Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is a triumphant return to the gritty realism, meticulous detail, and immersive storytelling that made the first game such a standout. Warhorse has gone above and beyond, refining nearly every aspect of its predecessor to create an experience that feels both fresh and comfortably familiar. From the clink of steel in tense swordfights to the clank of hammers in the forge, it’s a journey that keeps you firmly rooted in medieval Bohemia.
Swordplay & Combat
Swordplay has been refined, building on the already robust mechanics of the original. Master strikes and perfect blocks feel more fluid, yet they remain challenging enough that you can’t just button-mash your way to victory. As before, any combat with more than one opponent is a deadly situation—the game doesn’t bend to make you a superhero. Instead, it stays true to its core principle: you’re not some legendary knight with a lifetime of training. You’re Henry, a blacksmith’s son who must rely on his wits, skills, and a generous dose of caution.
"It’s small but brilliant touches that make the world feel truly alive"
Commitment to Realism
While the intense impact of realism might not hit as hard if you’ve played the first game—after all, you already know how to read this time around—the sequel remains remarkably devoted to historical authenticity. You still need to eat, sleep, and wash regularly, and you’ll find the littlest details can affect your day. For instance, crimes committed against nobility are punished more severely than those against lower classes, a fact that reflects medieval hierarchies perfectly. And if you steal a key, don’t expect it to work forever. Its owner will notice it’s missing and change the locks in a day or two, forcing you to plan your misdeeds more carefully. It’s small but brilliant touches like these that make the world feel truly alive.
This commitment to realism extends to everything from foods and alcohols to the ways you can heal. You can’t just scarf down 50 cheese wheels and sprint off into the sunset here. Instead, you’ll find yourself mixing alchemical concoctions, bandaging wounds, and sleeping off too much booze (along with the inevitable hangover). Overindulge at the dinner table, and you’ll even have to deal with the consequences of being too full, complete with its own unique debuffs.
Skills & Progression
What makes the Kingdom Come series brilliant is that you’re not a one-man army who’s magically great at everything. Your skills must be honed over time—everything from horse riding to fighting to crafting grows with practice. Even though Henry has a background in blacksmithing, he’s far from a master. Instead, you’ll find yourself carefully refining weapons by heating and hammering them to a whistled tune, watching as each bit of progress yields a slightly improved result. It’s refreshingly fun and lends an added layer of authenticity to your growing arsenal.
"you’re not a one-man army who’s magically great at everything"
Quests & World Building
Comparisons to The Witcher often crop up due to the medieval setting, but Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 feels real and refreshing, and your choices can have a profound effect on how events unfold. The random encounters are a personal favourite. You could find yourself accosted by highwaymen, stumbling upon a travelling priest, or meeting a peculiar fellow with an arrow in his head claiming divine blessing—asking for your help to carry charcoal. These moments inject spontaneity and a sense of real danger into the world. After all, the medieval age was no place for the faint-hearted, and Henry can’t always fend off a cunning ambush.
Quest-wise, there’s plenty of variety. You’ll engage in thievery, grave robbing, honourable duels, or even rescue damsels in need. Some missions flirt with the mythical, blending reality and medieval superstition in a way that feels organic. Henry, like many of his time, might believe in dragons or demons, and it’s up to you to decide whether he remains a sceptic or fully buys into the supernatural.
Character & Story Continuity
Fans of the first game will appreciate how Theresa is mentioned in the story, even if she isn’t physically present. It’s a subtle bit of continuity that helps Henry feel like the same character you might have roleplayed in the original. If you had a budding romance with her, these little references do wonders for roleplaying consistency and emotional investment.
Meanwhile, Henry himself continues to be one of my favourite characters to play as. His growth from a simple blacksmith’s son to a more capable adventurer—complete with stumbles and triumphs—feels like a more grounded take on the classic “Hero’s Journey.” It’s not some rags-to-riches fairytale; it’s a slow, believable progression toward moderate wealth and skill, punctuated by setbacks and hard lessons learned.
"the perfect balance of Monty Python-esque comedic moments, only done seriously"
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is one of the closest iterations of the “Hero’s Journey” in gaming so far. It stays true to the grounded, historically informed roots of its predecessor, yet refines almost every mechanic, from swordplay to alchemy to lock-picking. It might not be as vast as some other open-world titans, but it’s brimming with humour, action, and realism—the perfect balance of Monty Python-esque comedic moments, only done seriously. Warhorse Studios has clearly poured heart and soul into delivering a sequel that fans of the first game will adore, and newcomers will find refreshingly challenging.
Whether you’re a returning veteran or a fresh-faced adventurer, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 offers a deep and rewarding journey through medieval Bohemia. If you relish authenticity, meticulously crafted worlds, and a character who truly has to fight for every ounce of skill he gains, this sequel is an absolute must-play. I commend Warhorse for bringing us another brilliant chapter in Henry’s story.