Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Role-playing action from the first person in the vast open world of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a direct continuation of the 2018 game and invites players back 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 Wenceslaus and his brother Sigismund, Henry must prove himself and influence the course of history. The game offers dozens of hours of engaging narrative 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 richness, whether it is natural landscapes or urban 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 steadily in 4K on high settings without the use of upscalers.

The authors of the Kingdom Come series used a unique approach to shaping 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 Wenceslaus. His inability to govern the country leads to a crisis: his younger brother, King Sigismund of Hungary, begins a civil war, seizing power with the help of Cumann mercenaries and brutally suppressing any resistance.

The story remains personal — about a fictional character named Henry, who could very well have existed in reality. Yet 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 adds special value to the narrative. Jošt of Moravia, who would later become 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 character, is portrayed 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 daily concerns of village life and helping his father in the forge. After the attack by Sigismund's troops, his native village of Skalitz 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, retrieve 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 Kobyla, the leader of the resistance against the invaders. As he unravels intrigues, he learns the secret of his origins, 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 stronger. 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 vast city of Kutná Hora. These regions were recreated based on real maps, but the developers did not chase after sizes, instead focusing on content.

At the beginning, Henry explores the first half of the world, where nature dominates 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 depth and realism to the landscape. Numerous water bodies — rivers, streams, and lakes — not only enliven the surroundings but also serve as natural landmarks. 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 feel 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 features many important locations: shops and markets, forges and workshops, residential quarters, taverns with gambling and colorful patrons, as well as other entertainment 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 — skilled 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 and from the city daily for their affairs. Traders have become smarter: constant attempts to lower the price will anger them, and prices are determined, among other things, 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.

Additionally, 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. 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 is sensitive 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. Conversely, if he is well-dressed, clean, and smells pleasant — he will rise much higher on the social ladder.

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

Fast travel points in Kingdom Come 2 are located in large settlements, while story locations are often situated much further away — a horsetrained to follow the path without player involvement is essential. In the spirit of RDR2, fast travel is accompanied by random events: packs of wolves lurk on forest paths, caravans and travelers journey along the roads, and bandits lie in wait in ambushes. All this together creates a credible depiction of medieval society — a vibrant, 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. However, key information about quests and hidden locations is not presented directly — it must be obtained by asking innkeepers and locals. Sometimes, for the sake of realism, one will have to search for targets based on descriptions or visual clues.

The first part of Kingdom Come was just a prologue, introducing the characters and antagonists, but it did not give Indřich the 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 Ptačík - embarks on a diplomatic mission to Otto von Bergov, a supporter of Sigismund, who overthrew King Václav. On the way, the group makes a stop by the lake, where the heroes are attacked by bandits. During the skirmish, Henry is injured, falls off a cliff, and loses all his skills from the first part.

After recovering at the local healer, the heroes, dressed in ragged clothes, reach the castle of Trosky, where they are driven away. Subsequently, 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.

In the prologue, the game briefly introduces the basics of the combat system, survival mechanics, and potion brewing, and through flashbacks - the key events of the first part, so playing Deliverance before the sequel is not necessary (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, having become a knight, participates in restoring the power of King Václav, while also seeking to retrieve his father's sword and avenge his parents' murderers. The main antagonist, King Sigismund, is portrayed as plausibly vile, with a recognizable and still relevant life philosophy. The story also weaves in a down-to-earth layer, showing 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 conclusion offers one ending, differing only in variations of final dialogues. The writers skillfully combine the grim realities of the Middle Ages with situational humor, not forgetting about deep reflections, gray morality, dilemmas, and difficult choices that influence 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 womenwho 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 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 at a high level — the voices and ambient sounds organically complement the atmosphere of what is happening. The musical accompaniment is also impressive: a symphonic orchestra and opera vocalists 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 just serving as quest-givers glued to one location, as in other modern RPGs. A secondary character, a crooked bandit and marginal, may have a deeper side, transforming into a defender of women and the unarmed in a critical situation.

The relationships between characters and the hero constantly change: a temporary ally may 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 constantly reassess their understanding of what is happening.

The dialogue system has been significantly expanded — characters have become more talkative, quick responses have appeared, 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 style. Everyone speaks according to their status, situation, and motivation: Henry and Ptaček engage in lighthearted banter, the nobility starts off lofty but relaxes after a pint, soldiers are rough but enjoy jokes. Almost every phrase reveals something about the character, plot, or era, becoming an important part of the narrative.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is built 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 intrusive 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 of coin minting, while working with a 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 from an era when any event was accompanied by a touch of mysticism or superstition. They have a huge variety, allowing for anything the soul desires, they evoke emotions in the player in case of success better than others — 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 seriousand 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 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, while preserving the depth of the gameplay and making 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 by a mechanic of 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 you to keep moving. 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 gameto entrust this to blacksmiths.

Kingdom Come 2 remains true to realism and does not follow typical gaming conventions. If the character cannot fight, even a peasant will defeat him. To sneak around stealthily, you first need to remove noisy armor and change into black clothing. Between tasks, you have to cover large distances, accompany characters, look for shelter, provisions, and places to wash and repair.

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 for quick changing of clothes has been added with three sets of clothing, and belts and pouches provide convenient access to weapons and consumables.

The character development system is two-tiered: the main level of the hero grows parallel to the leveling up of individual skills. Frequent use of the sword will increase the ability to wield cold weapons, running and physical activity will boost endurance, while successful dialogues and reading books will enhance eloquence. For improving specific skills, the player earns skill points that can be allocated to any development branch, regardless of the source of their acquisition.

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: combat shouts demoralize opponents, trading skills provide discounts, and stealth perks improve the ability to move unnoticed.

The player has access to a wide range of activities. Alchemy allows the brewing of potions with various effects from gathered herbs; this process has become more convenient — boiling stages and a chance to obtain a weakened variant upon error have been added. Blacksmithing, although monotonous, allows for the creation of powerful equipment. In gambling games, for example, dice, one 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.