Some games leave you chasing the feeling they gave you the first time you played them. For years, I thought I’d never recapture the magic of my first journey through Skyrim—until Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 arrived like a knight in shining armor, sweeping me away with its deep melee combat and gripping medieval saga. More than just a sequel, it refines and expands on everything its predecessor aimed for, much like The Witcher 3 did for its series. Of course, a game of this scale isn’t without its rough edges, and sometimes its own ambitious design goals clash as much as protagonist Henry’s inner struggles. But despite that, its brilliance is undeniable.
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A Grand, Gritty Tale
The story picks up right where Kingdom Come: Deliverance left off in 2018, but even if you haven’t played the original, it’s easy enough to follow. Henry, once a simple blacksmith’s son, now finds himself tangled in a web of political intrigue and brutal warfare, surrounded by a cast of dynamic and complex characters. His boisterous, reckless liege lord makes for a compelling companion, while real historical figures make dramatic entrances that I won’t spoil here.
Yet the real crown jewel of this world is Kuttenberg. This city is nothing short of a marvel in RPG world-building. It might just be one of the most detailed, immersive medieval cities ever recreated in a video game. Its layout is based on the real-life town, with some streets following modern maps almost exactly. Walking through its winding alleys, engaging in duels between rival sword schools, or hunting down a serial killer made every moment there feel alive. Yes, you’ll run into NPCs with the same voice or even the same face—including some important ones—but in a world this rich, it’s a small price to pay. By the time I reached Kuttenberg, I had already spent over 40 hours exploring, and I still gleefully lost myself in its bustling streets, hunting for the best armor and fashion-worthy outfits. That’s exactly what arriving in a massive medieval city should make you want to do.
A Hundred Unforgettable Quests
The quest design is where Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 truly shines. Across roughly 100 quests, I can count on one hand the ones that weren’t memorable. Instead of routine fetch quests or generic “kill the bandits” tasks, nearly every mission brings a unique twist—whether it’s an unexpected moment of emotional weight, a tough moral decision, or a complete shift in tone.
One standout quest, which I stumbled upon completely by accident, turned my medieval adventure into a full-fledged horror story deep underground. It was an incredible moment, though I wish it had lasted longer to let the dread fully sink in. That said, the sheer variety and quality of these stories kept me engaged for over 120 hours, without ever feeling like I was grinding through filler content.
The world itself is a breathtaking tapestry of rolling hills, dense forests, and meticulously researched medieval villages spread across two open-world maps. While the geography leans heavily into wooded landscapes and meadows, that’s simply historical accuracy at work. The contrast between sleepy villages and open wilderness keeps things visually engaging, though I was surprised that most churches weren’t accessible—considering their cultural significance in 1400s Europe, I would’ve expected them to be more prominent.
A Blockbuster Main Story
If the side quests are like episodes of a TV series, the main quest is a cinematic war epic. It delivers powerful emotional moments, thrilling battles, and some of the best-written characters I’ve encountered in a historical RPG. Certain scenes made me cheer; others genuinely brought me to tears. And Henry’s ultimate adversary got under my skin in a way few villains ever have, leading to a final encounter I won’t soon forget. The story asks thought-provoking questions about heroism, morality, and the messy realities of war, without ever feeling like it’s trying too hard to be dark or edgy.
However, the game’s dual identity as both a structured narrative experience and an open-world sandbox sometimes creates frustrating conflicts. Case in point: the Hungarian Camp.
Late in the game, I stumbled upon this enemy stronghold—home to King Sigismund’s invading forces. Naturally, I tried to take it on solo and was swiftly defeated. Fair enough. So, for the next 40 hours, I trained obsessively, mastering swordplay, archery, and blacksmithing. I forged the best blade in Bohemia, upgraded my armor, and meticulously planned my revenge. And when I returned? I wiped the camp off the map.
It was one of my favorite moments in the entire game—until the main story suddenly required me to infiltrate the same camp as a spy, as if my massacre had never happened. Henry didn’t even acknowledge that he had already slaughtered its inhabitants. Worse, I now had a massive bounty on my head, and the game forced me to sneak around, restarting cutscenes before the unkillable quest NPCs could spot me. To make matters worse, my reputation tanked because, apparently, killing invading enemy soldiers was an unforgivable crime. It was an immersion-breaking mess in an otherwise stellar experience.
Combat, Crafting, and Customization
Outside of the occasional narrative hiccup, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 refines its already impressive combat system. The first game’s skill-based melee combat returns sharper and smoother, though I did notice that at higher levels, stats began to overshadow actual player skill. Unlike the original, where mastering the mechanics was essential, it now feels possible to brute-force your way through with sheer numbers. That said, fighting is still exhilarating, and archery has seen major improvements.
The new blacksmithing minigame is a welcome addition, though it can feel a little clunky. Still, crafting your own blade and then wielding it in battle is deeply satisfying. Alchemy, too, has been made much more user-friendly.
Meanwhile, the perk system has seen a much-needed overhaul. In the original game, many perks felt more like side-grades than actual upgrades, often coming with drawbacks that made them feel less rewarding. This time around, perks are more impactful, allowing for meaningful character progression. My favorite? Leveling up my scholarship skills to unlock unique quest resolutions by outwitting my enemies with sheer knowledge.
And technically speaking, the game runs impressively well. Even on a high-end rig, I can’t max out the first Kingdom Come: Deliverance, but the sequel runs smoothly at 4K on very high settings. There are still plenty of silly bugs—like floating NPCs and bizarre physics mishaps—but nothing that truly disrupted my experience.
Verdict
In many ways, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 picks up the torch of reactive, first-person RPGs in a way that few modern games have. It blends excellent melee combat with a world that feels alive, and while it sometimes struggles to balance its cinematic storytelling with its open-ended sandbox, those moments are the exception rather than the rule. Whether you’re hunting down a killer, crafting the perfect sword, or getting lost in its sprawling medieval cities, the journey is consistently compelling. And by the time I reached its rousing finale, I knew this was an adventure I wouldn’t forget anytime soon.
