If you’ve ever yearned for the magic of your first Skyrim experience, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 may just be the game you’ve been waiting for. This highly anticipated sequel brings a sophisticated medieval world to life, filled with intense action, gripping storytelling, and combat that challenges your skills. Think of it as the next-level evolution of the RPG genre, similar to how The Witcher 3 set new standards for CD Projekt Red.
While the game brings improvements and refinements across the board, it’s not without its technical hiccups and design dilemmas. But despite these flaws, it’s hard to deny its greatness, with a grand narrative and complex mechanics that draw you in and keep you invested for hours.
A Gripping Continuation of Henry’s Tale
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 picks up shortly after the events of its predecessor, immersing players in the medieval world of Bohemia, where politics, war, and intrigue unfold. If you missed the first game, you need not worry; the plot is easy to follow, with plenty of references and callbacks explained in context.
The protagonist, Henry – a blacksmith’s son turned warrior – finds himself deep in the midst of dynastic battles, joined by a memorable cast, including a bumbling yet endearing liege lord and notable historical figures. The plot remains compelling, pushing players through emotional and politically charged moments as they fight their way through a medieval conflict.
The Marvel That Is Kuttenberg
Without a doubt, the most awe-inspiring feature of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the vast city of Kuttenberg. It’s not just a place to visit; it’s an experience. Drawing inspiration from the real-world town, the city’s size and detail are nothing short of breathtaking. The layout matches the modern street grid almost exactly, offering an incredible sense of immersion.
As you walk the cobbled streets, you can easily lose hours exploring the city, engaging in quests, and witnessing the city’s life unfold. Whether you’re helping resolve disputes between rival sword schools or investigating a grisly serial killer, Kuttenberg is packed with stories that demand attention.
The Quest That Keeps You Hooked
The game offers over 100 quests, and nearly every single one is memorable. Far beyond the usual fetch quests or bandit hunts, each side story is imbued with unique twists, emotional depth, and impactful decisions. From personal moments of turmoil to larger political decisions, the quest variety is astonishing.
Some quests may fall short in execution, such as a brief underground horror quest that didn’t fully deliver on its dread. However, the sheer quality and depth of the majority of the side content make even the longer 120-hour playthrough fly by.
Breathtaking Landscapes and Dynamic World
The expansive open-world maps of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are filled with sprawling meadows, dense forests, and stunning vistas. While there’s not a huge variety in the geography, the game’s setting reflects the late medieval Bohemian landscape perfectly. Though I found the lack of access to churches somewhat odd – they would have been fascinating to explore – the world still feels alive with history.
A Thrilling and Thoughtful Main Story
The main quest feels like a full-fledged war movie, packed with intense emotional highs and lows. There are moments that will make you cheer, and others that might bring you to tears. The narrative’s maturity and historical authenticity add weight to its questions about what it means to be a hero or a villain.
The final encounters are a masterstroke in RPG storytelling, pushing you to reevaluate your actions, motives, and beliefs. The stakes are high, and the choices you make have a lasting impact on the outcome, making it a truly unforgettable journey.
A Few Technical Hiccups
The game’s ambition sometimes causes conflicts in design. A prime example is the Hungarian Camp mission. After I had spent hours preparing to infiltrate and defeat a heavily fortified military camp, I was shocked to find myself asked to infiltrate the same camp as a spy, despite having decimated it earlier in the game. This odd scenario forced me to sneak around and hide my past actions, which broke immersion.
While the rest of the game is filled with thrilling, thoughtful moments, this frustrating instance is an unfortunate blip in an otherwise fantastic experience.
Combat, Blacksmithing, and More
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 refines the already excellent combat system from the first game. Melee combat remains skill-based, offering a clean, smooth, and varied experience. Archery has also seen significant improvements.
A new blacksmithing minigame lets you forge your own weapons, which is an exciting addition, though the mechanics can feel a little clunky at times. The alchemy system has been revamped for greater ease of use. Meanwhile, the new perk system adds depth to your character progression, offering meaningful choices that make your journey even more engaging.
Technical Performance and Optimization
Surprisingly, the game runs incredibly well, even on high-end systems like my 4070 Ti. At 4K resolution with very high settings, I didn’t experience any significant performance drops. Given that the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance still struggles with optimization on some machines, the progress made here is truly impressive. While there are a few minor bugs, most are harmless and easy to overlook.
Verdict: A Game to Remember
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 combines the best of linear storytelling with an expansive open world, offering both structured narrative moments and freeform exploration. Though it sometimes struggles to balance these design elements, the game’s masterful combat system, richly detailed world, and unforgettable quests make it one of the most rewarding RPGs to play today. Its depth, quality writing, and thoughtful main story will stay with me for a long time.
