Newbie

[Seekrt]

So, I just finished the first game. I thought I would hate it because of the combat system but finally I ended up loving it (not that I did not find any issues with how combat worked.).

Ok, so now the question is how does It stack up to the first. Is it pretty much the same or are there some fundamental differences?

Thanks for your time.

Edit: Typo

[Buttwheat]

I enjoy it. They changed combat a little bit but it's very similar, with a mouse the right button is now block instead of stab so that might throw you off for a minute. The story dovetails really well with were you leave off.

[emreyigit1967]

Glad you enjoyed it. I did too, and I played through KCD1 three or four times.

As far as I'm concerned, it stacks up pretty well. The mechanics are not that different, options have been expanded, and - the best as far as I'm concerned - you can prepare yourself for the main quest at your own pace.

[Seekrt]

Originally posted by Buttwheat:

I enjoy it. They changed combat a little bit but it's very similar, with a mouse the right button is now block instead of stab so that might throw you off for a minute. The story dovetails really well with were you leave off.

Funny, when I first started playing, I had the ingrained reflex of using the rmb to block. It took me a while to rewire my brain to use Q instead. Is there a way to stab at all now? I used to stab at the face a lot.

[Seekrt]

Originally posted by emreyigit1967:

Glad you enjoyed it. I did too, and I played through KCD1 three or four times.

As far as I'm concerned, it stacks up pretty well. The mechanics are not that different, options have been expanded, and - the best as far as I'm concerned - you can prepare yourself for the main quest at your own pace.

Sounds good.
Edit: I should have asked:
Do you start totally fresh or do you carry your perks from the first game?

[s.aitken88]

Originally posted by Seekrt:

Funny, when I first started playing, I had the ingrained reflex of using the rmb to block. It took me a while to rewire my brain to use Q instead. Is there a way to stab at all now? I used to stab at the face a lot.

I never played KCD1. As far as I'm aware, the only stabbing option with KCD2 is to select the lower option from the sword crosshair when in battle. It's just a general body shot though, I don't think you can pinpoint the direction if that's what you're hoping for.

[Seekrt]

Originally posted by s.aitken88:

Originally posted by Seekrt:

Funny, when I first started playing, I had the ingrained reflex of using the rmb to block. It took me a while to rewire my brain to use Q instead. Is there a way to stab at all now? I used to stab at the face a lot.

I never played KCD1. As far as I'm aware, the only stabbing option with KCD2 is to select the lower option from the sword crosshair when in battle. It's just a general body shot though, I don't think you can pinpoint the direction if that's what you're hoping for.

Ah, ok. Thanks then.

[Thorba]

These two games are so close tied together that it is one big game for me:)

[cookie]

only swords and pole arms
can stab now and they changed the master strike to a more offensive timed move

[Buttwheat]

Yah, and unfortunately its more of a lunge than a stab so running up and spamming stabs before they're ready doesn't really work like in the first game. Also there's no good way to strike attack dogs before the npc is in its combat animations. Regardless the combat is smoother and kind of fast paced, and once you're good at it you can actually fight more than 3 enemies without getting the crap kicked out of you as well. well usually.

[Baron01]

Unless you fell in love with the KCD2, its story and protagonists, I would not bother playing KCD1. KCD1 is now simply inferior game to KCD2 in pretty much all aspects bar few minor ones. The story is still good and it is obviously the origin story for Henry so you will get better understanding of him and his relationship with Hans and other major characters. I also like the region/map of KCD1 a bit more than what is offered in KCD2 as the country-side feels more unique and memorable. And that is about it, everything else is better and more refined in KCD2.

[Seekrt]

Originally posted by Baron01:

Unless you fell in love with the KCD2, its story and protagonists, I would not bother playing KCD1. KCD1 is now simply inferior game to KCD2 in pretty much all aspects bar few minor ones. The story is still good and it is obviously the origin story for Henry so you will get better understanding of him and his relationship with Hans and other major characters. I also like the region/map of KCD1 a bit more than what is offered in KCD2 as the country-side feels more unique and memorable. And that is about it, everything else is better and more refined in KCD2.

