The first Kingdom Come Deliverance left a strong impression on me when I first played it in 2018. No other game managed to reach the same level of immersion, offering a living world that truly made you feel like a part of it, with significant consequences for your actions, choices, and dialogues with characters. Now, after seven years of waiting, Warhorse Studios returns with a sequel that improves upon almost everything! A stronger story, more enjoyable gameplay, stunning graphics, and more realistic dialogues—all of which come together to make Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 an unmissable RPG experience. Here’s our full Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Review!
A Story of Nobility and Revenge
The story picks up immediately after the events of the first game, continuing the journey of Henry, who now serves as an assistant and bodyguard to Sir Hans Capon. Together, they embark on a journey through Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic), rallying nobles and lords to support King Wenceslas against King Sigismund, both of whom are locked in a battle for control of the kingdom.
This is a historically accurate story that took place in 15th-century Bohemia, though Warhorse Studios has made some narrative adjustments to fit their dramatic storytelling. The sequel is directly tied to the first game, featuring many returning characters and references to past events. If you haven’t played the first game, you might want to read a summary of its story before diving into the second installment.
Nobility is at the heart of the story. Henry, once a mere blacksmith, has now risen to become a commander of Sir Hans Capon’s guard, journeying across the land for the noble cause of restoring the rightful king of Bohemia and defeating Sigismund’s army, which seeks to take control of the kingdom by force. Sigismund’s forces use intimidation and violence to coerce nobles and citizens into swearing allegiance to him.
On the other hand, Henry also has a personal vendetta against a man named Istvan Toth, who was responsible for murdering his family and stealing the sword crafted by Henry’s illegitimate father. This dual motivation adds layers to Henry’s character—on one side, he’s committed to helping Sir Hans, but on the other, he is driven by vengeance for his family. This inner conflict makes him a deeply complex and compelling protagonist.
When it comes to characters and dialogue, this is a crucial aspect of a massive RPG like Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. The game is filled with main and side characters that bring the world to life through impressive voice acting and animation, making their interactions feel incredibly real. The world feels alive, especially because characters remember your actions, whether good or bad. Some may reward you, while others may report you to the authorities!
Conversations also provide moral choices—you can persuade or intimidate people, and your decisions may determine the life or death of certain key characters. Though the game ultimately leads to a single ending, the journey will be different for every player due to their unique choices.
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Read More: Kingdom Come Deliverance II Explained: Everything You Need to Know About the Sequel
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The Most Realistic and Challenging Combat Yet!
Combat is Extremely Difficult!
The first game was notorious for its high difficulty level, and the sequel maintains this approach. It remains one of the most challenging RPG experiences, with realistic survival mechanics that can be overwhelming for some players. Newcomers will not find this game easy—there’s no hand-holding. If you enjoyed the first game, you’ll love this one. If not, then this sequel likely won’t change your mind.
Combat is frequent, meaning you’ll be using melee weapons often, which is where the game’s challenge truly shines. You must choose your attack angles carefully, anticipate enemy moves, and master various combo attacks to gain the upper hand.
However, enemies are just as skilled as you, blocking your strikes and countering them with perfect timing, which quickly drains your stamina. To succeed, you must carefully balance offense and defense, attacking and blocking from five different angles. Taking on multiple enemies at once is often a death sentence—this isn’t a fantasy game where you can fight off dozens of foes like a superhero!
The game offers a wide variety of weapons, including one-handed and two-handed swords, shields, maces, and axes, all of which were historically used in medieval warfare. The crossbow makes its debut in this game, along with a primitive early firearm, which can significantly impact battles.
Unfortunately, combat isn’t flawless. Some minor animation issues can make blocking unreliable, occasionally leading to unfair deaths. Hopefully, these will be addressed in future updates.
For those who prefer stealth, stealth mechanics are available, allowing you to assassinate enemies with a dagger. However, sneaking is extremely difficult, as enemies have unpredictable movement patterns, making it easy to get caught.
Realism is at the Core of Everything
Just like its predecessor, realism is the foundation of this game.
- Henry must sleep every night—if you neglect rest, he will become drowsy and eventually collapse.
- Food and drink are essential—you must ensure your food isn’t spoiled, or Henry will fall ill.
- Armor and weapons degrade—frequent battles will damage your gear, requiring repairs and maintenance.
- Injuries require proper treatment—wounds must be bandaged and cleaned before health is restored.
- Poisoning is deadly—you must drink an antidote to survive.
- Personal hygiene matters—if you smell bad, people will avoid speaking to you until you clean up!
These mechanics make the experience incredibly immersive, forcing you to think and act like a real medieval warrior.
RPG Mechanics & Progression
Unlike traditional RPGs with skill trees, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 requires you to improve abilities through practice:
- Want to become a better rider? Spend more time on horseback.
- Want to pick tougher locks? Start with easier locks and gradually work your way up.
The same applies to combat, stealth, and dialogue skills. You must actively engage in these actions to enhance your proficiency, making progression feel more organic.
Additionally, charisma plays a huge role in dialogue choices. Your ability to persuade others depends on your clothing, speech, and actions, reinforcing the game’s emphasis on realism.
Graphics, Sound, and Technical Performance
The Best Use of CryEngine Yet
The game is built on CryEngine, the same engine behind Crysis, Ryse, and Hunt: Showdown. Warhorse has pushed the engine to its limits, delivering breathtaking visuals. The handcrafted world, from landscapes to characters and animals, is stunningly detailed.
The world is so immersive that sometimes, you’ll find yourself simply exploring on horseback, appreciating the scenery rather than focusing on quests. It’s a level of beauty and immersion comparable to Elden Ring (2022).
Performance Issues
On PS5, the game offers:
- Quality Mode: 2K resolution upscaled to 4K at 30 FPS
- Performance Mode: 1080p upscaled to 2K at 60 FPS
While the game mostly maintains stable performance, occasional frame drops and minor bugs can disrupt the experience. Hopefully, these will be patched post-launch.
Outstanding Sound Design & Music
The environmental sound design is phenomenal—every sound, from horses’ hooves to distant conversations and thunderstorms, enhances the world’s authenticity.
The orchestral soundtrack is one of the best in years, blending medieval folk music with grand fantasy compositions, reminiscent of The Witcher series.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Review Final Verdict
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 refines everything from the first game with better gameplay, animation, and storytelling. While difficulty and realism make it a niche experience, it’s a fantastic RPG for the right audience.
