The recent launch of Kingdom Come Deliverance II has highlighted the capabilities of the CryEngine graphics engine, which has demonstrated outstanding performance on accessible PC configurations. The game runs smoothly even with mid-range hardware, such as the Ryzen 5 3600 processor and the GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, opening up new possibilities for future titles using this engine.
A Performance Test with Accessible Hardware
The Digital Foundry team conducted tests with an unusual configuration by standard measures. Instead of using the most powerful setups, they decided to test the game with more affordable components. With a Ryzen 5 3600 processor and a GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, they achieved stable and smooth performance, which is a great indicator of the accessibility and optimization of the CryEngine engine.
Tests at Medium Quality at 1080p
With the mentioned configuration and adjusting the game to medium quality at a resolution of 1080p, the game reached a constant 60 FPS without suffering performance drops. Even in areas with many non-playable characters (NPCs), there were no issues with stuttering or shader compilation, demonstrating the excellent optimization of CryEngine in this title.
Efficient Shader Management
Another standout aspect in the tests was how the game handles shader compilation. Unlike other open-world titles, in Kingdom Come Deliverance II, shader compilation is mainly done during loading screens. If it occurs during gameplay, it does so asynchronously, avoiding interference with gameplay and keeping the experience smooth and stable.
Comparison with Other Open-World Titles
Compared to other open-world titles like Dragon's Dogma 2 or Avowed, Kingdom Come Deliverance II stands out not only for its visual quality but also for its optimization. While other similar games may have performance issues, Warhorse Studios' game offers a much smoother and more stable experience, placing it in an advantageous position against the competition.
The Future of CryEngine in Video Games
It's a shame that CryEngine is not used more by developers, as Kingdom Come Deliverance II demonstrates its great potential. Its ability to deliver detailed open worlds without sacrificing performance makes it an excellent option for future video games.
Praise for CryEngine: Potential and Future
"The performance of Kingdom Come Deliverance II demonstrates that the CryEngine graphics engine is a powerful tool for creating high-quality open worlds, even with mid-range hardware. Its optimization and stability capabilities are something that should be leveraged more in the industry."
CryEngine vs. Other Graphics Engines
Despite graphics engines like Unreal Engine 5 and Unity dominating much of the industry, CryEngine remains a solid option for developers seeking an engine that combines high visual quality with excellent optimization. The key to its future success lies in leveraging its potential to create stable and accessible playable experiences for a larger number of players.