In an era where AAA developers are focusing on simplifying gameplay to cater to a wider audience by often guiding players extensively or even completing tasks for them (as the goal is clearly to attract as many players as possible, ideally from diverse backgrounds), there are Czech developers based in Prague who have chosen a different path. These developers form Warhorse Studio, comprised of former 2K Czech employees who worked on the first two Mafia games long ago and managed to achieve what was once deemed impossible: creating Kingdom Come Deliverance’s inaugural installment as a historically accurate, rigorous, and uncompromising medieval RPG. This approach could potentially alienate players who lack the stamina or courage to fully immerse themselves in an ultra-realistic game experience. Despite their almost ascetic methodology and the 8 million sales generated by the first episode, one might have expected Warhorse Studio to ease up and make its games more accessible to court a broader audience and continue generating significant revenue. However, that has not been the case; Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is indeed a worthy successor to its acclaimed predecessor, and mastering it will require genuine dedication and substantial free time. I spent 160 hours completing the game; here are my thoughts.
Essentially, at Warhorse Studios, when it comes to narrative and dialogue, they do not compromise, which is evident in how side quests are equally compelling and well-crafted as main missions. This is why I spent over 160 hours to finish the game. To be clear, for the first 50 hours, I primarily focused on side quests, drawn in by their quality of writing. We will discuss the quality of its quest design later, after providing context for newcomers who haven’t experienced the first Kingdom Come. For those unfamiliar with the series, Kindom Come Deliverance 2 is not Skyrim and expecting it to be a substitute for Bethesda’s RPG would be entirely off track.
Henry, the son of the blacksmith, came to see me.
The story of Kingdom Come 2 begins shortly after the events of the first episode, once again placing players in the shoes of Henry of Skalice. As a page serving young lord Hans Capon de Pirkstein, Henry’s missions include delivering a crucial letter to prevent war between two kings and avenging his parents’ deaths from the previous episode. The game takes place in the Kingdom of Bohemia in 1403. For those unfamiliar with history or geography, Bohemia corresponds today to the Czech Republic, which was once part of the vast Holy Roman Empire before being absorbed by the Austrian Empire in 1806 and later becoming Czechoslovakia after World War I. In summary, Kingdom Come 2, like its predecessor, is known for its historical accuracy, with each character, town, village, and crossroads reflecting real or historically existing locations. Given that Warhorse Studio is based in Prague, they draw from their own country’s history to tell the story effectively. The game strives for realism, offering a detailed codex within the options menu to provide further historical context about discovered locations.
“IT MEANS WE ARE HAPPY”
For history enthusiasts, Kingdom Come 2 is undoubtedly one of the best video games available. Similar to its predecessor, developers have consulted specialists in medieval history and specific locations to ensure a high degree of historical accuracy and fidelity to the era and places depicted. This dedication can be seen as a form of homage to their country’s heritage. The game features an almost obsessive attention to detail, with a coherent universe, meticulous level design, logically installed structures, and non-playable characters (NPCs) who engage in credible daily activities. Each character has a substantial life cycle involving work and other pursuits, making their interactions feel genuine rather than superficial marketing claims. Although it falls short of the NPC complexity seen in Red Dead Redemption 2, Kingdom Come 2 surpasses most mainstream AAA games today by a considerable margin. NPCs react differently to Henry based on his appearance, actions, and health status, sometimes even addressing him directly without prompting. As an ultra-realistic RPG, every aspect is designed for players to treat their character as they would in real life. If Henry becomes dirty, he must find a way to clean himself, whether by bathing in village troughs or swimming in lakes and ponds. Later in the game, players can bathe with attendants who also tend to wounds and address certain sexual desires, provided the player has enough resources. For those seeking explicit content, the game includes suggestive sound effects and occasional glimpses of nearly naked young women, but nothing overtly gratuitous.
