Kenshi 2 information

[luj1]

This game is probably the 4th greatest modern classic after Grimoire, Underrail and KotC 2

(from the Wiki)

Kenshi 2 is an upcoming prequel to Kenshi still under development by Lo-Fi Games. Set around 1,000 years prior to the original game[1], the setting will still be in a post-apocalyptic state during this time period[2], and may have only slightly more advanced technology[3].

Though originally intended to use the latest version of OGRE as its engine, it was later changed to Unreal Engine 4[4]. There is currently no confirmed release date. Unlike Kenshi, the game will likely not pursue an early access release as the funding is not needed, which would significantly speed up development. There is, however, a potential beta phase towards the end of development to assist with bug testing[5].

Currently major known planned features include a larger and expanded world[6], with new and old landmasses to explore[7], more dynamic faction interactions[8], a district system for NPC towns[9], as well as a major new game changing system that is being kept secret[10]. Multiplayer is not planned for the game[11].

Hivers are confirmed to be a returning race, with some additions to the variety of their appearance [12]. While it is highly likely that the other races will return as well, they have yet to be officially confirmed.

Potential new features may include wall climbing [13], and boats [14][15], but so far remain unconfirmed.

The development team has started working on new modding tools.

 

[luj1]

In 2019 the team switched to Unreal Engine
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/233860/view/1599265246183370950

Good news everyone! There has been a change of plans with development, and we have switched to the Unreal engine!

Now, what does that mean?

GOOD SIDE:

• Amazing graphics with little effort
• Better performance
• Less work for us long-term, as we don't have to worry about engine bugs and features. We can focus more on gameplay.
• Fancy features, like maybe cloth physics for example
• Better stability probably?
• New pathfinding system

BAD SIDE:

• More work for us short-term, porting is a huge job
• We have less control over the engine
• Modding support will be more complicated, Unreal is a difficult engine to work with and has limitations in this respect. I don't know the engine well enough to say how exactly. The likely scenario is "more powerful but more difficult". The FCS will remain the same, but will control less stuff. Mod support will be a high priority for us though, so don't worry.
• Kenshi 1 update now uncertain:
  Here's the kicker: Porting Kenshi 1 to Unreal engine is now way more work than making Kenshi 2, because we have to port assets and make the old stuff work, where for Kenshi 2 we are making the assets from scratch in the Unreal-compatible way. We have started porting Kenshi 1, but I'm not sure whether to finish it because it is a lot of extra work and will delay Kenshi 2

 

[Lyre Mors]

Everytime you mention Kenshi, someone will reinstall it. Today that person is me!

My only hope is that Kenshi 2 doesn't take nearly as long to complete as the first one. It's already getting to be awhile without a great deal of solid news.

 

[vitellus]

even if was the same engine in a different land i would be absolutely satisfied. there's only incline from the first one, so i am super excited for this! lo-fi games better not fuck this up!

 

[luj1]

It's already getting to be awhile without a great deal of solid news.

4 years since the last big announcement (switch to UE)

 

[Takamori]

Well hope they don't take 10 fucking autistic years like the previous one this time.

 

[musouking]

Hope they hire a professional translation team this time.
Kenshi 1 is basically machine-translated and I argued with someone else in steam cummunity for translation. The moderator is like Uhhh ur right, ur reasonable too

 

[Kruyurk]

BOATS!!!!





These are not mere artworks, these are undeniable proofs of the coming of boats. The second one was my desktop wallpaper for a good while. And all that with a prestigious Mœbius style, le plaisir.
I have mentally prepared for some boat action in Kenshi 2 for several years now. If that is not in the game, video games are over for me and I self-eject.

 

[luj1]

This swordpunk setting is cool, it reminds me of Samurai Jack

 

[Kruyurk]

I started reading Dune and it gives me some Kenshi vibes™, with the mix of SF and fantasy, the harsh desert environment, the feudal society, etc.

