Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

A role-playing action game from the first person in the vast open world of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a direct continuation of the 2018 game and offers a return to the realities of medieval Bohemia (the territory of modern-day Czech Republic) in the fifteenth century. Everything that players loved about the original — graphics, scale, and attention to detail — has become even better. Preserving historical accuracy and an advanced combat system based on inverse kinematics, the developers made the gameplay more flexible and allowed the use of firearms and crossbows in battle.

The sequel continues the story of Henry: he has matured, has become a skilled swordsman, and is ready to write his name in the chronicles. Finding himself in the midst of a civil war between King Wenceslas and his brother Sigismund, Henry must prove himself and influence the course of history. The game offers dozens of hours of engaging story with variable development and cinematic cutscenes.

The graphics of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 significantly surpass the original and can compete with modern gaming hits. The world impresses with its detail and filling, whether it is natural landscapes or city streets — there are many detailed objects per unit area. The voxel tracing technology provides realistic lighting and believable reflections, differing from traditional ray tracing, it does not create a high load on the system. Character models and their animations have been significantly improved, and the facial expressions have become lively and expressive. The main achievement is optimization — the sequel runs stably in 4K on high settings without the use of upscalers.

The authors of the Kingdom Come series used a unique approach to forming their gaming universe, resulting in a truly authentic virtual world. The events of the series take place in Bohemia — a region located in the heart of the Holy Roman Empire. After the death of Charles IV, one of its greatest emperors, the throne is inherited by his weak and indecisive son Wenceslas. His inability to govern the country leads to a crisis: his younger brother, King Sigismund of Hungary, begins the civil war, seizing power with the help of Cumans mercenaries and brutally suppressing any resistance.

The story remains personal — about a fictional character named Henry, who could very well have existed in reality. But it is masterfully woven into historical and well-documented events. Against the backdrop of royal intrigues and wars of medieval Europe unfolds a story about the feudal order and the hard life of an ordinary person in a harsh, fantasy-free Middle Ages.

Almost all secondary characters are real historical figures, which gives the narrative special value. Jošt of Moravia, who would later become the King of Germany, appears as a slippery intriguer, changing allies like gloves. The stern lord Otto von Bergov believes in the right of the strong but shows a willingness to negotiate. The future Czech commander Jan Žižka dreams of a better future for Bohemia, but for now, he resorts to banditry. Our companion Jan Ptáček, also a historical figure, is depicted as a young and inexperienced nobleman, prone to showing off in front of commoners, drinking, and courting girls.

At the beginning of the first game, Henry was an ordinary commoner, whose life was limited to the everyday concerns of village life and helping his father in the forge. After the attack by Sigismund's troops, his native village of Skalica was burned to the ground, his father's house was looted and destroyed, and his family perished. This tragic event turned Henry's life upside down: from an ordinary village youth, he became a refugee driven by a thirst for revenge. Having lost everything, he vows to take revenge, reclaim the stolen family sword, and find his place in the harsh world of Bohemia.

During his journey, Henry becomes a vassal of the local noble Radzig Kobyl, the leader of the resistance against the invaders. Unraveling intrigues, he learns the secret of his origin, which connects him to larger political events. The story of the original game has an open ending: some questions remain unanswered, and Sigismund's power only grows. In the end, Henry receives a new quest, a setup for the continuation of the plot in the sequel.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 offers a completely new game world, exceeding the territory of the first part, but divided into two large areas: the Bohemian paradise with small settlements and villages around the castle of Trosky and the huge city of Kutná Hora. These regions were recreated based on real maps, but the developers did not chase after size, instead focusing on content.

At the beginning, Henry explores the first half of the world, where nature reigns over civilization. The landscape impresses with its natural diversity: dense coniferous and deciduous forests give way to picturesque valleys and fertile fields, while rocky hills transition into mountain ranges, adding volume and realism to the landscape. Numerous bodies of water — rivers, streams, and lakes — not only enliven the surrounding environment but also serve as natural landmarks. The careful detailing of natural objects combined with quality lighting creates truly picturesque views, while a dynamic ecosystem with animals and vegetation, complemented by changing times of day and weather conditions, makes the world truly alive.

The second area of the game is centered around Kuttenberg (Kutná Hora) — the center of silver mining, recreated with impressive architectural and historical accuracy. Accessible later in the story, Kutná Hora has many important features: shops and markets, forges and workshops, residential quarters, taverns with gambling and colorful visitors, as well as other entertainments typical of that era.

Endless fields, narrow streets of medieval towns, and cozy little villages not only look authentic, they evoke emotions. Instead of ultra-realistic textures — competent art direction and manual detailing.

Unlike the "plastic" locations of modern games, Bohemia in Kingdom Come 2 lives its own life. Each NPC exists within a well-thought-out social system, has daily responsibilities and a routine, which is vividly manifested in Kutná Hora, where part of the population lives in suburban villages and travels to the city and back daily for their business. Merchants have become smarter: constant attempts to lower prices will anger them, and prices are determined in part by the hero's reputation. Ordinary townsfolk do not just rush around the city, but discuss events and sometimes provide useful information about quests or secrets of the world.

