According to Warhorse Studios’ public relations manager, focusing on the Xbox Series S version of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 actually gave a boost to its development on other platforms.
During a chat on the Iron Lords Podcast, Tobias Stolz-Zwilling of Warhorse Studios mentioned that "The optimizations for the Xbox Series S helped greatly [for] other platforms." He explained that working with the Series S meant getting creative with coding, which ultimately improved the game overall.
While Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 uses Crytek’s CryEngine, Warhorse Studios has taken extensive liberties with the engine to accommodate its vast medieval open-world design, complete with simulation elements.
On the Series S, the game runs in a single mode at 30 frames per second (FPS), whereas on the Series X and PlayStation 5, players can choose between 30 FPS quality and 60 FPS performance modes, with a few extra tweaks reserved for PlayStation 5 Pro.
Xbox Series S: A Double-Edged Sword
Even years after its introduction, Xbox Series S continues to be a hot topic among developers. Some see the lower-powered console as a limitation, while others view it as an opportunity to innovate with visual modes.
For instance, Baldur’s Gate 3 launched in December 2023 without split-screen capability on Xbox Series S. Over time, Larian Studios was able to introduce this feature as their team continued optimizing, bringing split-screen to Microsoft’s budget-friendly console with the upcoming Patch 8.
Things aren’t much different at Warhorse Studios. They aren’t the only ones finding the Xbox Series S version contributing positively to the development of the game as a whole. Developers of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl at GSC Game World, for example, also commented on the Xbox Series S challenges. They discovered that by maximizing system content on the Series S, they could enhance optimization for the PC version too.
Although I haven’t personally played Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, it’s garnering positive feedback from many in the gaming community. Contributor Brendan Lowry praises its immersive open world and the many varied quests that fill your journal. He describes it as having everything a Kingdom Come fan could wish for: engaging combat, a captivating story, and outstanding presentation.
Currently, you can dive into Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Windows PC.
