Well guys, I’ve just finished the main story earlier this week and wanted to give myself a few days to digest the experience. After doing so and really reflecting back, I started writing down my opinion in the form of a larger than expected review.
The goal of this thread is to incite some discussion, for players to share their opinions and overall perceptions of the game, and just generally be a place for spoiler filled chatter for those who have completed the main story.
So, here goes…
In all its buggy texture popping glory, this game still manages to shine.
Is KCD perfect, far from it. Does it at times feel rushed and unfinished, absolutely it does. Does that detract from what’s been created here, in some ways and at critical times yes… But I still can’t help but feel a sense of overwhelming positivity and joy. The 80-90 odd hours I’ve spent with the story and in the game world itself to date have been so utterly refreshing and at moments completely rewarding. KCD is proof that this story, and more importantly this genre as a whole (historical fiction) resolutely have a place in the modern day gaming market. This game should be seen as a milestone for many simply because of what it represents and hopefully what it spawns for future titles by developers far and wide.
KCD for me is at its best when it’s just you, your horse and the medieval Bohemian countryside. When it kind of gets out of its own way and just lets you play and explore, go off hunting, tracking down bandits or killing Cumans. When it’s just you and the world, it is a beautiful and engaging experience.
If nothing else, I certainly want to see more of medieval Bohemia and potentially beyond. The possibilities that KCD opens up in terms of future story progression and where that will take Henry (along with the possibilities for other stories and settings) presents as a genuinely exciting prospect. I’ve completely bought into the tale *regardless of the cliché’s, and most definitely want to see where it goes.
Just on our boy Henry. He’s a very relatable and charming *in a dorky kind of way character, who you can’t help but like. Without a doubt that’s helped KCD feel grounded. There are some strong side characters too, Sir Radzig was well done, but I think Matthew Wolf’s performance as Henry’s father is most certainly the stand out for me. The little we got to see of him created some of the most real and heartfelt moments of the entire game. Future instalments need more of this quality, not only of writing, but in terms of performance and delivery as well.
In saying that, I can’t help but feel that much of the overall characterization was underdone. Half-baked in a way… take the relationship with Theresa for example. This was abruptly cut short. And not in any natural or believable way. Which was frustrating and simply was one example of where the game falls down and feels unfinished. Consistency is what’s required here. Maybe we’ll see these elements improved and finished in the form of additional content.
Nominally, we were sold on the notion of realism and certain historical accuracies, but it seems that due to either time, budget or technical capability pressures much of that real potential is actually missing from the final game. Sure there’s survival elements, to a point. And yes we can’t save in the “real world”, thus enter the notion of Saviour Schnapps! But where is the line in the sand, how was the delineation made between what is real enough for KCD and what doesn’t matter. Like a teleporting horse, or the fact that people will hate you if you murder someone without any witnesses just because the system can’t handle the outcome in a more refined manner…
Keeping with the AI as an example, which at times can be downright awful. The whole morality system especially around action and consequence is deeply flawed and again feels like major shortcuts have been taken to make it on the surface at least appear to be doing what was intended. It doesn’t take long before you realise that it’s the same as those faulty systems that have come before it. Systems that Dan Vavra himself has not been afraid to be extremely vocal about in the past. Search Dan Vavra and Skyrim and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
This leads me onto one major plot point that I think needs mentioning. Throughout the entire development lifecycle and build up to release, we were constantly reminded that KCD was a tale about ‘a nobody’, a regular run of the mill son of a blacksmith. It was part of what Warhorse seemingly prided themselves on. This idea of not adhering to common fantasy fiction type cliché’s or tropes. You’re not the saviour or the chosen one to paraphrase Dan Vavra’s words. Perhaps this was all misdirection on Warhorse’s part… and yet even if it was, I still can’t help but feel a little aggrieved. For as it turns out, Henry is actually the bastard son of a minor Bohemian noble. Oh, so he’s not ‘a nobody’ after-all.
In fact, the way things are shaping up, he’ll more than likely get formally acknowledged as Sir Radzig’s son and rightful heir. Effectively becoming Sir Henry of Skalitz. Which to me is quite a stretch from his humble son of a blacksmith beginnings don’t you think?
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good bastard 
But I simply thought (based on WH’s own commentary) that KCD was going to be different… unique in its approach to break from the mould of the common or stereotypical overused cliché’s. And yet, here we are… I could go on, about how the reveal itself and Henry’s general lack of emotion or how easily he acknowledged Sir Radzig as #SirDadzig detracted for me from the seriousness of the moment and what it should’ve represented for this young man… but that’s probably all unnecessary at this point. It wasn’t until the end of the game that he actually took stock of what it all meant. By that stage it just seemed a little too contrived.
As I said above though, I really liked Radzig’s character, I think he and Henry had a good dynamic… and I’m all in on the story to see where it takes us. But I did just find the whole notion a little bit contradictory in a way.
Generally speaking the lack of finish and overall polish is certainly evident. Game breaking bugs popping up when you least expect them. The technical difficulties and moments like those I describe above occur reasonably frequently. All of which serves to pull you out of the game world and break the otherwise wonderful immersive experience. But as I said before, it’s all about context… I still really loved playing this game because I understood how it came to be and am still to this day amazed at how far Warhorse have come and what they’ve managed to achieve. That achievement cannot be overstated.
I guess in a way KCD is all about compromise. The developers had to make certain compromises, which translates to us as players having to do the same. But knowing the journey, the context around how this game came to be and having followed its progression for years; I was happy to meet them half way. And I think that’s very important when you’re playing this game. Without expectations being set accordingly, then it’s easy to understand how many customers have felt slightly burned by their experiences.
Much of that burden of responsibility falls squarely on Deep Silvers shoulders for how the final marketing campaign and distribution was handled. But Warhorse is in no way an innocent bystander to those events. Many gamers who came across KCD without context, have no doubt felt burnt. I’ve read a tonne of reviews and comments, and the underlying negative tone is one of feeling mislead. Which is a shame given how largely open and honest Warhorse were with their backers throughout the entire life-cycle of development through to release. I guess those that did their research, had context and their expectations set accordingly, can’t help but enjoy the shit out of this game. Even with it’s faults, and at times even because of them. It just serves to make it that much more endearing and real.
I guess in summary, to enjoy KCD for me means not sweating the small stuff. To taking a step back and seeing the game for all of the potential it has. I genuinely hope that the promise of what this game represents can one day truly and fully be realised. And I wish Warhorse all the best for their future endeavours. KCD has laid a pretty solid foundation, and symbolises in my mind an incredible beginning in the life of a new studio.
Pros:
The artwork, codex entries, the maps and general artistic direction are all world class. The musical score is fantastic, the combat in a one-on-one duelling scenario is fun and on occasion challenging… The environment is beautifully crafted, and the clothing layering system offers a lot of cool variety. The historical setting is new, different and engaging. And the genre has amazing potential.
Cons:
Technical performance issues (bugs, glitches and optimisation). Inconsistent quality of writing / direction (some great writing, coupled with some seemingly forced and poor writing). Potential pacing issues (Monastery questline is a prime example). Inconsistent quality of voice acting and delivery. A general feeling of being unfinished e.g. the abruptness of how the game ends.
Overall Rating
7.5 / 10
)