Kingdom Come 2 Impresses on Consoles

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

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2) promises strong performance across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms. Extensive testing reveals impressive results across various settings. Let's explore the performance details for each platform.

CryEngine's Photorealistic Prowess

KCD2 leverages CryEngine, known for its performance-oriented, "old-school" rendering techniques. While employing fewer shaders and simpler lighting than some competitors, CryEngine's focus on efficiency enables stunning photorealism. This is achieved through physically based materials and SVOGI (sparse voxel octree global illumination), resulting in realistic light interactions and impressive visual fidelity. Warhorse Studios' familiarity with CryEngine, used in the original KCD, facilitated enhanced features in the sequel.

Console Performance Modes

PS5 and Xbox Series X offer two modes:

• Fidelity Mode: 30fps at 1440p, prioritizing visual detail with enhanced foliage and shadows.
• Performance Mode: 60fps at 1080p, prioritizing frame rate for smoother gameplay.

Xbox Series S exclusively supports Fidelity Mode. The PS5 Pro runs at a native 60fps at 1296p, upscaled to 4K using PSSR, delivering superior visuals. Fidelity mode enhances ambient occlusion and overall scene quality, while the PS5 Pro further refines these elements, adding sharper details and improved object quality.

PC: Customizable Upscaling and Presets

PC players enjoy full control over upscaling, with options limited to FSR and DLSS (no XeSS or frame generation). Despite CryEngine's efficiency, high-end GPUs will be challenged at 4K maximum settings. Fortunately, KCD2 offers five quality presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra, Experimental) ensuring optimal performance across a wide range of hardware. A comprehensive system readiness guide is available to help players optimize 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 information.