The computer role-playing game (RPG) genre is practically synonymous with high fantasy settings inspired by the likes of J R R Tolkien and his literary successors. Genre-defining games such as BioWare's Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (2000) and Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002) are set in worlds replete with fantasy creatures and tropes: orcs, elves, dwarves, dragons, magic and a main character that turns out to be the chosen one.
BioWare's Dragon Age (2009) and CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3 (2015) had settings inspired by George R R Martin and Andrzej Sapkowski's grittier and more mature takes on the fantasy fiction genre, and have often been described as more "realistic" – but only in the way that Game of Thrones is more realistic than The Lord of the Rings; that is to say, more visceral violence, bad language and political intrigue inspired by real-life conflicts such as the Wars of the Roses.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is the latest RPG to claim the mantle of realism, but it is in a manner very different from the above. Gone are the dragons, magic and fictional geography, replaced by early 15th-century Bohemia, then part of the Holy Roman Empire.
Instead of being the chosen one or a powerful wizard or warrior, you play Henry, the illiterate son of a blacksmith who can barely use – much less afford – a sword. Henry’s initial concerns are more mundane than those of your typical RPG protagonist: getting enough sleep and food to stay alive, learning the basics of defending himself against those who would do him harm, and keeping clothing, armour and weapons functional and clean (much like in the real world, showing up somewhere covered in mud and smelling bad doesn’t do your social life any favours).
Czech developers Warhorse Studios' devotion to realism permeates every aspect of this medieval-life simulator. Locations, buildings, clothing, technology and weapons have all been crafted with the help of historians to be as close as possible to their 15th-century counterparts.
But it's not only the physical objects that are highly realistic. Medieval life didn't just look different but had social systems, beliefs and customs that may seem very alien today. Thankfully, there is a thorough in-game compendium that makes it easier to understand how it all fits together: relations between the different strata of society, the role of religion, how the economy works and how distant political events affect life in your little corner of the empire.
Many games purport to offer emergent gameplay but few manage to succeed so well in providing a sandbox in which you can approach quests and goals in so many ways.
You can create the sort of Henry you want through the choices that you make, moving through the story and the world as you see fit. Is Henry a skilled swordsman who prefers to solve problems through violence? Or does he prefer to rely on a smooth tongue to turn events to his favour? Is he honest and scrupulous, or greedy and not above breaking the law to get ahead? That's all left up to the player.
The level system means that you improve those skills you most use, so Henry very much becomes an embodiment of your play style. Pick a lot of locks and you will increase your lockpicking skills. Spend a lot of time fighting and your strength and weapons handling skills will improve. The possibilities are, in a very real sense, quite endless.
Players who do decide to engage in combat will find a system as concerned with realism as the rest of the game. Experts in historical European martial arts were involved in development, so you can forget about button-mashing your way to victory.
Kingdom Come looks incredible, especially on the Xbox One X, PS4 Pro and PCs with high-end graphics cards. Sound design is superb and the voice acting can be excellent at times, while not so great at others.
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If this all sounds great so far, then be aware. The focus on realism could be a bit much for some – a friend complained that she plays games for the power fantasy they provide, not to feel like the powerless peasant in a world where death and disease lurk around every corner. There can be some buggy moments, although plenty of them have been addressed in a post-launch patch, with more fixes on the way – it's nothing game-breaking, but if you can't handle anything but the smoothest experience, then it might be wise to wait a little before buying Kingdom Come.
It is a decidedly adult game, with strong language, dark themes and realistic violence.
If you don't mind the odd bug or having to spend a few hours just to get to grips with how to be a barely functional human in the 15th century, Kingdom Come: Deliverance should provide around 50 hours or so of engaging, fun – and educational – gameplay.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance was released on February 13
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
How England have scored their set-piece goals in Russia
Three Penalties
v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)
v Panama, Group Stage (Kane)
v Colombia, Last 16 (Kane)
Four Corners
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via John Stones header, from Ashley Young corner)
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via Harry Maguire header, from Kieran Trippier corner)
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, header, from Trippier corner)
v Sweden, Quarter-Final (Maguire, header, from Young corner)
One Free-Kick
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, via Jordan Henderson, Kane header, and Raheem Sterling, from Tripper free-kick)
Company%20Profile
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Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
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'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Company%20profile
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Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
MATCH INFO
Crawley Town 3 (Tsaroulla 50', Nadesan 53', Tunnicliffe 70')
Leeds United 0
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Greatest Royal Rumble card
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
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Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto
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A%20QUIET%20PLACE
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Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
HOSTS
T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
ODI WORLD CUP
2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh
CHAMPIONS TROPHY
2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine