{"id":1924761,"date":"2026-05-08T12:39:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T09:39:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1924761"},"modified":"2026-05-08T12:39:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T09:39:50","slug":"warhorse-knows-they-may-lose-some-players-because-kingdom-come-deliverance-is-intentionally-difficult-but-thats-what-makes-it-special","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1924761","title":{"rendered":"Warhorse Knows They May Lose Some Players Because Kingdom Come: Deliverance Is Intentionally Difficult, but That&#8217;s What Makes It Special"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-cy=\"article-content\" class=\"jsx-2870106660 article-content page-0\">\n<section data-cy=\"article-subtitle\" class=\"article jsx-3932497636 article-section jsx-28683165 news\" data-autopogo=\"true\">\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The new creative director at Warhorse Studios, the developer of the <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/kingdom-come-deliverance-ii\"><u>Kingdom Come: Deliverance<\/u><\/a> series, has opened up about its approach to development and explained why their games are deliberately difficult.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">In an interview with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/games\/rpg\/warhorses-new-creative-director-tells-us-why-the-secret-sauce-for-kingdom-come-deliverance-is-making-things-difficult-for-players-the-usual-answer-is-ok-lets-get-rid-of-the-friction-we-dont-work-like-that\/\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>PC Gamer<\/u><\/a>, Prokop Jirsa \u2014 who joined the studio as a designer in 2014 straight from university and has been there ever since \u2014 admitted that Warhorse&#8217;s &#8220;design approach is a little bit different&#8221; from other studios, which sets them apart from competitors.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;For example, if you do playtesting \u2014 which you should, everybody! It&#8217;s really useful \u2014 they especially measure these points of friction,&#8221; Jirsa explained. &#8220;They say, &#8216;Okay, this is the friction point.&#8217; People are getting confused, they are getting confused, or a little angry, and this percentage of people said they would stop playing the game at this moment.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">The Best RPG of 2025<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The past few years have felt like an embarrassment of riches when it comes to RPGs, and so expectations were high going into 2025. Thankfully, the last 12 months certainly lived up to such a bar. While that's good for gamers, it made things more than a little tough when whittling down our list of the best role-playing games of the year, especially because we had a wide variety of RPG styles that satisfied different tastes. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nThe definition of RPG is fairly free-flowing these days, so you\u2019ll see games with elements of the genre in our other award categories. But we made careful considerations for games with RPG mechanics at the forefront of their gameplay, along with deep stories, for this particular list. However, there can only be five games and one winner, so the IGN team voted and deliberated on which games would make up this year\u2019s list. We believe the genre is in good hands with the games we picked, and the game we've chosen as the Best RPGs of 2025 is something very special.\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nThe Trails series, part of the larger Legend of Heroes franchise, has been gaining more and more traction over recent years. But it\u2019s tricky to recommend as it now numbers 13 entries, all of which are part of a continuous timeline. Remake Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter helps rememdy that problem, as it went right back to the beginning to create one of strongest and sharpest games in the series \u2013 and now, it\u2019s the easiest one to recommend.\u00a0&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nTrails revolves around a deeply developed world with captivating geopolitical drama at its heart. 1st Chapter does such a good job of painting that broad picture, which is seen in detail through the eyes of its two leads, Estelle and Joshua. As budding Bracers (a peacekeeping guild) whose father is a legend in the guild, they're perfect conduits to provide a pretty intimate understanding of the world's various regions and how they feed into the larger story. The turn-based battles feature a fantastic blend of action combat and the series\u2019 unique positioning system, which creates a gameplay flow that ushers you through this expanded version of this classic RPG. The true magic of Trails lies in the multifaceted stories from multiple perspectives, but it all starts here in Trails in the Sky, and this remake is a terrific representation of that.