castles. The creators have skillfully recreated the region’s breathtaking natural beauty, showcasing it with lifelike graphics and vibrant characters. The map’s size is reportedly similar to that of the original game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance.

    Expansive New Region

    The second area of the game, inspired by the historical town of Kuttenberg, is said to be even more expansive. Although specific details are still secret, it is known that the map will encompass not just the town but also its broad surroundings. This marks a significant advancement for the developers at Warhorse Studios. In the first game, Rattay served as the main hub, resembling a large village. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 aims to roughly double the size of its predecessor, offering an estimated 80 to 100 hours of gameplay.

    Emphasis on Realism

    In their debut title, the developers intentionally steered clear of the fantasy tropes common in many role-playing games, choosing instead to create a realistic world set in medieval Europe. Henry must tend to basic needs like eating, sleeping, and maintaining his gear, occasionally visiting a bathhouse to keep clean. The condition of his equipment affects how NPCs perceive him; villagers show deference if he wears shiny armor, but will treat him like a beggar if he’s dressed in ragged clothes. The challenging combat mechanics have been improved, now featuring more realistic movements that elevate the entire experience.

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will be released on February 4 and will come in two versions. The “Gold Edition,” which costs $79.99, includes access to three upcoming DLCs along with extra cosmetic items. The standard version will be available on Steam for $59.99.

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