Kingdom Come: Deliverance Next-Gen Update Review: Now It Looks as Epic as It Feels
Henry of Skalitz makes a triumphant return in an enhanced version of the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance, delivering significant technical improvements that elevate the gaming experience. A year after the launch of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Warhorse Studios and Deep Silver have quietly released a next-generation update for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. This announcement is excellent news for console players, especially since existing PlayStation 4 and Xbox One owners can upgrade at no additional cost.
Medieval Bohemia Is Even More Beautiful
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has gained recognition for its realistic forests and historically accurate settings, as noted by Warhorse's in-house historical consultant. In the original game, that realism was often obscured by blurry textures and distracting pop-in effects. On next-gen consoles, the game now closely matches the ultra settings available on PC, featuring high-resolution textures across environments and character models. The draw distance has been extended, allowing villages to appear on the horizon without flickering into view.
The lighting in the dense Bohemian woods has also seen substantial improvements, perfect for fans who spent the past year admiring the sequel's visuals. Foliage benefits from the upgrade, with thicker vegetation and sharper details throughout, though the impenetrable bushes remain a challenging obstacle in the franchise. Starting a new game and revisiting Skalitz reminds players of the vibrant, colorful medieval open world, as well as its unforgiving nature, exemplified by dying before the prologue concludes.
60 FPS Is a Game-Changer for Combat
If you experienced Kingdom Come: Deliverance on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, you might recall combat feeling sluggish, akin to swinging a sledgehammer underwater. At a locked 30 FPS, the intricate directional swordplay often proved more frustrating than enjoyable, particularly during intense encounters. The next-gen update introduces 60 FPS to consoles, doubling the frame rate on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and it fundamentally transforms the gameplay.
Parrying becomes reactive rather than reliant on luck, and Master Strikes feel like a genuine test of skill instead of a struggle with input lag. Replaying with the updated settings highlights how technical challenges previously exacerbated the stress of combat. The increased frame rate enhances one-on-one duels, making enemy animations clearer and attack telegraphing easier to track. In a combat system centered on timing, stamina management, and directional inputs, this added responsiveness makes a noticeable difference.
Load times are also reduced, minimizing interruptions between deaths, fast travel points, and major story beats. Transitioning between interiors and open countryside is noticeably quicker, maintaining a consistent pace. For a historically grounded role-playing game that demands patience, the technical upgrade reduces friction without compromising its deliberate design.
The Ultimate Prequel for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Fans
If you are among the five million players who joined the series with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 over the last year, the original game might still be on your to-play list. This update eliminates any excuse not to revisit the original, as it now looks and plays much more like a modern title despite its age. The two games tell a continuous story, making it advisable to play them in order, similar to watching a TV series.
Jumping into Kingdom Come: Deliverance after experiencing the sequel feels like embarking on a high-definition origin story. From a personal perspective, it is surprisingly moving to encounter Martin again, now a legend in the game's lore, especially after The Legacy of the Forge DLC. If you played Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, you likely met Henry as a confident, capable warrior relied upon by many. Restarting the original game reminds players that he was once a naive young lad living a simple life, getting into mischief with friends, frequenting the tavern, and sleeping late, much to his parents' frustration.
During the first hour, before the world opens up in unimaginable ways, Henry expresses a simple ambition: 'I don't want to rot in this hole forever. I feel like I don't belong here. I want to live and see the world.' This line resonates differently when you know how quickly that world expands and the costs involved. What begins as teenage frustration evolves into something far heavier, reshaping Henry's ambitions and sense of belonging. This narrative arc, from reckless blacksmith's son to battle-hardened knight, delivers a profound sense of achievement and emotional weight, setting the franchise apart from many others on the market.
Technical Upgrade Details and Pricing
This is a technical upgrade rather than a full remaster. While additional content like a new quest would have been welcome, the game still feels somewhat dated compared to Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, particularly in interface design, and retains some rough edges, such as uneven voice-acting. However, this enhanced edition is far more accessible and modern than the original launch version.
For existing owners, the update is free, including the standard version and all expansions. New players can purchase the standard game for £24.99 on PlayStation and Xbox stores, and it is also available at no extra charge for Game Pass subscribers. The best deal is the Kingdom Come: Deliverance Saga Bundle on PlayStation for £43.99, compared to £87.99 on Xbox, which includes the entire series with all DLC for both games. Collectors can look forward to a Kingdom Come: Deliverance Royal Edition physical release starting May 15.
Whether you are a newcomer who just finished the sequel or a veteran seeking a reason to return to Skalitz, there has never been a better time to step into Henry's boots. Share your favorite quest or storyline to engage with the community.
