Compare Kingdom Come: Deliverance II vs The Outbound Ghost

Granular difficulty controls are one of the game’s strongest features, including damage, experience, encounters, and special modifiers. Visual accessibility is weaker, particularly color reliance and tiny or blurry Switch text.

One reviewer warned that excessive profanity and potentially offensive material make the game unsuitable for some audiences.

Despite themes of death and the afterlife, the tone stays cute, gentle, and approachable enough for younger players who are comfortable reading substantial dialogue.

AI and NPC behavior were praised for believable reactions, routines, crime responses, and increased sophistication over the first game.

Enemy behavior is usually straightforward, but some field encounters show unexpectedly sharp tactics that can contribute to sudden difficulty spikes.

Ranged play was viewed as improved by some reviewers, especially archery, but another found ranged combat weightless and weak.

Cutscene direction and mocap were praised for selling relationships and emotional scenes convincingly.

Character movement and presentation are smooth, appealing, and well suited to the papercraft style.

The visual style of menus, maps, and medieval presentation received praise for matching the game’s historical tone.

The papercraft characters, expressive designs, and colorful 3D environments are the most consistent source of praise. Even strongly negative reviews usually call the game charming, gorgeous, or visually distinctive.

Atmosphere was praised alongside world-building, especially in cities, music, and historically grounded locations.

Whimsical music, colorful environments, and gentle ghostly humor create an appealing adventurous mood even when the story turns darker.

Bosses are inconsistent: the better fights reward clever status strategies, but others arrive without warning, have enormous health pools, or become long healing contests.

Bugs were present but usually minor; reviewers ranged from calling glitches common to saying issues rarely disrupted play.

Graphical anomalies, stuck characters, broken map elements, and at least one game-breaking issue were reported, although several problems were patched quickly.

Camera behavior was a noted issue for one reviewer, especially through finicky first-person viewpoint problems.

The fixed camera can hide patrolling enemies near the screen edge, forcing unwanted encounters that players cannot reasonably anticipate.

Henry and Hans received strong praise for their evolving relationship and character arcs, with Henry’s trauma and growth adding stakes.

The ghosts’ personal burdens and chapter-specific arcs can make the cast lovable and emotionally meaningful. Uneven writing keeps that growth from landing consistently.

The cast was praised for memorable personalities, humor, and a strong sense of history.

The large Figment roster supports many party roles and build experiments, but the sheer number of characters and abilities can feel daunting.

Checkpointing was criticized for causing lost progress when autosaves appeared only at limited quest points.

Losing a fight immediately offers a retry or reload option, making experimentation forgiving and reducing lost progress.

The Figment roster covers many roles, but numerous characters and status types feel unnecessary when a few reliable strategies handle most encounters.

Combat drew broad attention for its realism, skill focus, and improvements, though several reviewers still found it harsh, clunky, or frustrating early on.

Combat is highly divisive: timed inputs, Figment roles, and build experimentation can be exciting, but regular fights often become repetitive, shallow, or poorly balanced. Bosses range from clever tactical puzzles to padded wars of attrition.

The dog companion Mutt was praised as useful and worthwhile, especially for tracking and early side-quest benefits.

Reviewers praised the breadth of activities, quests, and post-launch additions, with many describing a large and varied set of things to do.

Outside combat, exploration, a small lock-picking game, and occasional torch puzzles, the game offers few meaningful diversions. More minigames or side activities would help break up the repetition.

Controls were described as noticeably smoother than the first game, especially in camera feel, aiming, and sword fighting responsiveness.

A D-pad bug on PlayStation made menu navigation unreliable until patches addressed it.

One reviewer found the loop rewarding but volatile, with strong highs offset by repeated frustration and setbacks.

The repeated cycle of walking, battling, and waiting through loads loses momentum once combat settles into familiar patterns.

Crafting split reviewers: blacksmithing and alchemy could be charming and rewarding, but several found parts clunky, slow, or repetitive.

The Aspect system supports flexible builds and strong synergies, earning high praise from enthusiastic players. Others found it poorly organized, unnecessary, or filled with niche upgrades that never justified the effort.

Crash stability was praised by multiple reviewers who reported no crashes, no soft locks, or no hard crashes.

The Switch version was reported to crash randomly to the dashboard, making frequent saving important.