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 6 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt='&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Dragon Quest 1&amp;2 HD-2D Remake&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nSquare Enix has done excellent work in revitalizing the Dragon Quest games of yore, and Dragon Quest 1&amp;2 HD-2D Remake is the best example yet. The high-definition pixel art makeover is more than just a sensible way to pretty-up these classics, it also lets them stay true to the spirit of their original look without the weird pixel smoothing effect of past remasters. These Remakes also retain the turn-based combat system and characters without sacrificing the distinct spirit of the original games from all those years ago (frustrating difficulty spikes and all), but even then, quality of life improvements make sure they\u2019re still enjoyable in a modern sense. Combined with the DQ3 HD-2D remake, these games complete the \"Erdrick trilogy\" of Dragon Quest games, and you can see how the series pioneered the genre, especially with the second entry\u2019s emphasis on characters and storytelling. This package is one of the best examples of modernized nostalgia \u2013 faithful to the originals and approachable in today\u2019s gaming landscape. And it\u2019s some of the best role-playing we experienced this year.' class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: The Outer Worlds 2&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nWhen it comes to RPGs and letting players dictate how they interact with the world, Obsidian is one of the best studios to do it. The Outer Worlds 2 improves on the first game in almost every way, from punchier gunplay to much deeper role-playing systems. The options you have to build your character and make pivotal choices have a larger impact on what you can do in combat, but also create specific avenues for how quests play out. We keep pointing to the Flaws system, which was present in the original, but has been expanded in unpredictable, creative ways by giving you some serious pros\/cons to consider based on your playing habits. However, the much more expansive areas, smarter level design, and dynamic combat encounters make sure the actual gameplay experience is a significant leap over the first game. And you can\u2019t have an RPG of this style without choice and consequence at the heart of the story, and Obsidian reminds us with The Outer Worlds 2 that it still has the chops, even in a post-Fallout: New Vegas era.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt='&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nKingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is an investment that pays back multiple times over in its 120-hour runtime. It\u2019s a commitment - a slow-burn game you have to want to live in. But it\u2019s also an action-packed cinematic adventure that proves to have an emotional range that the original didn\u2019t. You might be just \"some guy\" as Henry, yet that role often lets you see the world for what it is, whether you\u2019re doing seemingly mundane activities or the pivotal story quests where your choices matter. What this game does better than most, though, is first-person melee combat, a tough thing that even the mighty Elder Scrolls franchise has struggled with for so long. It is intricate, skill-based, and stays engaging even as you get deeper into the furthest corners the campaign. Although developer Warhorse Studios arguably tries to bite off more than it can chew at times, you\u2019ll find the quality writing and great combat leads you to a satisfying conclusion. This sequel might pick off where the first ended, but jumping into Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 regardless of your experience will open you up to a rare RPG that deserves its flowers, 2025 or otherwise.' class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nSuprise, surprise \u2013 the Best RPG of 2025 is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and for good reason. The folks at development team Sandfall Interactive drew direct inspiration from Japanese RPGs like Final Fantasy 10 and Persona 5 (their words, not ours), and made the kind of game they wanted to play. We know there\u2019s still a huge appetite for good turn-based RPGs, and Clair Obscur is further proof of that, but it\u2019s the mechanics built into the combat system that makes it stand out. The active timing inputs keep you engaged in each fight, and recognizing attack patterns so that you may parry and inflict damage on an enemy turn is some of the most satisfying stuff we\u2019ve experienced in a turn-based system. Each party member plays uniquely and has their own unique gameplay gimmick, as to represent a Job or Class, but there's then the Picto\/Lumina system that lets you stack on perks and wild buffs \u2013 at some point it feels like you\u2019re breaking the game. However, the toughest challenges ensure the game pushes back on you to really test your mastery and understanding of its more intricate mechanics. It\u2019s one of the best combat systems we\u2019ve seen in a good long while, and it keeps that momentum throughout its story and optional content.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nBut Expedition 33 wouldn\u2019t be a true homage to JRPGs without a melodramatic and heartwrenching story. While it immediately hits you with the theme of time wiping away swathes of people \u2013 friends and loved ones disintegrating before your eyes \u2013 it grows into a meditation on grief and how it changes people, seen through the eyes of fully formed characters who change alongside each other. Whether or not you want intricate systems, fun combat, or deep stories from your RPGs, Clair Obscur delivered all of that in a way that won the hearts of us here at IGN.