Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2) promises strong performance across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms, showcasing impressive adaptability across various settings. This article details KCD2's performance capabilities on different systems and customizable options.
KCD2's Cross-Platform Performance: A CryEngine Triumph
Multiple sources report excellent performance for KCD2. PlayStation and Xbox consoles deliver smooth gameplay at both 30fps and 60fps, with the PS5 Pro leveraging its advanced capabilities for enhanced visuals. The game's photorealistic rendering, a standout feature achieved using CryTek's CryEngine, sets it apart from many competitors.
Warhorse Studios' continued use of CryEngine, also employed in the first title (KCD1), allows for familiar engine optimization and feature expansion. PC Gamer highlights CryEngine's unique "old-school" rendering approach – prioritizing performance through simpler shaders and lighting – while still achieving photorealism via physically based materials. Eurogamer notes the effectiveness of CryEngine's SVOGI (sparse voxel octree global illumination) in creating realistic indirect lighting effects.
Console Performance Modes: 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 with increased foliage detail and improved shadow casting. The PS5 Pro elevates these improvements further, adding sharper visuals, enhanced ambient occlusion, and superior object quality.
PC: Customizable Upscaling and Quality Presets
PC players enjoy complete control over upscaling, with options limited to FSR and DLSS. XeSS, sharpening tools, and frame generation are absent. Despite CryEngine's performance focus, KCD2 demands significant GPU resources at 4K maximum settings. However, five quality presets (low, medium, high, ultra, experimental) allow for extensive customization to match individual PC capabilities.
KCD2 provides a comprehensive system check guide, 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.
