I believe it is not appropriate to begin this review of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 with the usual introduction, which mentions the gaming industry's shortcomings and how everything has been going downhill lately. If we were to realistically assess the situation, things haven't just gone wrong—they have waded deep into the mud of wrongdoing and have begun taking on pathological forms in game design for quite some time now.
However, a glimmer of hope always shows us that the battle has just begun and that regular games can emerge into the light of day, untainted by political decisions. A prime example of this was Kingdom Come: Deliverance—a title that surprised us at the time with its RPG mechanics and took a proud place among games emerging from the Eastern European bloc.
If you want to play a game we discussed in the intro, check out our Sniper Elite Resistance review!
The Look and Feel of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
If you're wondering what's so specific about that bloc, I'll say that from this part of the world, we often see games untouched by modern ideologies, showing that the people behind them didn't go through school for anything, as we like to say. One particular man from the Czech Republic wanted to showcase his project to the world and fueled by historical inspiration; he aimed to etch his name into gaming history.
Well, dear readers, if you have ever wondered what it would be like to live in 15th-century Bohemia, you could have experienced it in the first person. After spending an enormous amount of time researching history, Kingdom Come brought to our screens a romanticized version of mud, manure, and the primitiveness of the medieval Slavic mindset. Although Bohemia is the subject of many romantic stories from this period, knights, insolence, and the aforementioned excremental creations took center stage, reminding us that we live in somewhat happier times.
Henry of Skalitz, the son of a local blacksmith, undoubtedly has a place in the pages of Czech history. Though he did not exist as an actual historical figure, he faithfully demonstrated the social conditions in the Kingdom and the relationships among people—how corrupt the nobility was and how distant they were from the common folk. This was wrapped in a skillful and humorous narrative and a complex and slow combat system.
The Gameplay
For hardcore RPG fans, this was a veritable smorgasbord. If you wanted to finish this game quickly, there was no theoretical chance of doing so in under 60 hours. You needed to absorb that entire landscape. Dressed in an outdated version of the CryEngine, Kingdom Come: Deliverance stood tall and unapologetically stole our time.
Once the controversy subsided—the one caused by people with cognitive impairments who ignore the history of Central and Eastern Europe because they've only ever seen Europe on postcards—it was time to take stock of the impressions and count the earnings. In the end, Kingdom Come: Deliverance was profitable, and plans for a sequel were already in full swing. We hadn't heard much about the game because the lead designer had decided to retreat into his hole, work silently, and surprise the public. And that's precisely what happened.
Honestly, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 caught us off guard. After the announcement, no one knew what to expect. Were there improved mechanics? Could we do everything we could in the previous installment? The simple answer was: YES, you can do all that and much more. If I were to break everything down, I'd be diving deep into spoiler territory. The reality is that Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 showed excellent progress and a narrative that moved in the right direction. Some details are problematic, but I won't go into them because they are optional and won't sit well with old-school players in today's political climate. EMPHASIS ON OPTIONAL! They had to check all the boxes due to the still-present "state of the scene."
The Campaign Of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
The campaign follows our Czech lad Henry, who has risen through the ranks and become the bodyguard of his friend Hans Capon. Although they are supposedly very close, the class difference between them is highly evident, and Hans will frequently "put Henry in his place" throughout the campaign. The entire social friction of that period in Bohemian history is beautifully depicted, and if you have patience, you'll enjoy some genuinely well-written dialogues. The quality of writing has significantly improved compared to the previous game, which is evident in the quest design and dialogues that always carry some clever remark that history buffs will find amusing.
Compared to its predecessor, this game is nearly twice as large. It features a vast and tightly interconnected world. This game was supposed to be KCD1, but there wasn't enough funding. We even had the chance to hear a similar statement from the game's lead designer.
Is It Like A Movie?
The campaign's opening feels like the beginning of a well-produced medieval-themed film directed by a devotee of Guy Ritchie's work. Witty dialogues and a few flashbacks mixed with a dark theme of revenge will instantly draw you into the atmosphere. While Henry tries to save Trosky Castle, in the chaos of battle, he asks himself: "Why do I need all of this?" An excellent question because, between his hatred for Sigismund and preserving his own life, the line is thin. At one point, everything seemed like a simple task.