I hope the factions in Kenshi 2 will be a bit more developed and less stereotypical (the HN being almost only about fanaticism and purity, Shek Kingdom only about strength/violence, UC only about greed). It would be nice if they were more nuanced, so that choosing to ally with one would be more of a grey moral choice. In the first game the three major factions are all too skewed towards bad in every aspect. I am not asking for moral relativity everywhere or that there could be no evil faction, but just a bit more nuance, it would allow for better roleplaying.
Also it would be nice if there were more politic/diplomacy with the factions (between them and with the player). It is so funny in Kenshi 1 when the HN sends its delegation to you for prayer day.

 

[POOPERSCOOPER]

First 1 seems intriguing. It's basically like no story or goal you kind of just work with the emergent systems right?

 

[Kruyurk]

First 1 seems intriguing. It's basically like no story or goal you kind of just work with the emergent systems right?

Pretty much, yes. There are not formal story or quest, but in my opinion the best way to play the game is to really roleplay. There is enough lore, interesting factions, places, etc, for you to make your own story. And the mechanics of the game themselves allow for a lot of roleplaying.

Since the game is hard at first, that the progression in power is slow and that it is heavy in mechanics but not as much in narrative elements, you will be tempted after a while to use the many unbalanced stuff and exploits you will find to progress faster. But by doing so you will most probably ruin the game for yourself and it will just appear as a pointless pile of jank. Instead you should take your time and try to roleplay, appreciate the journey rather than try to power through to its end.

 

[HoboForEternity]

Most worried about modding capabilities. Mods like more reactive world, etc seems to be very important for a lot of players, i hope they can accomodate this somehow

 

[luj1]

Most worried about modding capabilities. Mods like more reactive world, etc seems to be very important for a lot of players, i hope they can accomodate this somehow

• Modding support will be more complicated, Unreal is a difficult engine to work with and has limitations in this respect. I don't know the engine well enough to say how exactly. The likely scenario is "more powerful but more difficult". The FCS will remain the same, but will control less stuff. Mod support will be a high priority for us though, so don't worry.

 

[Lyre Mors]

At least 8 years in development, if not 10. Calling it now.

 

[The_Sloth_Sleeps]

No in game footage?

 

[Kruyurk]

No in game footage?

Not much to see of the second game yet. There are just a few screenshots showing river raptors, hivers, and some buildings, scattered through a few blog posts (https://lofigames.com/category/updates/). It is only things that were already in the first game, now prettier.

 

[TheDarkUrge]

First 1 seems intriguing. It's basically like no story or goal you kind of just work with the emergent systems right?

Yeah I didn't expect much but it turned out to be really interesting. Don't look up anything about how the game works and just explore you will find something to do for sure.

 

[vitellus]

First 1 seems intriguing. It's basically like no story or goal you kind of just work with the emergent systems right?

protip: join shenobi thieves to get access to a trader of illegal goods, hire a few mooks and have them max out their athletics skills, send these fuckers with the largest backpacks you can muster down into all the towns in the swamp and buy all the hash you can afford and then run that shit up to heng and heft and make stupid monies. you can keep this operation going on in the background while you use the profits to start your base. i may be wrong on heft and heng but know that you can make lots of money selling hash in the empire to the thieves since they're the only people who will purchase it. i love that fucking game and absolutely cannot wait until 2 comes out. this will be absolutely a day one purchase for me.

 

[The_Sloth_Sleeps]

First 1 seems intriguing. It's basically like no story or goal you kind of just work with the emergent systems right?

Yeah I didn't expect much but it turned out to be really interesting. Don't look up anything about how the game works and just explore you will find something to do for sure.

I also totally misunderstood the game at first. I thought it was some weird Jap anime tribute thingy. It was actually totally different and much deeper an experience than I imagined.

 

[Shaki]

I'm still amazed that Kenshi actually came out, I remember seeing some early previews in like fucking 2008 and I was hyped af for the concept, but also 100% sure it would be another vapourware that'll never see the light of day. Then I forgot about it for ~10 years, and suddenly that weird little project I've seen all these years ago, is actually here, it's real and a really good fucking game. I'm a believer now, no matter how many years the sequel will take, I'm sure we'll get it at some point, and it will be worth the wait.