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;The usual answer is, &#8216;Okay, let&#8217;s get rid of the friction.&#8217; We don&#8217;t work like that. We feel if you overcome the friction, or the friction is intentionally there\u2026 then the friction helps you! Because you overcome the friction, you feel better about yourself, you feel that you&#8217;ve actually overcome some actual problem or difficulty.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">It&#8217;s because of this that the team accepts that while they <em>could<\/em> lose some players looking for frictionless experiences, &#8220;we are intentionally different.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;You will lose some players that are really not there for any friction, they just want to have this smooth experience,&#8221; Jirsa admitted. &#8220;And there&#8217;s nothing bad about smooth experiences! They have their place\u2026 but we are intentionally different. And I think Kingdom Come 2 \u2014 1 as well, but 2 mostly \u2014 works so well in this regard.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2021719738 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/kingdom-come-deliverance-2-review\"><u>IGN&#8217;s Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 review<\/u><\/a> returned a 9\/10. We said: &#8220;Armed with excellent melee combat and an exceptional story, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is one part sequel and one part coronation, bringing a lot of the original&#8217;s ideas to fruition.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">While Warhorse has enjoyed significant success with Kingdom Come: Deliverance, <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/kingdom-come-deliverance-2-devs-answered-fan-questions-on-reddit-and-inevitably-most-were-about-ai\">it has come under fire recently for its use of generatve AI<\/a>. Daniel V\u00e1vra, the previous director of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/kingdom-come-deliverance-director-daniel-vvra-steps-away-from-game-development-to-focus-on-making-a-kingdom-come-deliverance-movie\">stepped down from his role in February to focus on making a Kingdom Come: Deliverance movie<\/a>. The studio is yet to announce its next game, although it is heavily rumored to be working on a Lord of the Rings RPG.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world&#8217;s biggest gaming sites and publications. She&#8217;s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/vixx.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>BlueSky<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-1475529924\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 bobble bobble-1 pogocnt pg-article\">\n<div data-mix-name=\"secondaryMedrec\" data-pos=\"1\" data-pogo-hide=\"1\" class=\"jsx-343126785 pogo-slot\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The new creative director at Warhorse Studios, the developer of the <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/kingdom-come-deliverance-ii\"><u>Kingdom Come: Deliverance<\/u><\/a> series, has opened up about its approach to development and explained why their games are deliberately difficult.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">In an interview with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/games\/rpg\/warhorses-new-creative-director-tells-us-why-the-secret-sauce-for-kingdom-come-deliverance-is-making-things-difficult-for-players-the-usual-answer-is-ok-lets-get-rid-of-the-friction-we-dont-work-like-that\/\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>PC Gamer<\/u><\/a>, Prokop Jirsa \u2014 who joined the studio as a designer in 2014 straight from university and has been there ever since \u2014 admitted that Warhorse&#8217;s &#8220;design approach is a little bit different&#8221; from other studios, which sets them apart from competitors.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;For example, if you do playtesting \u2014 which you should, everybody! It&#8217;s really useful \u2014 they especially measure these points of friction,&#8221; Jirsa explained. &#8220;They say, &#8216;Okay, this is the friction point.&#8217; People are getting confused, they are getting confused, or a little angry, and this percentage of people said they would stop playing the game at this moment.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">The Best RPG of 2025<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The past few years have felt like an embarrassment of riches when it comes to RPGs, and so expectations were high going into 2025. Thankfully, the last 12 months certainly lived up to such a bar. While that's good for gamers, it made things more than a little tough when whittling down our list of the best role-playing games of the year, especially because we had a wide variety of RPG styles that satisfied different tastes. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nThe definition of RPG is fairly free-flowing these days, so you\u2019ll see games with elements of the genre in our other award categories. But we made careful considerations for games with RPG mechanics at the forefront of their gameplay, along with deep stories, for this particular list. However, there can only be five games and one winner, so the IGN team voted and deliberated on which games would make up this year\u2019s list. We believe the genre is in good hands with the games we picked, and the game we've chosen as the Best RPGs of 2025 is something very special.