Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: A Deep Dive into Console and PC Performance

Warhorse Studios' upcoming title, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2), promises impressive performance across various platforms, from consoles to PCs. Recent tests reveal smooth gameplay and impressive visuals, leveraging the capabilities of CryEngine.

CryEngine's Photorealistic Prowess

KCD2's utilization of CryEngine, known for its performance-oriented approach, delivers surprisingly photorealistic visuals. While employing a more traditional rendering technique with simpler shaders and lighting compared to engines like Unreal Engine, KCD2 excels through its physically based materials and CryEngine's SVOGI (sparse voxel octree global illumination). This technology convincingly renders indirect lighting, enhancing realism in elements like torchlight and metallic reflections.

Console Performance: Fidelity vs. Performance

PS5 and Xbox Series X offer both fidelity (30fps at 1440p) and performance (60fps at 1080p) modes. Xbox Series S is limited to fidelity mode. The PS5 Pro boasts a 60fps experience at 1296p, upscaled to 4K using PSSR. Fidelity mode enhances visuals with increased foliage detail and improved shadow casting, while the PS5 Pro further refines these aspects, adding sharper visuals and superior ambient occlusion.

PC Performance: Scalability and Upscaling Options

PC players enjoy complete control over KCD2's visuals. Upscaling is optional, with support for FSR and DLSS. However, XeSS, sharpening options, and frame generation are absent. Despite CryEngine's performance focus, running KCD2 at 4K with maximum settings will demand a powerful GPU. The game offers five quality presets (low, medium, high, ultra, and experimental) to cater to diverse hardware configurations. Warhorse Studios provides a comprehensive system requirements guide to assist players in optimizing their setups.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 launches February 4, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Visit our Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 page for more details.