Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Prague-based Warhorse Studios has boldly rewritten the book on what an action role-playing game can be. From combat to storytelling, Kingdom Come: Deliverance challenges players' preconceptions. Henry begins the game unable even to properly hack apart a wooden stick planted in the ground before him, and its only through much practice that he -- and players, who must learn an unusual sword-fighting system that involves directional attacking, blocking, and feinting -- becomes even a little bit better. His slow ascension from blacksmith's son to someone who commands a little more respect flies in the face of traditional RPGs, in which players inhabit characters who quickly transform into living legends with godlike combat abilities. Open-minded players may well find the game's painstaking simulation of medieval life -- from washing up in troughs to make Henry a little more presentable to learning how to read from a local scribe -- both fascinating and unprecedented.

Unfortunately, Warhorse's focus on creating a unique RPG experience seems to have drawn its attention away from remedying a variety of technical problems that could prove off-putting to many players, including lengthy pauses while loading dialogue with non-player characters, bizarre bugs such as floating cows, and a clunky and archaic menu system that feels like it might have been pilfered from a 15-year-old game. Much as players will need some patience watching Henry's unconventional story unfold, so, too, will they need to prepare to endure these technical hiccups. That said, the reward -- a truly original and innovative role-playing game with a singular vision, strong narrative, and unapologetic grittiness -- could prove more than worthwhile for the right players.