Let’s set the scene: You’re knee-deep in mud, clutching a chipped sword, staring down a bandit whose armor costs more than your entire village. Your hands are shaking, your stamina bar’s blinking red, and you’re pretty sure you forgot to eat breakfast. This is Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2—a game that doesn’t just want you to play a medieval RPG. It wants you to live it, warts and all. Seven years after the original shocked gamers with its “no dragons, just drama” approach, Warhorse Studios’ sequel doubles down on historical grit. But is it a masterpiece or a medieval mess? Let’s dig in the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Review
Henry’s Back:
If you thought Henry’s story ended with that cliffhanger in the first game… Surprise! KC:D2 kicks off right where things got juicy. Our boy Henry is no longer the wide-eyed blacksmith. He’s a battle-hardened survivor hellbent on revenge, and the game wastes no time throwing him into political schemes, bloody skirmishes, and moral dilemmas that’d make a monk sweat.
The story’s like Game of Thrones meets a history textbook. One minute, you’re negotiating with a snarky nobleman (shoutout to Lord Hans Capon, still serving sarcasm in a doublet). Next, you’re knee-deep in the Hussite Wars, where every decision—like sparing a traitor or burning a village—ripples across the world. The Sixth Axis nails it: “This isn’t fantasy; it’s feudal chaos with a heartbeat.” Newcomers might feel like they’ve walked into season 3 of a Netflix drama, but fans? They’ll eat up every crumb of lore like stale medieval bread.
Combat:
Let’s cut to the chase: KC:D2’s combat still feels like trying to parallel park a horse-drawn carriage. Swordplay is heavy—every swing drains stamina, mistimed blocks get you gutted, and fighting more than two bandits at once is basically a death wish. Digital Trends isn’t wrong when they say it’s “the Dark Souls of historical sims.” But here’s the thing: Once it clicks, it’s so satisfying.
Warhorse tweaked the system, though. Lock-ons are less janky, archery has a subtle “aim assist” (thank God), and horseback combat? Actually fun now. Picture this: Galloping through a forest, lance in hand, impaling a fleeing bandit like a kebab. Chef’s kiss. But mastering it takes time. You’ll die. A lot. Early on, I got my butt kicked by a farmer with a pitchfork. A farmer. Let that shame sink in.
The World Feels Alive
Bohemia isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character. The map’s doubled in size, adding places like Kutná Hora, a silver-mining town where the streets stink of sweat and ambition. Forests are dense enough to get lost in (seriously, bring a compass), villages bustle with gossiping peasants, and thunderstorms roll in so realistically you’ll swear you felt a raindrop.
What blew my mind? The reputation system. Act like a jerk, and shopkeepers hike prices. Help a priest, and he might slip you free healing potions. Even your clothes matter: Roll into a castle wearing bloodstained rags, and guards side-eye you like you’re there to steal the silverware. Skills like reading or brewing potions unlock hidden quests, and hunger/fatigue forces you to slow down. Ever tried swordfighting on an empty stomach? Henry swings like a drunk uncle at a wedding.
Jank:
Look, KC:D2 isn’t perfect. Bugs? Oh yeah. I saw a goat levitate. A guard once T-posed through a church wall. The save system—still tied to chugging “Saviour Schnapps”—will make you scream, especially after a 45-minute stealth mission gone wrong. (Pro tip: Brew schnapps first.)
Voice acting’s a mixed bag. Henry’s VA delivers lines like a gruff Shakespearean actor, but some side characters sound like they’re reading grocery lists. And don’t get me started on the facial animations—during emotional scenes, NPCs sometimes look like they’re constipated. But honestly? These flaws almost add charm. It’s like your grand fathers war stories: a little rough around the edges, but you can’t stop listening.
Who’s This For?
This isn’t a game for everyone. Want to feel like an invincible hero? Play Elden Ring. But if you’ve ever daydreamed about actually living in the Middle Ages—where you’re cold, hungry, and one bad decision from a grave—this is your jam.
Pro:
You geek out over historical accuracy (armor nerds, unite!).
You love RPGs where choices matter (RIP that merchant you accidentally stabbed).
You’ve watched The Last Kingdom three times and yell at the screen.
Cons:
You need constant action (90% of quests involve talking or walking).
Bugs trigger you more than Henry’s dad jokes.
You think “Save often” is a suggestion, not a lifestyle.
At The End
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II doubles down on what made the first game so stubbornly unique. It throws you into a mud-spattered, bloodstained medieval Europe where everyone’s fighting for scraps—whether you’re a scheming lord in a castle, a dirt-under-the-nails peasant, or poor Henry, the accidental hero who’s just trying not to get stabbed (or starve) before sunset. This RPG is huge, crammed with so much historical nitty-gritty that you’ll swear you can smell the horse dung. Sure, it’s a bit clunky sometimes—like a knight in ill-fitting armor—but that’s part of its charm. If you’re into deep, immersive worlds that don’t hold your hand, you’ll sink into this one like a warm tavern bench. Love it or hate it, there’s no other game out there swinging a sword quite like this.