Henry and Radzig had a mission—to deliver a message to one of King Wenceslaus IV's potential allies while he was imprisoned. Meanwhile, as Sigismund enjoys his usurped throne of Bohemia, this merry band must navigate the hardships standing in their way. If this sounds like a solid plot, wait to see what's in store as the campaign progresses.
Let's say that between life and death, Henry and Radzig are separated only by one wedding and a handful of witty remarks: an excellent introduction, no doubt.
The continuation of the campaign gets tangled due to the sheer number of things you can do from the very start, but if you stick to the main story, you'll have an enriching experience until the very end. In addition to the main quest, countless side quests offer multiple ways to be completed. Old-school RPG to the bone, as some would say.
What Are The Weapons Like In Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
The combat system seems slightly simplified. Even experienced players sometimes struggled with the old system, but it has been somewhat refined, making moves respond much better to commands. Henry will execute a last-minute dodge or parry in time. Developers spent much time refining this combat system, and it shows. You could stomach this one if you didn't like the previous combat system. But if you were categorically against it, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 will still not "sit well" with you.
If you're a fan of old-fashioned steel or a good mace, you can swing away at peasants to your heart's content, practicing until the moment the guards arrest you. At that point, the only path left for you is the pillory or various punishments that lower Henry's morale and reputation in society. The sheer number of small moments like these makes this story and experience excellent.
The mechanics offered by the game are numerous, but there isn't a significant evolution compared to the previous installment. Alchemy is still here, but the whole system has been streamlined, so brewing potions won't be as tedious an experience. Everything flows more smoothly, and don't worry—you won't lose your knowledge of distilling rakija. Plenty of such recipes exist; every type of alcohol is essential for Henry's well-being.
The Look and Feel
Graphically, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 looks much better than the original. It's no longer a "Can it run Crysis?" meme because it's not overly demanding on hardware, and object rendering in the distance, map detailing, and character facial animations are all well done. The improved lighting effects are beautiful, allowing you to capture some truly impressive screenshots in the game. It might look like a postcard from Rtanj or something like that.
The entire environment exudes a strong Slavic vibe—from wise old grandmothers to the female characters and the mentality upon which they are designed. I believe this game will run smoothly on above-average machines and provide a good experience for everyone. From the very start, it feels more technically polished. Warhorse Studios' progress in working with this engine is unmistakable.
The World of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
If you thought they forgot about us diversity lovers, don't worry; we're covered there as well, and this brings us to the OPTIONAL part that most would rather forget. But don't worry—it requires a separate playthrough and the right conditions must be precisely met in dialogues. We'll disregard that.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 may seem like an overwhelming read that will take months to get through, but the entire game flows so smoothly that you won't feel stuck in a chore. The whole world where the campaign unfolds is alive and active; NPCs are always in a rush, and things are constantly happening. That's how much attention has been given to design.
For one group of players, the downside is likely that quests don't have standardized solutions, meaning you'll have to work hard to follow the dialogue. The essence of every RPG of this type is reading and following the story. Half-brain mechanics won't work here because there are no handy quest markers. That means you have to explore. In that regard, it's somewhat reminiscent of Skyrim but at least ten times more interesting. And I mustn't forget the most important thing—your loyal companion "Mutt" follows you everywhere, and you can use him as an excellent ally in every fight, provided you complete the quest at the beginning of the game.
In Conclusion
In the end, Warhorse Studios has given us a pleasant surprise to start the year, and I hope for the success of the additional content they have planned. Minor narrative issues and occasional technical "hurdles" aren't enough to stand in the way of the success this RPG could achieve.
The progress in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is visible, and this game has truly realized the original vision of the first instalment. With well-written dialogues, a simplified combat system, and a solid horseback riding model, this is fantastic entertainment for fans of the genre. It's a great way to kick off 2025!
Game Rating:
I'd rate Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 8.7/10. The game shines with its intricate storytelling, deep RPG mechanics, and historical immersion, but some aspects, including the combat system and occasional forced inclusions, might not appeal to all players
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Recommended Age:
I recommend this game for ages 16 and up. The complex mechanics, mature themes, and slower pacing make it best suited for older teenagers and adults who appreciate deep, historically rich RPGs.