Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Consoles Optimized for Performance

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

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2) promises impressive performance across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms. Extensive testing reveals smooth gameplay with adaptable settings. Let's explore the performance details across all platforms and customizable options.

CryEngine: Photorealism Meets Performance

KCD2 leverages CryEngine, a choice driven by developer Warhorse Studios' familiarity, enabling them to refine and expand upon the engine's capabilities. Unlike some modern engines, CryEngine prioritizes performance through a more traditional rendering approach. This translates to fewer shaders and simpler lighting, yet KCD2 achieves striking photorealism using physically-based materials. Eurogamer highlights CryEngine's Sparse Voxel Octree Global Illumination (SVOGI) as key to realistic indirect lighting effects, enhancing the visual impact of light sources and reflections.

Console Performance Modes

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 provides a single 60fps mode at 1296p, upscaled to 4K using PSSR. Fidelity mode enhances visuals on PS5 and Xbox Series X with increased foliage detail and improved shadow rendering, particularly noticeable in outdoor environments. The PS5 Pro elevates visuals further, boasting sharper imagery, enhanced ambient occlusion, superior object quality, and overall image fidelity.

PC: Customizable Upscaling and Quality Presets

PC players enjoy complete control over upscaling, with options limited to FSR and DLSS. XeSS, sharpening, and frame generation are absent. Despite CryEngine's performance focus, running KCD2 at 4K with maximum settings will demand significant GPU power. Fortunately, the game offers five scalable quality presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra, Experimental) to optimize performance for diverse PC configurations. Warhorse Studios provides a comprehensive guide to help players assess their system specifications and prepare for 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.