There’s a tavern in Troskowitz where the locals are likely weary of my presence. On two different occasions, I found myself embroiled in messy brawls there, without having touched a drop of alcohol. My second encounter featured a group of Cuman deserters — whom I couldn’t completely trust, given their tragic connections to my past. After some initial tension, I chose to side with the townsfolk, leading to a scuffle we were ultimately unprepared for.
Once the Cumans were gone, a local urged me to track them down. Upon finding them, I encountered a friendly Cuman who invited me to drink. That night spiraled into chaos — I nearly drowned, played matchmaker, and engaged in deep conversation with a rather imaginary talking dog, all while overlooking a promise made to two new acquaintances who needed my help on a critical mission. Even after a full night’s sleep, I awoke still inebriated, facing the prospect of bandit combat with blurred vision and an attitude that left much to be desired.
For some, this scenario may sound frustrating. Yet for me, it encapsulates the enticing nature of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, a game that thrives on the consequences of player actions. The sequel enriches the complexity and player choice that defined its predecessor while addressing many of its technical shortcomings.
Set in early 15th-century Bohemia, the sequel continues the journey of Henry, a blacksmith’s son determined to reclaim his father’s stolen sword from a treacherous noble. The game begins with Henry as a bodyguard to Sir Hans Capon but soon devolves into a quest for self-improvement and agency. Players can mold Henry into a character of their choice, be it a charming diplomat, a skilled warrior, or a crafty thief.
The game employs a robust progression system where actions lead to growth. For instance, leveling up combat skills occurs primarily through practice rather than passive observation. Combat retains depth while becoming more fluid, with a revamped system that allows attacks from multiple directions and introduces techniques like Master strikes. While fighting multiple enemies can be chaotic, improved AI makes it easier to manage encounters.
Kingdom Come 2 offers numerous ways to approach objectives, with quests that can be resolved through various means including combat, stealth, or persuasion. The narrative remains rich and well-developed, often intertwining personal stories with historical context, and includes diverse representations that enhance its world.
Visuals and sound design contribute to the game’s immersive environment, presenting a breathtakingly detailed portrayal of Bohemia’s landscapes, towns, and life during the era. Despite certain flaws, such as a still-challenging save system and some issues with item selling mechanics, the sequel emerges as a confident improvement over its predecessor. It invites players to engage fully with its world and the narrative consequences of their choices, creating a compelling experience in a meticulously crafted open-world RPG.
