Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Review – A Medieval Masterpiece or Just Another Sequel?

 

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Review – The Ultimate Medieval RPG Experience

Release Date: February 4, 2025
Developer: Warhorse Studios
Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Introduction

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 hit medieval RPG, developed by Warhorse Studios. The first game was praised for its historical accuracy, deep RPG mechanics, and realistic combat. Now, with the sequel, fans expect even bigger things—improved graphics, refined gameplay, and an even more immersive medieval world. But does the game live up to the hype? Let’s dive into our in-depth review to find out.

Visual Enhancements and Graphics

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 delivers a visually stunning experience, leveraging next-gen technology to create a highly detailed and immersive medieval setting. The world is now larger, featuring more diverse environments, including sprawling castles, bustling cities, and dense forests.

• Lighting and Shadows: Dynamic lighting brings the medieval world to life, with realistic day-night cycles that influence gameplay.

• Character Models: Improved facial animations make interactions with NPCs feel more lifelike.

• Weather Effects: Enhanced weather systems include thunderstorms, fog, and snow, all of which affect visibility and travel.

One of the biggest graphical improvements is seen in the city of Kuttenberg, which is now more detailed and historically accurate, with intricate buildings and busy streets filled with merchants, beggars, and knights.

Engaging Storyline and Quest Design

Once again, players step into the boots of Henry, the son of a blacksmith, continuing his journey in a war-torn Bohemia. Unlike generic RPGs, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 focuses on historically inspired storytelling, making every mission feel meaningful.

• Branching Dialogues: Conversations impact how NPCs perceive Henry, influencing quest outcomes.
• Meaningful Side Quests: Instead of fetch quests, side missions are deeply integrated into the world, providing context and rewards that tie into the main story.
• Moral Dilemmas: Decisions have long-term consequences, shaping alliances and affecting Henry’s fate.

The sequel continues to embrace non-linear storytelling, meaning your choices genuinely affect how events unfold, making replayability a huge factor.

Refined Combat Mechanics

One of the standout features of the original game was its realistic, skill-based combat system, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 takes it even further.

• Improved Swordplay: Combat is now smoother, with better hit detection and more fluid animations.
• Mounted Combat: Players can engage in battles on horseback, adding more depth to encounters.
• Stealth Mechanics: Sneaking into enemy camps or assassinating enemies has been improved with new stealth takedowns and AI behavior.

Unlike many action RPGs, button-mashing won’t help here. Combat relies on stamina, positioning, and skillful parries, rewarding players who take the time to master the system.

A More Immersive Open World

The sequel builds upon its predecessor’s living, breathing medieval world, ensuring that no two playthroughs feel the same.

• Enhanced AI Behavior: NPCs react more dynamically to Henry’s actions—stealing from merchants will have long-term consequences.

• Realistic Economy: Prices fluctuate based on supply and demand, making trading and bartering more strategic.

• Hunger, Fatigue, and Wounds: Henry must eat, sleep, and tend to injuries, adding realism to the experience.

For fans of historical accuracy, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is unmatched in its attention to detail, making the world feel truly alive.

Critical Reception and Player Feedback

The game has received “generally favorable” reviews from both critics and players. Here’s a summary of what people are saying:

👍 What’s Praised
✅ Stunning open world and realistic medieval setting
✅ Deep, non-linear storytelling with impactful choices
✅ Improved combat and AI mechanics
✅ More engaging side quests

👎 What Could Be Better
❌ Steep learning curve, especially for new players
❌ Occasional minor bugs (expected to be patched)

Sales and Player Engagement

On release day, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 topped the Steam best-sellers list and quickly surpassed the concurrent player records set by its predecessor.

• Peak concurrent players on Steam: 256,206 (surpassing the first game by over 60,000)

• Financial success: The game broke even financially within the first week of launch

• Massive interest from RPG fans, especially those who love historical realism

Final Verdict – Is It Worth Playing?

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is one of the most immersive and realistic medieval RPGs ever made. If you’re looking for a game that:

✔️ Delivers deep storytelling
✔️ Offers challenging yet rewarding combat
✔️ Features a historically rich open world

…then this is a must-play.

However, if you prefer fast-paced, fantasy-style RPGs with magic and mythical creatures, this might not be your cup of tea.

📢 Final Score: 9/10