Kingdom Come: Deliverance Next-Gen Update: PS5 & Xbox Series Nears PC Quality – Digital Foundry Review

Warhorse Studios has successfully achieved significant improvements for the console versions of Kingdom Come: Deliverance.

Recently, Digital Foundry experts conducted an in-depth analysis of the next-gen update for Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which was released earlier this year for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles.

According to the specialist, the graphical quality of KCD on consoles, especially when combined with the optional high-resolution texture pack, now closely matches the "ultra settings" found on PC. This significant leap is attributed to a substantially modified version of CryEngine, which has been better optimized for the capabilities of modern PlayStation and Xbox hardware. Key enhancements include improved CPU multithreading for smoother asset streaming and reduced stuttering during movement, alongside an updated rendering backend designed to leverage contemporary graphical APIs.

The Digital Foundry expert highly recommends utilizing this texture pack for the best visual experience, though they note it is unfortunately not available for the Xbox Series S.

Other notable improvements include the implementation of volumetric effects ported directly from the PC's "ultra settings." Light now streams through windows much more naturally and clearly, illuminating dust particles in the air with enhanced realism. Increased detail settings for foliage, various in-game objects, and non-player characters (NPCs) have also significantly elevated the overall visual quality of the game world. Despite these advancements, the developers haven't yet completely eliminated noticeable "object pop-in," although its occurrence has been considerably reduced.

The Digital Foundry specialist confirms that PC remains the preferred platform for players aiming to achieve native 4K resolution at a consistent 60 frames per second. Nevertheless, this next-gen update for Kingdom Come: Deliverance "excellently translates the best aspects of the PC version to consoles, significantly transforming the game." The expert concludes: "This update is highly recommended, especially for owners of displays with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support."