\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nThe Trails series, part of the larger Legend of Heroes franchise, has been gaining more and more traction over recent years. But it\u2019s tricky to recommend as it now numbers 13 entries, all of which are part of a continuous timeline. Remake Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter helps rememdy that problem, as it went right back to the beginning to create one of strongest and sharpest games in the series \u2013 and now, it\u2019s the easiest one to recommend.\u00a0&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nTrails revolves around a deeply developed world with captivating geopolitical drama at its heart. 1st Chapter does such a good job of painting that broad picture, which is seen in detail through the eyes of its two leads, Estelle and Joshua. As budding Bracers (a peacekeeping guild) whose father is a legend in the guild, they're perfect conduits to provide a pretty intimate understanding of the world's various regions and how they feed into the larger story. The turn-based battles feature a fantastic blend of action combat and the series\u2019 unique positioning system, which creates a gameplay flow that ushers you through this expanded version of this classic RPG. The true magic of Trails lies in the multifaceted stories from multiple perspectives, but it all starts here in Trails in the Sky, and this remake is a terrific representation of that.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 6 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt='&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Dragon Quest 1&amp;2 HD-2D Remake&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nSquare Enix has done excellent work in revitalizing the Dragon Quest games of yore, and Dragon Quest 1&amp;2 HD-2D Remake is the best example yet. The high-definition pixel art makeover is more than just a sensible way to pretty-up these classics, it also lets them stay true to the spirit of their original look without the weird pixel smoothing effect of past remasters. These Remakes also retain the turn-based combat system and characters without sacrificing the distinct spirit of the original games from all those years ago (frustrating difficulty spikes and all), but even then, quality of life improvements make sure they\u2019re still enjoyable in a modern sense. Combined with the DQ3 HD-2D remake, these games complete the \"Erdrick trilogy\" of Dragon Quest games, and you can see how the series pioneered the genre, especially with the second entry\u2019s emphasis on characters and storytelling. This package is one of the best examples of modernized nostalgia \u2013 faithful to the originals and approachable in today\u2019s gaming landscape. And it\u2019s some of the best role-playing we experienced this year.' class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: The Outer Worlds 2&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nWhen it comes to RPGs and letting players dictate how they interact with the world, Obsidian is one of the best studios to do it. The Outer Worlds 2 improves on the first game in almost every way, from punchier gunplay to much deeper role-playing systems. The options you have to build your character and make pivotal choices have a larger impact on what you can do in combat, but also create specific avenues for how quests play out. We keep pointing to the Flaws system, which was present in the original, but has been expanded in unpredictable, creative ways by giving you some serious pros\/cons to consider based on your playing habits. However, the much more expansive areas, smarter level design, and dynamic combat encounters make sure the actual gameplay experience is a significant leap over the first game. And you can\u2019t have an RPG of this style without choice and consequence at the heart of the story, and Obsidian reminds us with The Outer Worlds 2 that it still has the chops, even in a post-Fallout: New Vegas era.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt='&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nKingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is an investment that pays back multiple times over in its 120-hour runtime. It\u2019s a commitment - a slow-burn game you have to want to live in. But it\u2019s also an action-packed cinematic adventure that proves to have an emotional range that the original didn\u2019t. You might be just \"some guy\" as Henry, yet that role often lets you see the world for what it is, whether you\u2019re doing seemingly mundane activities or the pivotal story quests where your choices matter. What this game does better than most, though, is first-person melee combat, a tough thing that even the mighty Elder Scrolls franchise has struggled with for so long. It is intricate, skill-based, and stays engaging even as you get deeper into the furthest corners the campaign. Although developer Warhorse Studios arguably tries to bite off more than it can chew at times, you\u2019ll find the quality writing and great combat leads you to a satisfying conclusion. This sequel might pick off where the first ended, but jumping into Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 regardless of your experience will open you up to a rare RPG that deserves its flowers, 2025 or otherwise.' class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nSuprise, surprise \u2013 the Best RPG of 2025 is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and for good reason. The folks at development team Sandfall Interactive drew direct inspiration from Japanese RPGs like Final Fantasy 10 and Persona 5 (their words, not ours), and made the kind of game they wanted to play. We know there\u2019s still a huge appetite for good turn-based RPGs, and Clair Obscur is further proof of that, but it\u2019s the mechanics built into the combat system that makes it stand out. The active timing inputs keep you engaged in each fight, and recognizing attack patterns so that you may parry and inflict damage on an enemy turn is some of the most satisfying stuff we\u2019ve experienced in a turn-based system. Each party member plays uniquely and has their own unique gameplay gimmick, as to represent a Job or Class, but there's then the Picto\/Lumina system that lets you stack on perks and wild buffs \u2013 at some point it feels like you\u2019re breaking the game. However, the toughest challenges ensure the game pushes back on you to really test your mastery and understanding of its more intricate mechanics. It\u2019s one of the best combat systems we\u2019ve seen in a good long while, and it keeps that momentum throughout its story and optional content.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nBut Expedition 33 wouldn\u2019t be a true homage to JRPGs without a melodramatic and heartwrenching story. While it immediately hits you with the theme of time wiping away swathes of people \u2013 friends and loved ones disintegrating before your eyes \u2013 it grows into a meditation on grief and how it changes people, seen through the eyes of fully formed characters who change alongside each other. Whether or not you want intricate systems, fun combat, or deep stories from your RPGs, Clair Obscur delivered all of that in a way that won the hearts of us here at IGN.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;The usual answer is, &#8216;Okay, let&#8217;s get rid of the friction.&#8217; We don&#8217;t work like that. We feel if you overcome the friction, or the friction is intentionally there\u2026 then the friction helps you! Because you overcome the friction, you feel better about yourself, you feel that you&#8217;ve actually overcome some actual problem or difficulty.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">It&#8217;s because of this that the team accepts that while they <em>could<\/em> lose some players looking for frictionless experiences, &#8220;we are intentionally different.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;You will lose some players that are really not there for any friction, they just want to have this smooth experience,&#8221; Jirsa admitted. &#8220;And there&#8217;s nothing bad about smooth experiences! They have their place\u2026 but we are intentionally different. And I think Kingdom Come 2 \u2014 1 as well, but 2 mostly \u2014 works so well in this regard.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2021719738 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/kingdom-come-deliverance-2-review\"><u>IGN&#8217;s Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 review<\/u><\/a> returned a 9\/10. We said: &#8220;Armed with excellent melee combat and an exceptional story, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is one part sequel and one part coronation, bringing a lot of the original&#8217;s ideas to fruition.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">While Warhorse has enjoyed significant success with Kingdom Come: Deliverance, <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/kingdom-come-deliverance-2-devs-answered-fan-questions-on-reddit-and-inevitably-most-were-about-ai\">it has come under fire recently for its use of generatve AI<\/a>. Daniel V\u00e1vra, the previous director of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/kingdom-come-deliverance-director-daniel-vvra-steps-away-from-game-development-to-focus-on-making-a-kingdom-come-deliverance-movie\">stepped down from his role in February to focus on making a Kingdom Come: Deliverance movie<\/a>. The studio is yet to announce its next game, although it is heavily rumored to be working on a Lord of the Rings RPG.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world&#8217;s biggest gaming sites and publications. She&#8217;s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/vixx.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>BlueSky<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The new creative director at Warhorse Studios, the developer of the Kingdom Come: Deliverance series, has opened up about its approach to development and explained why their games are deliberately difficult. In an interview with PC Gamer, Prokop Jirsa \u2014 who joined the studio as a designer in 2014 straight from university and has been [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,243],"class_list":["post-1924761","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-ign-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1924761","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1924761"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1924761\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1924761"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1924761"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1924761"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}