Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2) promises strong performance across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms, showcasing impressive adaptability to various settings. This article delves into KCD2's performance across all platforms and customizable settings.

KCD2's Cross-Platform Performance: A CryEngine Triumph

Photorealistic Visuals Powered by CryEngine

Testing and reports indicate excellent performance for KCD2 across various platforms. PlayStation and Xbox consoles deliver smooth gameplay at both 30fps and 60fps, with the PS5 Pro leveraging its capabilities for enhanced graphical fidelity. KCD2's photorealistic rendering, a rarity due to its use of CryTek's CryEngine, sets it apart.

Warhorse Studios' continued use of CryEngine, following KCD1, leverages their existing expertise. This familiarity allows them to refine and expand upon the engine's features for the sequel. PC Gamer highlights CryEngine's unique approach, employing old-school rendering techniques—simpler shaders and lighting—prioritizing performance.

Despite this, KCD2 achieves photorealism through physically based materials. Eurogamer notes that CryEngine's SVOGI (sparse voxel octree global illumination) convincingly simulates indirect light, resulting in realistic lighting effects on torches, metal reflections, and other in-game elements.

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 is limited to 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, boasting increased foliage density and improved shadow casting, particularly noticeable in outdoor environments. Ambient occlusion is also enhanced. The PS5 Pro further elevates these improvements, adding sharper visuals, superior ambient occlusion, higher object quality, and a significant overall image quality boost.

PC: Upscaling is Player's Choice

True to PC tradition, KCD2's upscaling is entirely optional, allowing players to fine-tune settings for optimal performance. PC Gamer points out the limited upscaling options: FSR and DLSS for lower-resolution rendering. XeSS, sharpening, and frame generation are absent.

Despite CryEngine's performance focus, running KCD2 at 4K with maximum settings will still demand significant GPU power. However, the game's high scalability, with five quality presets (low, medium, high, ultra, and experimental), ensures accessibility for a wide range of PC configurations.

KCD2 provides a detailed system readiness guide, covering specifications, CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage requirements, ensuring players are well-informed before launching the game.

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.