Moreover, the residents have their own habits and unique personalities. For example, a strong blacksmith is more prone to conflicts, while an elderly scribe avoids them. The group behavior of NPCs has also been improved: they react to incidents in the city, wars, criminal events, and public gatherings, changing their plans accordingly.

The world reacts sensitively to the protagonist's condition: NPCs notice the hero, assess his appearance, reputation, and even smell before making decisions. A dirty and smelly ragamuffin will face distrust even with noble origins. He, dressed expensively, clean, and smelling pleasant — will climb the social ladder much further.

Stolen items are now recognized by their owners: if Henry was seen near the crime scene, trouble will arise. You can always pay, negotiate, or resort to violence, but if you steal too often, the hero will gain a reputation as a thief, and NPCs will start paying closer attention to their belongings. Punishments have become harsher — for serious crimes, one can end up in stocks, receive a criminal brand, or even be hanged.

Fast travel points in Kingdom Come 2 are located in major settlements, while story locations are often situated much further away — you cannot do without a horse that has been trained to follow the path without player involvement. In the spirit of RDR2, fast travel is accompanied by random events: forest paths are guarded by packs of wolves, caravans and travelers roam the roads, and bandits lie in wait in ambushes. All this together creates a credible picture of medieval society — a living, constantly changing world where events occur independently of the player's presence.

The map marks basic survival objects — trading posts, forges, and washing places. As active quests accumulate, the map gradually fills with markers. At the same time, key information about quests and hidden locations is not provided directly — it must be obtained by asking innkeepers and locals. Sometimes, for the sake of realism, you will have to search for targets based on descriptions or visual hints.

The first part of Kingdom Come was just a prologue, introducing the characters and antagonists, but it did not give Indřich a chance for revenge. The sequel continues the story almost from the end of the first game, expanding into a full plot and involving more historical figures, including the national hero of the Czech Republic, Jan Žižka of Trocnov, with whom the population of Bohemia must unite against King Sigismund.

Indřich, accompanied by his friend - Sir Jan Ptáčík - embarks on a diplomatic mission to Otto von Bergov, a supporter of Sigismund, who overthrew King Václav. On the way, the group stops by a lake, where the heroes are attacked by bandits. During the skirmish, Henry is injured, falls off a cliff, and loses all the skills from the first part.

After recovering at the local healer, the heroes, dressed in ragged clothes, make their way to the castle of Trosky, where they are driven away. Later, they end up in a tavern, get into a fight, and find themselves in stocks. From this moment, the main game begins: Henry must find a way to complete the diplomatic mission.

The prologue briefly introduces the basics of the combat system, survival mechanics, and potion-making, and through flashbacks, it covers key events from the first part, so it is not necessary to play Deliverance before the sequel (but, of course, it is possible). For the lazy, the developers have posted the full story of the first part on their YouTube channel.

of Kingdom Come 2 offers a comprehensive narrative spanning dozens of hours, revealing the struggle for

power in Bohemia with the intrigues and betrayals of the medieval nobility. Henry, who has become a knight, participates in restoring King Václav's power while also seeking to reclaim his father's sword and avenge his parents' murderers. The main antagonist, King Sigismund, is portrayed as convincingly vile, with a recognizable and still relevant life philosophy. The story also weaves in a down-to-earth layer, showcasing the everyday relationships and adventures of the characters.

The main story arc of Kingdom Come 2 is quite linear, and any attempts to deviate from it lead to an early ending. The game's finale offers one ending, differing only in variations of final dialogues. The writers skillfully combine the grim realities of the Middle Ages with situational humor, while not forgetting about deep reflections, gray morality, dilemmas, and difficult choices that affect the development of the story.

Deliverance 2 is not afraid to raise themes of sexuality, and the writers do not bend to the prohibitions on so-called "objectification": the hero constantly encounters women who can be charmed - from young healers to noble widows, and they themselves flirt with Henry, throwing him questions like "what do you like more?".

The storytelling has reached a new level: cutscenes have become more cinematic, the quality of animation has noticeably improved, and the characters convey emotions even more accurately thanks to motion capture technology. Henry and Jan turned out to be convincing heroes thanks to the excellent performances of Tom McKay and Luke Dale. The sound design is top-notch — the voices and ambient sounds organically complement the atmosphere of what is happening. The musical accompaniment is also impressive: a symphonic orchestra and opera singers for epic moments, while heartfelt village songs and lively tavern tunes add color to medieval life.

All characters in Deliverance 2 — from ordinary NPCs to iconic heroes — are artistically crafted, endowed with backstories and motivations. You believe in them. They are organically connected to each other and woven into the adventure, rather than simply serving as quest givers stuck in one location, as in other modern RPGs. A minor character, a crooked bandit and outcast, can have a deeper side, turning into a defender of women and the unarmed in a critical situation.

