In today’s evolving world of RPGs, combat systems can vary tremendously, as showcased by games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Skyrim. Among these, first-person RPGs like Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 stand out for their immersive combat experiences, offering players the chance to truly step into the protagonist’s role. While both these titles use a first-person perspective, their combat styles differ significantly, demonstrating that even games within the same genre can provide distinctly different experiences.
Though Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 both embrace first-person combat, that’s where their similarities largely end. Obsidian’s Avowed immerses players in the fantastical realm of Eora, characterized by distinct zones ripe for exploration. On the other hand, Warhorse Studios’ Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 offers an open-world experience set in medieval Bohemia, grounded in historical realism. This contrast in settings influences how each game’s combat unfolds, requiring players to adopt different tactical approaches despite the shared viewpoint.
Avowed’s combat approach is akin to an arcade shooter, prioritizing speed and simplicity in its mechanics. Players need not fret about ammunition for ranged weapons and can swiftly dodge enemy strikes, propelling the pace of encounters closer to Doom’s high-octane style than Skyrim’s. Despite this rapid tempo, Avowed maintains depth with its diverse weapons and skill trees, providing variety and allowing players to tailor their experience, keeping that crucial RPG essence alive.
In both Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, players wield familiar armaments like swords, axes, maces, and bows. However, Avowed’s magical elements transform the battlefield dynamics significantly. Even without heavily investing in the Wizard skill tree, the protagonist’s inherent Godlike abilities often encourage the use of magic. This inclusion fundamentally alters combat, enabling players to effortlessly manage multiple foes and reinforcing Avowed’s arcade-like gameplay.
Conversely, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 demands a more thoughtful approach, slowing combat to a deliberate pace where strategy reigns supreme. Gamers transitioning from Avowed might find this shift challenging, as they navigate the meticulous combat style of KCD2. Rather than frenetic action, patience becomes a virtue, with battles requiring precise timing and strategic weapon placement against foes. This slow-down amplifies the difficulty of KCD2’s encounters, forcing players to choose their battles wisely. Even a simple clash with roadside bandits can become daunting if approached unprepared.
In examining Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, it’s clear neither combat system is superior; instead, they highlight the broad spectrum of possibilities within first-person RPG combat. Although The Elder Scrolls series often serves as a benchmark for the genre, these two titles illustrate the diversity in gameplay experiences first-person RPGs can offer. By charting different courses, Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 pave the way for future games to explore unique takes on this engaging style of combat.
