Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2) promises strong performance across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms, showcasing impressive adaptability across various settings. This article delves into KCD2's performance characteristics on each platform and its customizable settings.
KCD2's Cross-Platform Performance: A CryEngine Triumph
Photorealism Powered by CryEngine
Extensive testing indicates excellent performance for KCD2 on all platforms. PlayStation and Xbox consoles deliver smooth gameplay at both 30fps and 60fps, with the PS5 Pro leveraging its advanced capabilities for enhanced visuals. KCD2's photorealistic rendering, a rarity due to its reliance on CryTek's CryEngine, sets it apart.
Warhorse Studios' continued use of CryEngine, following KCD1, leverages their existing expertise. This familiarity allows for focused feature enhancements in the sequel. PC Gamer highlights CryEngine's unique approach: old-school rendering prioritizing performance over complex shaders and lighting effects.
Despite this, KCD2 achieves photorealism through physically based materials. Eurogamer notes that CryEngine's SVOGI (sparse voxel octree global illumination) convincingly simulates indirect light, realistically portraying light interactions with objects like torches and metallic surfaces.
Console Options: Fidelity vs. Performance
PS5 and Xbox Series X offer two modes: a 30fps fidelity mode at 1440p and a 60fps performance mode at 1080p. Xbox Series S exclusively features the fidelity mode. The PS5 Pro runs at a native 60fps at 1296p, upscaled to 4K using PSSR.
Fidelity mode enhances visuals on PS5 and Xbox Series X, featuring increased foliage detail and improved shadow casting. The PS5 Pro elevates these improvements further, adding sharper visuals, superior ambient occlusion, enhanced object quality, and overall image fidelity.
PC: Customizable Upscaling
True to PC tradition, KCD2 offers fully customizable upscaling options. PC Gamer notes limited upscaling choices—FSR and DLSS—for rendering from lower resolutions. XeSS, sharpening, and frame generation are absent.
Despite CryEngine's performance focus, KCD2 remains demanding, particularly at 4K with maximum settings. However, its highly scalable graphics provide five quality presets (low, medium, high, ultra, and experimental) to optimize performance for various PC configurations.
A comprehensive system readiness guide is available, detailing CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage requirements to ensure optimal gameplay.
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.
