Eight years after its original release, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is back in the spotlight. Thanks to its arrival as a native application on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, Warhorse Studios' medieval RPG, which had been stuck in backward compatibility, finally receives a version designed for the current generation of consoles, with a strong emphasis on the technical aspects but without changing the core gameplay.
The move comes at the height of the saga's popularity, following the success of its sequelAnd it functions almost like a debt repaid to console gamers: Clear graphical improvements, performance far superior to PS4 and Xbox One And a free upgrade for those who already owned the title on the previous generation. It's not a remake or a deep remaster, but it is the most solid way to explore medieval Bohemia on current-generation consoles.
A native version for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S is long overdue
Warhorse Studios has confirmed that Kingdom Come: Deliverance on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S should not be understood as a remake or remasterbut rather as an enhanced native edition that brings the graphics options of a PC at Ultra quality to consoles. Until now, the new Sony and Microsoft consoles were limited to running the PS4 and Xbox One versions via backward compatibility, with limited resolution and inconsistent performance.
With this new next-generation version, the game now works with up to 4K resolution and a 60 frames per second targetWarhorse uses AMD FSR as a scaling and antialiasing techniqueAlthough the study hasn't specified the exact version it uses, the visual leap is evident compared to the 1080p of the legacy version on PS5 or the 1440p offered by the Xbox One X edition on Series X/S.
On paper they talk about 4K and 60 FPS, but in practice The frame rate is not completely stableMeasurements and tests on the console generally place performance between 45 and 60 FPS, with occasional drops in particularly demanding areas, such as large-scale sieges or the initial section in Skalice. Even so, the result is far from the drops to just over 20 FPS that many will remember from the previous generation.
The improvement isn't limited to resolution. Warhorse has incorporated a new high-resolution texture packwhich can be activated from the options menu, and has adjusted the lighting to more closely resemble what's seen on PC. The draw distance indirectly benefits from the increased resolution and texture processing, while FSR helps to stabilize the overall sharpness of the image, with a slightly softer appearance in elements such as vegetation when the camera is in motion.
On consoles, though. There is no support for 120Hz or native HDRAnd there's still no photo mode. The implemented volumetric lighting comes from the standard PC version, at a medium setting, which is noticeable in the more pronounced light beams and a slightly more polished interior atmosphere. It doesn't reach the level of the sequel in this area, but the improvement over the 2018 original is clear.
Graphical improvements: 4K textures, revised lighting, and fewer bugs
The main appeal of this native edition lies in its appearance. By activating the new texture pack, The materials show a much higher level of detail Compared to the original release: saddle leather, rocks, fabrics, and props gain definition and consistency with the game's art style. Character faces and models feature more detail in hair, wrinkles, and clothing, although the animations and facial capture betray that this is still a 2018 title.
The lighting also gets a boost. Warhorse hasn't touted major innovations in this area, but in practice... The interiors benefit from a more diffused and believable lightwith beams that filter through windows and cracks more convincingly than on last-generation consoles. There are no changes to the core technology—we're not talking about a dynamic system comparable to that of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2—but there is a more visually appealing and consistent implementation.
Regarding stability, the Czech study states that Efforts have been made to minimize the most annoying flaws that accompanied the title in its first months of life. The impressions on PS5 and Xbox Series point to a clearly more polished experience, without serious bugs that block missions or force loading old saves, something that did happen in the original console launch.
The engine still shows some limitations: some secondary animations remain somewhat stiff, lip-syncing doesn't always match the voices, and there are small visual details that betray its age. Even so, the combination of 4K resolution, improved textures, and a much higher framerate It makes 15th-century Bohemia look more vibrant and does more justice to Warhorse's ambitious original design.
To complete the package, the next-generation version also integrates the Deep Silver Account, which centralizes progress and community options, and additional graphics settings on PC for those who want to keep pushing the Ultra settings on powerful computers.
Free upgrade, Game Pass, and new Royal editions
One of the aspects most praised by players is the distribution policy. Warhorse and Deep Silver have confirmed that The next-gen upgrade is free for all users who own the game on PS4 or Xbox OneSimply download the new native app on PS5 or Xbox Series X/S to access the visual and performance improvements without paying again.
In addition, the updated version also It is being added to the Game Pass catalog.This allows subscribers to enjoy the next-gen edition at no extra cost to their monthly fee. In some cases, it's even possible to transfer save data between generations, making it easier for those who left the story unfinished in the previous generation to pick it up where they left off, now with improved performance.
For new players, Warhorse has put on sale Two different editions of Kingdom Come: Deliverance on the current generationThe Standard Edition includes the base game for €29,99, while the Royal Edition, for €39,99, includes all released downloadable content: Treasures of the Past, From the Ashes, The Amorous Adventures of Bold Sir Hans Capon, Band of Bastards, and A Woman's Lot. In some stores and digital platforms, the PS4 Royal Edition has been heavily discounted, allowing you to buy it cheaply and still benefit from the free upgrade.
Warhorse and Deep Silver have also prepared joint packages such as Kingdom Come: Deliverance SagaThis bundle includes the Royal Edition of the first game and its sequel, with all DLC included, at a higher price point aimed at those who want to fully immerse themselves in Henry's story. In Europe, these releases coincide with the anniversary celebration of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which has sold over five million copies and garnered significant acclaim from both the press and players.