The day-night cycle significantly influences gameplay, with the atmosphere transforming dramatically as nightfall approaches. During this time, guards patrol to ensure security, wielding torches to navigate the often complete darkness. Players who venture out without a torch at night risk being apprehended by soldiers who suspect them of attempting burglary. Some missions become unavailable during nighttime hours while others open up as villagers and workers go to sleep, allowing bandits to prepare their activities. Observing non-player characters (NPCs) at night reveals them changing clothes before bed; occasionally, they might even murmur in their sleep if players try to eavesdrop. Outside of villages, fortresses, or cities like Kuttenberg, no activity is visible in the countryside during complete darkness except when illuminated by a full moon filtering through the trees, accompanied by atmospheric sounds and medieval-themed music – it’s quite exhilarating.
AUSTERITY FOR BETTER FILTERING
Since Warhorse Studios has taken the approach of uncompromising gameplay, it is important to note that if Henry sustains injuries, he will need to apply bandages to stop bleeding and then drink potions to restore his health gauge. Managing hunger is also essential for maintaining Henry’s optimal performance, as a decrease in functionality, particularly affecting the stamina gauge, can significantly impact gameplay. Overeating should be avoided as it reduces endurance. Players must monitor their food supplies carefully, as perishable goods will spoil over time. Consuming expired items without proper care will result in poisoning, which may lead to death if an antidote is not found.
Regarding the stamina gauge, it is essential to understand that it forms the core mechanics of the game. It dictates Henry’s movements and actions, whether he is sprinting or engaging in combat. However, replenishing energy through potions is not as straightforward, particularly at the start of the adventure when you have limited resources and must prepare your own drinks to restore strength and health. Alchemy benches are scattered throughout the maps but require exploration to locate. Preparing a potion involves more than simply combining ingredients; it necessitates acquiring recipes from books, learning them, and mastering the process to avoid errors. The dosage, boiling duration, and whether distillation is required all adhere to specific rules. Deviating from these instructions can result in an ineffective potion or reduced efficiency. Additionally, ingredients must be found within the open world, often at precise locations that are not clearly marked.
In Kingdom Come: Deliverance, the game emphasizes realism and historical accuracy. The world is meticulously designed, with each character, village, and location based on historical facts or inspired by them. The developers consulted historians for both medieval history and geography to ensure authenticity.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is a role-playing game developed by Warhorse Studios, known for its realism and attention to detail. The game takes place in a fictional medieval kingdom and follows the story of Henry, a blacksmith’s son who becomes embroiled in a web of conspiracy and revenge.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is a role-playing game developed by Warhorse Studios, known for its realism and attention to detail. The game includes a complex combat system, resource management, and emphasizes non-violent solutions. Players control Henry, who must navigate a medieval world characterized by political intrigue, banditry, and power struggles.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is a role-playing game that emphasizes realism and challenge. Players must learn various skills such as blacksmithing, alchemy, and combat, which can be time-consuming and difficult initially. The game’s strict adherence to realism may deter some players, but those who persevere will find a unique and rewarding experience.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is a role-playing game that emphasizes realism and historical accuracy. It features a complex combat system and crafting mechanics, focusing on player skill rather than reflexes. The game’s difficulty curve can be steep, with significant consequences for poor decisions, but this also contributes to its unique appeal.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 maintains the same rigorous and realistic approach as its predecessor, focusing on historical accuracy and challenging gameplay. The open world is vast and detailed, featuring multiple regions with distinct environments and quests. The combat system, inspired by medieval martial arts, has been refined to include new enchainments and a powerful counter-attack mechanism. However, it remains demanding, requiring careful management of endurance and precise timing for blocks and parries.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is a sequel to the 2018 game, continuing its rigorous and realistic portrayal of medieval life. Known for its challenging nature, aspects such as blacksmithing, horse riding, and combat require substantial time investment and skill development.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is a sequel to the 2018 game, maintaining its strict realism and intransigence. The game’s combat system, inspired by medieval martial arts, remains largely unchanged, requiring players to master enchainments, perfect parry for counterattacks, and manage endurance consumption. A new addition includes a hand cannon that offers a powerful one-shot capability but suffers from slow reloading times.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 maintains its predecessor’s strict and uncompromising nature with an emphasis on realism and immersion. The combat system, inspired by medieval martial arts, remains largely unchanged from the first game, necessitating that players master a series of attacks and blocks while managing endurance depletion during battles. This results in challenging encounters, particularly when fighting multiple enemies.