The relationships between characters and the hero constantly change: a temporary ally can turn out to be an enemy, and an enemy — a reliable partner, with all changes being logically justified. The triple plot twists are particularly impressive, forcing the player to frequently reassess their understanding of what is happening.

The dialogue system has been significantly expanded — characters have become more talkative, quick responses have been introduced, and there are more dialogue checks for persuasion, demonstration of knowledge, or intimidation of interlocutors. The writers at Warhorse have crafted lively dialogues without censorship and excessive literary flair. Each character speaks according to their status, situation, and motivation: Henry and Ptachek engage in light-hearted banter, the nobility starts off grandiloquent but relaxes after a pint, soldiers are rough but enjoy a good joke. Almost every phrase reveals something about the character, the plot, or the era, becoming an important part of the narrative.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 revolves around three types of quests: main, side, and secondary, each with its own game design.

Main storyline quests offer large-scale and memorable events without annoying notifications about their impact on the plot: military battles, castle sieges, reconciliation of warring churches, and other political intrigues. They follow a clear dramatic structure and present complex choices, developing slowly but becoming increasingly significant over time. Deepening the realism of the era, such quests often utilize medieval professions and phenomena — the corruption of the treasurer reveals details about coin minting, while working with the gravedigger shows an unusual side of the "profession."

Side quests are the best part of the game. They are thought out down to the smallest detail, allowing players to understand the daily life and worldview of people in an era when any event was accompanied by a pinch of mysticism or superstition. They have a huge variety, allowing for everything the soul desires; they evoke emotions in the player better than others in case of success — the search for the herbalist's missing daughter can turn into a tragedy or bring a valuable ally.

Side quests are well-developed episodes that can be both serious and amusing; they are not without simple human foolishness and greed, which makes them memorable. The gypsy baron uses the hero in his adventures, but completing a series of his tasks does not meet expectations. Reconciling villages where the conflict has lasted for generations brings a lot of headaches without much gratitude.

The authors of Deliverance 2 took into account the criticism of the first part and simplified complex elements, but preserved the depth of the gameplay and made it more natural and relaxed. Now the player's skill, the character's abilities, and tactical thinking determine the outcome of each battle. Instead of six attack directions, the combat system considers only four: up, down, left, and right. Strikes in the right direction have become deadlier.

Parries and counterattacks are now much easier. A parry blocks all strikes at the moment of execution, and there is enough time to deflect an attack. Instant blocking has been replaced with a mechanic for carefully tracking the opponent's movements. Combo strikes have been improved, and grabs and clinches have been added. Fighting multiple enemies has become more convenient. Opponents attack less frequently but coordinate their actions, forcing constant movement. The fight is rhythmic — it is necessary to alternate attacks, defense, and maneuvers.

New types of weapons have appeared: crossbows that penetrate armor; primitive firearms that deal huge damage but are inaccurate and slow; various types of polearms. Fistfights have become more realistic; now it is enough to monitor stamina and block strikes in time. Weapon and armor maintenance has been simplified, there is enough money in the game to assign this task to blacksmiths.

Kingdom Come 2 remains true to realism and does not follow typical gaming conventions. If a character cannot fight, even a peasant can defeat him. To sneak around, one must first remove noisy armor and change into black clothing. Between tasks, one has to cover large distances, escort characters, look for shelter, provisions, and places for washing and repairs.

As in the first part, the player must monitor Henry's basic needs: hunger, rest, and health, however, survival mechanics require less attention, making medieval life realistic but more balanced. Reputation, cleanliness, and clothing play a key role, as well as the hero's characteristics: strength, agility, endurance, and eloquence. The equipment system has been improved — the ability to quickly change outfits with three sets of clothing has been added, and belts and pouches provide easy access to weapons and consumables.

The character development system is two-tiered: the hero's main level grows alongside the improvement of individual skills. Frequent use of a sword will increase proficiency with melee weapons, running and physical activity will enhance stamina, while successful dialogues and reading books will improve eloquence. For increasing specific skills, the player receives skill points that can be allocated to any development branch, regardless of how they were obtained.

At the same time, the growth of the main level unlocks access to particularly valuable perks from another development branch. Although many skill points are awarded, the maximum level is capped at thirty, which forces players to decide on their play style in advance. Even secondary skills significantly affect gameplay: battle cries demoralize opponents, trading skills provide discounts, and stealth perks improve the ability to move unnoticed.

Players have access to a wide range of activities. Alchemy allows players to brew potions with various effects from gathered herbs; this process has become more convenient — boiling stages have been added, and there is a chance to get a weakened version in case of a mistake. Blacksmithing, although monotonous, offers the opportunity to create powerful equipment. In gambling, for example, dice, players can not only test their luck but also cheat. Hunting provides food and valuable materials for trade, while theft and lockpicking offer a quick path to wealth. By the way, lockpicks can sometimes be found in bird nests.