Dialogue was mostly praised for impact, humor, and organic choices, though one reviewer found some repeated dialogue drawn out.

Tender exchanges and character humor occasionally land, but repetitive misunderstandings, overlong conversations, and unclear motivations wear down the cast’s appeal.

Difficulty was often called demanding and unforgiving; reviewers generally treated this as part of the appeal, though not always an easy one.

Extensive sliders let players tailor damage, experience, and enemy presence, but the default curve can swing from trivial encounters to sudden spikes and lengthy bosses.

The post-launch expansions were credited with adding a large amount of extra content to the package.

The early economy was described as restrictive, especially when selling damaged or stolen goods with limited vendor money.

Crafting resources can feel unevenly distributed, with desired Aspects sometimes blocked by one missing material and no clear bestiary or shop to help locate it.

Reviewers described the story as memorable and emotionally powerful, including scenes that brought strong lasting reactions.

When the themes of regret, mortality, and moving on connect, they create genuine empathy and a heartfelt payoff. These moments are among the story’s strongest qualities.

Post-game play adds superbosses, remaining Figments, and collection cleanup, but almost no new story. Chapter 5 is especially disappointing for anyone seeking answers.

The broad range of colorful ghostly apparitions stays visually distinct across regions and gives the bestiary plenty of personality.

Environmental detail was praised for dense, specific objects, puddles, tools, farms, residences, and believable spaces.

Distinct biomes, dramatic lighting, and picturesque set pieces make many areas memorable. Pop-in and repeated assets sometimes undermine that detail.

Exploration was praised for beautiful spaces, meaningful discoveries, and a strong adventuring feel, though harsh systems made some travel demanding.

The scenery often invites exploration, but the rewards rarely justify it. Many areas feel too large and empty, with side paths commonly yielding crafting materials that some players barely use.

Facial animation feedback was mixed: one reviewer noted lifeless dialogue faces, while another praised key character animations.

Character expressions communicate emotion effectively within the simple papercraft style.

Reviewers generally agreed the sequel stays true to the original while improving its systems, scope, and accessibility.

Family friendliness was limited by repeated profanity, sexual content, and depictions of women that one reviewer found objectifying.

The wholesome presentation, mild tone, and adjustable difficulty make it suitable for families, though the game is single-player and text-heavy.

Fast travel opinions were mixed: one reviewer praised dynamic events, while another found it cumbersome and interruption-prone.

One reviewer reported a consistent frame rate and treated that as part of the game’s stronger technical state.

PC and PlayStation 5 can run smoothly, but heavy drops may occur when entering or leaving areas and battles.

Several reviewers found the game highly entertaining, addictive, and rewarding once its demanding systems clicked.

The charming world, customization, and active combat can be highly enjoyable. Repetition and weak story structure can make the same experience feel dull despite its presentation.

Reviewers repeatedly framed the systems-heavy design as a major strength, praising how mechanics connect to role-playing, dialogue, world simulation, and player expression.

AP banking, timed attacks, and status combinations can create clever tactical moments, but the timing gimmicks and status rules can also feel cumbersome or exploitable.

Graphics were broadly praised for impressive landscapes, cutscenes, lighting, and major visual improvements over the first game.

The core visual design is excellent on PC and stronger hardware, but console versions—especially Switch—can look blurry, fuzzy, or low resolution.

The game was not seen as a pure grind, but reviewers still emphasized the effort and repetition needed to gain traction.

Shared party experience reduces routine grinding, although poor boss balance may still push players toward extra battles on harder settings.

Handheld suitability was supported by one reviewer who described the game as scalable enough for handheld play.

Steam Deck impressions are positive, but Switch handheld play is repeatedly criticized for blurry graphics, tiny text, and unreadable menus.

DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers were praised for reflecting stamina, sword clashes, and sharpening interactions.

A horror-leaning quest was criticized for being too short for its dread to fully develop.

The adaptive HUD was praised for hiding unnecessary elements and improving immersion when information was not relevant.

Status icons, maps, and battle text can be difficult to understand or read, particularly in handheld mode where text may become nearly illegible.

Immersion was one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers repeatedly describing the world, systems, and presentation as absorbing.

For receptive players, the blend of exploration, mystery, music, and heartfelt themes makes Outbound easy to become absorbed in.

One reviewer praised the scale of improvement as something other studios rarely achieve.