In terms of timing, the company has opted for a virtually immediate launch: The release of the native version coincides with the anniversary of the original.Eight years after its initial release on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, the game was expanded in 2024 with a Nintendo Switch version, which remains separate from this update focused on more powerful hardware.
Languages, voices, and an unfinished task with Spanish
Along with the technical leap, the new generation edition incorporates new languages ​​in both voices and textsWarhorse has added Czech voice acting—the studio's original language and the language of the game's historical context—and Japanese, and has expanded the localization with subtitles and interface in Turkish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Ukrainian. This is an effort to open the RPG to more international markets, especially in Eastern Europe and Asia.
However, for the Spanish players, there is still a thorn in their side: Kingdom Come: Deliverance still lacks a Spanish dubAlthough its sequel was fully localized with Castilian Spanish voice acting, receiving high praise from both critics and the community, the first game maintains a combination of translated text and English or other available language voice acting, something many consider a missed opportunity to bring it up to par with the second title in the series.
In Latin America the situation is similar: There is no specific dubbing for the Latin American marketTherefore, both in Spain and the rest of the Spanish-speaking world, players must continue to rely on subtitles. For an RPG so full of dialogue and narrative cutscenes, subtitles would have been a particularly welcome addition, but Warhorse has chosen to focus its resources on the technical aspects and additional languages ​​other than Spanish.
Even so, the fact of having new voices, especially in Czech, It increases the feeling of historical authenticity For those who choose to play with the audio and text in their preferred language, the bohemian atmosphere gains nuance and could be an interesting option for European players interested in an experience as close as possible to the game's original context.
The same realistic medieval RPG: gameplay intact
In terms of gameplay, this update is deliberately conservative. Warhorse has reiterated on several occasions that There are no changes to mechanics, systems, or content.It's the same Kingdom Come: Deliverance from 2018, with its strengths, weaknesses, and unique pacing. The quest structure, combat design, NPC routines, and progression remain exactly as they were.
The game puts us in the shoes of Henry, son of a blacksmith from Skalicewhose life collapses after an attack that devastates her village. From there unfolds a story of revenge, personal growth, and loyalties in Bohemia in 1403, at the height of the Holy Roman Empire. The approach is distinctly realistic: There is no magic, dragons, or fantastic creaturesbut political conflicts, wars, intrigues and survival in a historical setting recreated with considerable care.
That commitment to realism permeates all the mechanics. Henry must eat, sleep, take care of your hygiene, and pay attention to your clothing and wounds.Breaking into other people's homes has consequences; stealing affects your reputation, and dialogue choices open or close avenues for completing missions. At the beginning, the protagonist can't even read, which is consistent with the social conditions of the time, so learning to read is part of the character's progression.
The combat system, in first person and based on attack and defense directions, He remains demanding and not given to easy spectacle.It's not a hack and slash, but rather a series of duels where timing, stamina, positioning, and equipment are crucial. This initial difficulty, combined with less polished controls than the sequel, might put some players off, especially in the first few hours, but it also provides a great sense of accomplishment once mastered.
The next-gen version doesn't alter these foundations, nor does it implement the combat improvements seen in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Some players would have preferred to see certain ideas from the sequel carried over to the original, but the studio opted to to preserve the experience as it was conceivedwith a simple technical facelift and without rebalancing the game or redesigning core systems.
Difficulty, duration, and additional content
Kingdom Come: Deliverance keeps its Two main difficulty levels: normal and extreme —the latter was added some time ago via a free update and remains in the native edition—. Even on normal difficulty, the game can be challenging if you don't embrace its slow and methodical approach. Taking advantage of all available tools and thoroughly understanding the game's rules is almost essential for smooth progress.
As you master the combat system, the use of social skills, and stealth, the curve becomes more manageableHowever, on the hardest difficulty setting, the game is clearly aimed at those seeking to experience the harsh realities of the Middle Ages firsthand. There are no major changes from what was already known, so veterans and newcomers alike will find the same challenge the title offered in 2018, now with fewer technical issues.
In terms of content, this is a sizable RPG. Just complete the main campaign. It can easily take around or exceed 70-80 hoursThis number increases depending on the interest shown in side quests, minigames, optional activities, and free exploration. It's a game designed for long, dedicated sessions, rather than quick, one-off games.
The Royal Edition, for its part, adds five downloadable content expansions These DLCs expand both the story and the gameplay possibilities: from rebuilding a village in From the Ashes to new storylines focused on secondary characters or the option of having a dog as a companion. For those who become hooked on the game, these DLCs offer dozens of additional hours of gameplay.
Adding the main campaign, side quests, and extra content, it's easy to see how the total Kingdom Come: Deliverance experience will easily exceed 100 hours. Combined with the free update and performance improvements on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, The relationship between playtime and price is quite competitive. within the current RPG market, especially in Europe, where the title already had a consolidated fan base.
This native edition of Kingdom Come: Deliverance It doesn't reinvent Warhorse's medieval RPG nor does it correct its most well-known gameplay flaws.But it does finally place it on a technical level befitting current-generation consoles. Those who enjoyed the game back in the day now have the option to revisit it with improved visuals and smoother gameplay, at no extra cost, and those who came to the series with the second installment finally find a gateway to the origins of Henry's story without having to endure the performance issues of the PS4 and Xbox One. Bohemian Rhapsody hasn't changed, but it looks and feels better suited to the current generation.