That might very well be. I still enjoyed the first game though.

[Kabirbd]

Originally posted by Baron01:

Unless you fell in love with the KCD2, its story and protagonists, I would not bother playing KCD1. KCD1 is now simply inferior game to KCD2 in pretty much all aspects bar few minor ones. The story is still good and it is obviously the origin story for Henry so you will get better understanding of him and his relationship with Hans and other major characters. I also like the region/map of KCD1 a bit more than what is offered in KCD2 as the country-side feels more unique and memorable. And that is about it, everything else is better and more refined in KCD2.

Op already finished KCD1. So not sure why you are saying that.
While warhorse has done a very good job with the engine , kcd 1 is still fun. Cause it's still very unique.
KCD1 has a better map than kcd2.

I decided to write the following things in spoiler. So op don't read.
The first region is decent. But the 2nd region is honestly too flat and it takes too long to travel. There aren't that many inn so you only get a bed with no chest in all the taverns. I can't really blame the 2nd region being flat since it is based on actual landscape but it really is boring to travel on a horse. In case of horse, we may get two free horse, Pebbles and Herring both of which can give a perk which upgrades them meaning buying horses in the second game is honestly a waste of money. Hardcore in kcd2 will also be different than kcd1. Since we will get more different perks.
So playing kcd1 hardcore with all negative perks can be a pretty fun experience and will surely be different than in kcd2. Though stuff like hardcore is only played by a small percentage.
Then we got combat. While kcd2 improved it overall, in certain cases, combat or duel in kcd1 is better, faster, smoother even. The best example may be look up combo of longsword in kcd1 vs kcd2. I honestly miss the longsword combo animation from kcd1. Most players never really got out of their habit of master striking everything even in a 1v1 duel, so they can't appreciate the combat that much in kcd1

[emreyigit1967]

Originally posted by Seekrt:

Edit: I should have asked:
Do you start totally fresh or do you carry your perks from the first game?

You do not carry save files through to the second game. In addition, skills scale to 30, not 20.

You start the game around 16-ish. However, you then have an unfortunate accident which resets them to 6-ish so you have to raise them again. Which is a bit of a bummer, but it is easier to raise them.

However, even then Henry doesn't start out quite as weak as in KCD1, and the fact that your training can take place all over the first map as opposed to the village of Skalitz means that there are plentiful opportunities and means to level up.

Yes, there is some grind, but the fact that the skills you can level up are so so much more varied than what you could do at Skalitz means that the tedium is lessened. Tired of walking around encumbered to raise your Strength and Vitality? Brew potions and get rich. Grown fat from brewing potions? Read some books to raise your Scholarship and Speech. Bored of that? Shoot arrows at targets or take part in an archery contest to raise your Agility and Marksmanship. Still too low in weapons? Go to an "arena" and train. Etc etc.

It's not at all like "picking flowers for Leg Day and whacking cows (and maybe assaulting the villagers)" which is what I remember Skalitz to have been. And then you had to escape from vastly more powerful enemies, and then return to them without having a chance to prepare.

Once the - very lengthy - intro sequence (which happens in stages!) is over, you can do things at your own pace. And you should take your time.

I think the easiest way to start is by brewing potions, for money and because you will use them. You do not need to have learnt any recipe to do so, and when you get to Level 16, the Fox potion will work wonders for your levelling speed. (And I say this as someone who did not like alchemy in KCD1.) If you want an equally easy way of making money, watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBp1bGYIz7s .

I will add two more hints: during the intro bury the body before picking flowers (and that won't be the end of the intro, by the way), and raise your combat and sneaking levels at least (ideally as many skills as you can) to 20+ before you get to a certain party. Many people hate the ending to the first map (I think it's fantastic), and I think it's because they are underlevelled.

[Seekrt]

Ok, thanks a bunch.