Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is poised to deliver a strong performance across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms, offering players a range of customizable settings to optimize their experience. Read on to explore the performance details across all platforms and discover the tweakable settings.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Performance: A Cross-Platform Analysis
Photorealistic Detail with CryEngine
Early tests and reports paint a positive picture of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's (KCD2) performance. PlayStation and Xbox consoles reportedly run the game smoothly, providing both 30fps and 60fps options. The PS5 Pro, in particular, seems to leverage its capabilities for enhanced graphical fidelity. KCD2's unique photorealistic rendering, achieved using CryTek's CryEngine, sets it apart from many other titles.
Warhorse Studios' continued use of CryEngine, following its success with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 1 (KCD1), allows the team to build upon their existing expertise. PC Gamer highlights CryEngine's distinctive approach to rendering—a focus on performance through a more basic, yet effective, lighting and shader system.
Despite this "old-school" approach, KCD2 achieves photorealism through the use of physically based materials. Eurogamer notes the effectiveness of CryEngine's sparse voxel octree global illumination (SVOGI) in creating realistic indirect lighting, enhancing the visual impact of elements like torchlight and metallic reflections.
PlayStation and Xbox Console Options: 30 FPS and 60 FPS Modes
PS5 and Xbox Series X will offer two modes: a Fidelity mode (30fps at 1440p) prioritizing visual detail, and a Performance mode (60fps at 1080p) emphasizing smoother gameplay. Xbox Series S players will only have access to Fidelity mode. Conversely, the PS5 Pro will run at a native 60fps at 1296p, upscaled to 4K using PSSR.
Fidelity mode enhances visuals on PS5 and Xbox Series X, featuring increased foliage density and improved shadow casting. The PS5 Pro further refines these improvements, delivering sharper visuals, enhanced ambient occlusion, superior object quality, and an overall boost to image quality.
PC Upscaling: Fully Customizable
True to PC gaming tradition, KCD2 offers complete control over upscaling. PC Gamer indicates that while options are limited to FSR and DLSS, players have the flexibility to tailor settings to their hardware. XeSS (Intel), sharpening options, and frame generation are not included.
Despite CryEngine's performance focus, running KCD2 at 4K with maximum settings will still demand a powerful GPU. However, the game's highly scalable graphics offer five quality presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra, and Experimental) to ensure a playable experience across a wide range of PC configurations.
An in-depth guide is available to help players prepare their systems, covering specifications, CPU, RAM, GPU, storage requirements, and other essential pre-game considerations.
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.