Figment roles, Aspect combinations, and flexible status builds offer creative tactical possibilities even though the broader structure remains familiar.

The learning curve was repeatedly described as steep, slow, and friction-heavy, rewarding patience but likely turning some players away.

Basic combat is easy to grasp, but the huge number of Figments, skills, statuses, and Aspects can overwhelm less experienced RPG players.

One reviewer praised the way locations were recontextualized into memorable set-pieces that rewarded planning and awareness.

Some zones reward curiosity with hidden routes and colorful spaces, while others feel oversized, padded, and difficult to navigate.

Post-launch support was described positively through free updates, fixes, and eagerly awaited features.

Load times were criticized by one reviewer as long enough to worsen stealth retries and experimentation.

Long black screens before and after battles are the most consistent technical complaint. On consoles, waits of roughly eight to eleven seconds repeatedly break the flow and sometimes look like crashes.

Loot was criticized for early encumbrance pressure and the difficulty of carrying everything a player might want.

Loot is useful for players who engage deeply with crafting, yet many pickups feel repetitive or worthless once Aspect forging loses its appeal.

The historical codex and contextual detail were praised for offering extensive background on people, events, and society.

Environmental signs, background details, and scattered clues invite players to reconstruct the town’s history, though the main story leaves many larger questions unresolved.

Maps were praised for medieval flair and exquisite town art, supporting the game’s historical presentation.

Maps and minimaps are widely criticized as tiny, unclear, or nearly useless. Missing objective direction and poor location tracking often lead to getting lost or backtracking.

Menu usability was mixed to negative, with some praise for navigation but others calling the menu system dire or frustrating.

Aspect management is cumbersome, with long unalphabetized lists and awkward steps required to remove or replace equipment.

Main mission design was mixed: reviewers praised varied scenarios, but one criticized a required sequence for lacking an alternate path.

The campaign repeatedly funnels players from one location to the next through enemy waves and cutscenes, making objectives feel overly linear and repetitive.

Mission variety was strongly praised, especially for quests that went beyond simple errands or bandit-clearing objectives.

Much of the campaign follows the same pattern of crossing large areas, chasing the next character, and fighting enemies, with little variation in objectives.

One reviewer felt early traversal was unnecessarily taxing, especially before stronger equipment and better mobility options eased the burden.

Large areas can feel slow to cross, and faster movement would reduce the drag of repeated backtracking.

Narrative quality was a major strength, with reviewers praising the historical saga, main quest, character arcs, and cinematic ambition.

The premise of unresolved ghosts and an amnesiac protagonist is strong, and parts of the story feel heartfelt or engrossing. The meandering chase, shifting perspectives, unresolved mysteries, and abrupt ending undermine the payoff.

Onboarding divided reviewers: returning and new-player recaps helped, but some found the opening overloaded or blunt.

Systems are introduced gradually instead of through a long opening lecture, helping the game feel approachable from the start.

The open world drew strong praise for its scale, density, historically grounded cities, and lived-in regions across multiple maps.

The world offers side paths and gradual unlocking within a mostly linear structure, giving players limited freedom without becoming a true sandbox.

Reviewers repeatedly emphasized how unusual and specific the game feels compared with modern RPGs.

The Paper Mario influence is unmistakable, and the game rarely develops a strong identity of its own. Emotion-based Figments add an interesting idea but do not fully overcome the imitation.

Pacing opinions varied: some praised the sustained momentum, while others complained about indulgent cutscenes or late-game pacing issues.

The story’s momentum is a major weakness. Long chases, uneven chapter lengths, repeated events, and heavy backtracking make the middle and final acts feel padded.

Performance was generally praised across PC and console contexts, with reviewers noting strong optimization and technical improvements.

Performance varies sharply by platform. PC and Steam Deck reports are mostly smooth, while Switch and some console versions suffer pop-in, blurry visuals, long transitions, and other port-specific compromises.

The PS5 Pro version was praised as a graphical treat, with platform-specific technical strengths noted.

The Switch version is the clearest weak point, with blurry handheld text, crashes, and severe loading that make other platforms easier to recommend.

Reviewers saw the sequel as much more polished than the first game, with rough edges reduced and systems better realized.

Text glitches, interface scaling problems, bugs, and rushed narrative structure leave the game feeling less finished than its attractive presentation suggests.

