Kingdom Come: Deliverance next-gen update review – now it looks as epic as it feels

Kingdom Come: Deliverance next-gen update review – now it looks as epic as it feels Martina Andretta Published February 17, 2026 1:00am Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Kingdom Come: Deliverance – it now looks a lot better than you remember (Warhorse Studios/Deep Silver/Saber Interactive)

Henry of Skalitz returns in a enchanced version of the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance, that offers some major technical improvements.

A year after the release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Warhorse Studios and Deep Silver have shadow-dropped a next gen version of Kingdom Come: Deliverance for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. 

This is fantastic news for console players, especially as existing PlayStation 4 and Xbox One owners can upgrade for free.

I first played Kingdom Come: Deliverance in 2023, five years after its original launch. At the time, it was recommended as an indie gem, truly immersive but slightly buggy, locked at a stuttering 30 FPS. I have spent enough time on Reddit to know that performance issues have deterred many new players from trying it but this enhanced update, developed in collaboration with Saber Interactive, brings 4K visuals and a silky smooth 60 FPS to the latest consoles.

It’s safe to say that, 227 hours later, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is one of my favourite role-playing games, making this the perfect excuse to replay it. Here are three reasons why you should consider jumping in – or returning – in 2026.

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Medieval Bohemia is even more beautiful

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has become quite well known for its realistic forests and historically accurate settings, as Warhorse in-house historical consultant told me. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance, that realism was often buried under blurry textures and distracting pop-in. On consoles, the game is now much closer to the *ultra* PC settings, with high-resolution textures across environments and character models.

The draw distance seems to have been pushed back too, meaning you can actually see villages appearing on the horizon without the world flickering into existence. The lighting in the dense Bohemian woods is also much improved – perfect for those who spent the last year obsessed with the sequel’s visuals.

Sorry, it’s not the beloved Pebbles (Picture: Martina Andretta/Warhorse Studios/Saber Interactive)

The foliage also benefits from the upgrade, with thicker vegetation and sharper details all around, although the impenetrable bushes remain the real final boss of the whole franchise.

As soon as I started a new game and revisited Skalitz, I was reminded of how vibrant and colourful this medieval open world is — as well as how unforgiving, given that I died before the prologue finished.

Welcome to Hardcore Mode – where sometimes you may die before even beginning (Picture: Martina Andretta/Warhorse Studios/Saber Interactive)

60 FPS is a game-changer for combat

If you played Kingdom Come: Deliverance on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, you’ll remember the combat feeling like trying to swing a sledgehammer underwater at times. At a locked 30 FPS, the game’s intricate directional swordplay was often more frustrating than fun, especially during busier encounters.

The next gen update brings 60 FPS to consoles, doubling the frame rate on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and it transforms the experience. Parrying feels reactive rather than lucky, and ‘Master Strikes’ actually feel like a test of skill instead of a battle with input lag. Replaying with the current settings soon made me realise that while the combat is stressful, the technical challenges made this so much worse.

The increased frame rate also makes one-on-one duels far more readable, with clearer enemy animations and easier-to-track telegraphing of attacks. In a combat system built around timing, stamina management and directional inputs, that extra responsiveness makes a measurable difference.

I was soon reminded that, like in real life, often the best option is to run away (Picture: Warhorse Studios/Saber Interactive)

Load times are also reduced, meaning fewer interruptions between deaths, fast travel points, and major story beats. Moving between interiors and open countryside is noticeably quicker, keeping the pace consistent.

For a historically grounded role-player that demands patience (a lot of it), the technical upgrade removes some friction without compromising its deliberate design.

The ultimate prequel for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 fans

If you’re one of the five million people who jumped into the series with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 over the last year, the original may still be sitting on your ‘to play’ list. This update removes any excuse not to go back to the original game, as despite its age it now looks and plays much more like a modern game.

The two games tell one continuous story, which is why I always recommend playing them in order, just like you would with a TV series. Jumping into Kingdom Come: Deliverance after playing the second chapter feels like experiencing a high-definition origin story.

From a personal perspective, it was surprisingly moving to see Martin again, now a legend in the game’s lore, particularly after The Legacy of the Forge DLC.

If you are a Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 player, you likely met Henry as a confident, capable warrior relied upon by many. Restarting Kingdom Come: Deliverance, I am reminded that he was really just a naïve, young lad living a simple life – getting into mischief with his friends, frequenting the tavern and sleeping in until late, much to his parents’ frustration.

I think Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a must-play before the sequel (Picture: Warhorse Studios/Saber Interactive)

During the first hour of the game, before the world opens up in ways he can’t imagine, Henry voices a simple ambition: ‘I don’t want to rot in this hole forever. I feel like I don’t belong here. I want to live and see the world.’

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Minor spoilers ahead, but the line hits differently when you know how quickly that world expands – and how much it costs him. What begins as teenage frustration evolves into something far heavier, reshaping Henry’s ambitions and sense of belonging. And in a way, you are able to make that call throughout the series, but especially at the end of the second game. This is what I love the most about role-playing games and what, in my opinion, puts this franchise a step above most games on the market.

That arc – from reckless blacksmith’s son to battle-hardened knight – delivers a real sense of achievement and gives the series its emotional weight.

The textures are vastly improved (Picture: Warhorse Studios/Saber Interactive)

Obviously, this is a technical upgrade rather than a full remaster. I would have welcomed something extra — a new quest, perhaps — but that’s my greed speaking. The game will still feel dated compared to Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, particularly in its interface design, and it remains rough around the edges, with some uneven voice-acting. But this enhanced edition feels far more accessible and modern than it did at launch.

Whether you’re a newcomer who just finished the sequel or a veteran looking for an excuse to return to Skalitz, there has never been a better time to step into Henry’s boots. If you do, please get in touch, I would love to know your favourite quest or storyline.

How much does the new version of Kingdom Come: Deliverance cost?

If you already own the game, the update is free. This includes the standard version and all the expansions.

For new players, the standard game is £24.99 on the PlayStation and Xbox stores, and it’s also available to play, for no additional charge, to all Game Pass subscribers.

But the best deal available is the Kingdom Come: Deliverance Saga Bundle on PlayStation for only £43.99, versus £87.99 on Xbox. This includes the entire series, with all DLC for both games.

And, for the collectors, a Kingdom Come: Deliverance Royal Edition will be released as a physical SKU from May 15. 

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