Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 isn’t your average open world adventure. It is brutal, challenging, and will push you to your limits, but it is also the most realistic experience I’ve ever had in the genre. There were times when I was so frustrated at how simple tasks like lockpicking or sneaking around in the dark felt, or how a one-on-one fight would mean the death of me, even after hours of playing. Even after forty hours and plenty of experience in all facets of life as Henry, I would still come up against a new challenge that held me back.
Whether that’s off-putting for you or not, that’s the truth of it. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is difficult, but it is also rewarding, intricately built, and breath-taking in its approach to storytelling and gameplay. There will be those of you who are put off in the first few hours because of the lack of hand-holding despite the hefty guide section in the menu. Yes, you’re given a wealth of information, but when you’re out there in the world, it’s more about trying new things, seeing how things work organically, and then learning from your mistakes.
As much as there were times I was ready to quit, there were so many other moments that I’ll cherish forever. Travelling across the Trosky region and taking in the gorgeous countryside, while visiting the little settlements and villages filled with people going about their daily lives, as so much fun. While the area was large, these pockets of civilisation felt intimate until you visit the huge castle in the middle, but that’s part of the story I’ll let you discover for yourself. When I entered the grand city in Kuttenberg in the second huge area of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, everything felt so much bigger.
There were so many vendors and people, plenty of guards patrolling the streets, and buildings bigger than any I’d experienced so far. Yet no matter where you are, there’s so much to get involved with, and every task takes time for you to engage in. Forging weapons at the blacksmith is an entire process, or crafting potions at an alchemy bench takes precision and time as well. Then there are the various traders, grocers, stables, bathhouses, butchers, tailors, and so much more. Then there are the taverns. Oh, the taverns. Hubs of drunk people and boisterous behaviour that provides plenty of excitement.
Without the main story or the abundance of side quests, you could quite easily live a life of your own in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. When it comes to the story, Warhorse Studios has made something deeper than before, driven by revenge and honour, as Henry does whatever it takes to protect Lord Capon and dethrone the cruel ruler Sigismund. While this feels like a historical epic set in early 15th century Bohemia, there is also a personal story that forces you to make some tough choices in every aspect of the game.
Whether during the main story or not, your actions and choices impact everything. From the way you dress to how you speak, people will treat you differently and react either more favourably or not depending on where you are. Your stats play a huge role in everything you do, and the dense levelling system gives you so much control to become exactly who you want to be. As you reach a new main level, you can assign perk points to everything that makes up your character. Also, the more you use stealth, ride your horse, utilise your pooch, fight with various weapons, and more, you’ll earn perk points for those specific traits.
It has plenty of depth and there are so many bonuses to how you choose to play. When it comes to the combat, fighting others can be tough. I spent most of my time wielding a sword and shield, and I had begun to master exactly when to strike or block, and even when to bother engaging or not. You can attack from above, below, to the left, or to the right, simply by tapping the right analogue stick. Then, when you strike you’ll hit in that direction, but this can also be used to block in the chosen direction. Some battles can take time, but there’s so much satisfaction in a slow and steady sword fight that ends up with you winning.
Managing your sleep, hunger, and cleanliness is a constant battle, and when you start to slip into tiredness or get hungry, Henry will let you know about it. If you start to smell, you better believe strangers will let you know, which can even effect how you’re treated by others. This is where KCD2 almost feels like a life sim at points, but it made me feel more immersed in this life I was living. I fell in love with simply existing in this world, and I became close to the characters I spend so many hours getting to know.
The voice acting is excellent, and as much as felt quite coldly to Lord Capon in the beginning, there came a time when I would lay down my life for him. Then there are other characters like Katherine who I loved, and the more you get through, the more you become so engrossed in every facet of the story. This is based in history, and while it may be obvious there are no elves, dragons, or apocalyptic threats, this stands tall with the best stories I’ve seen in gaming.
I have so many fond yet random memories of playing Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Dancing at a wedding, then getting lucky in a nearby barn. Going gravedigging with a crazy old man at the crack of dawn. Listening to a miller ramble about his crazy schemes involving golems. I won’t be forgetting this in a hurry, and despite a few texture pops, bugs that saw random NPCs get stuck during cutscenes, and loading screens that took quite some time to load in, the ambition on display is staggering, and never cracks under the pressure.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a huge game, filled with so much to do. The story is excellent, and the world is so beautiful. You feel as though you are living a second life as opposed to playing a game, and it helps to draw you in from early on. There will be some that are put off by its difficulty or lack of hand-holding, but I honestly think this is one of the most engaging open world games in recent memory. be prepared for an epic adventure that rewards you for all the hard work you’re willing to put in to it.