Progression was widely praised for turning early friction into rewarding growth through skills, perks, equipment, and player learning.

Shared experience across all Figments is widely praised because reserve party members stay useful without extra grinding or constant rotation.

One reviewer strongly disliked Hans as a long-term companion presence, creating strain on their desire to continue.

The emotion-based Figments provide mechanical roles but little personality, weakening attachment to the protagonist’s battle party.

Torch puzzles and lock-picking provide occasional breaks from combat, but they are usually simple, repetitive, or increasingly trivial rather than progressively more interesting.

Quest design was one of the strongest points, with reviewers praising memorable side stories, branching approaches, and strong writing, despite a few disappointing payoffs.

The focused main path avoids traditional side-quest clutter, but the absence of meaningful optional quests can also make the world feel empty.

Replay value looked strong thanks to hardcore mode, major content additions, and reviewers wanting to return for more playthroughs.

Difficulty modifiers, randomized Figment order, hidden Figments, and alternate Aspect choices encourage repeat runs. Weak post-game payoff and the unresolved ending can reduce the desire to return.

Reviewers admired the freedom to solve problems, exploit systems, and role-play, though the sandbox sometimes clashed with scripted story demands.

The save system was one of the most divisive topics, praised by one reviewer but criticized by many as stingy or punishing.

Frequent save points make it easy to stop without losing progress, though a temporary PlayStation save scare required a restart.

The sequel was credited with giving supporting women and other groups somewhat more agency than before.

The cast is colorful and often charming, yet many supporting ghosts receive too little development or dialogue for players to form strong attachments.

Reviewers liked the depth and usefulness of perks, weapon techniques, and skill trees, especially when they enabled meaningful playstyle specialization.

Sound design was praised for supporting immersion and helping players identify attacks or stealth-relevant cues.

Sound effects are mixed: many are timely and charming, while others feel sparse or irritating.

The soundtrack was one of the most consistently praised elements, with several reviewers calling it orchestral, phenomenal, or legendary.

Jazz, blues, and whimsical battle themes are catchy, relaxing, and memorable. Repetition can become noticeable, and some combat tracks could carry more urgency.

Stealth was useful and sometimes satisfying, yet reviewers also called it finicky, weak, or frustrating in specific forced sections.

Bush hiding is a simple but useful way to avoid encounters or start battles with an advantage, without turning the game into a demanding stealth experience.

Tutorial quality was mixed, with one reviewer calling it decent while others criticized dense text screens and poor explanations.

The mandatory tutorial is brief and unobtrusive, with deeper explanations left in the help menu for players who need them.

The revised perk and upgrade system was praised for offering meaningful upside-focused choices rather than weak side-grades.

Aspects offer many options, but their effects can feel too subtle to meaningfully change combat outcomes.

UI feedback was positive when reviewers discussed improved, adaptable, or visually polished interface presentation.

The interface generally matches the papercraft style and can be clean and readable on stronger platforms. Poor sorting, cut-off assets, and Switch scaling issues create notable friction.

Value was praised because the game is both strong and very long, with some reviewers reporting enormous playtime.

Value depends heavily on tolerance for technical issues and narrative disappointment. The roughly 15-hour RPG can feel worthwhile to genre fans, while others may prefer a sale.

Visual set pieces and in-engine scenes were praised for creating striking emotional moments.

Dramatic lighting and colorful effects enhance the papercraft environments, although occasional spell stutter and console blur can reduce their impact.

Voice acting was broadly praised, especially the main cast, though some reviewers noted repeated or uneven minor NPC voices.

Weapon balance was mixed: one reviewer liked weapon choice, while another found some ranged options hard to use effectively.

World-building was repeatedly praised as immersive, historically grounded, and central to the game’s appeal.

Colorful regions, environmental clues, and small visual details can make Outbound feel rich and mysterious. Reused assets and unresolved lore prevent the world from feeling fully realized.

Reviewers consistently praised the reactive crime, reputation, NPC, and quest systems that made the world feel alive and responsive.

There is surprisingly little to do in the attractive environments beyond gathering materials, fighting enemies, and completing a few basic interactions.

Writing was described as excellent, engaging, humorous, and consistently strong across main and side content.

Writing is the clearest narrative weakness. Dialogue, motivations, humor, and the final resolution often feel amateurish, underdeveloped, or confusing.