Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
A first-person medieval RPG where you parry thrusts in sword-fencing combat, brew savior-schnapps alchemy, and bluff your way through guard encounters.
If KCD1 grabbed you with its bullheaded commitment to 15th-century realism, KCD2 is more of that — bigger map, sharper combat, same refusal to hold your hand.
For you if
- You loved KCD1's swordplay-as-fencing combat and its insistence that the world doesn't bend to your level.
- You want a 100-hour open-world RPG where alchemy, lockpicking, and convincing a guard you're not drunk all matter.
- Bohemian historical setting with real-world place names, period-accurate armor, and herbalism that uses real plants is your thing.
Not for you if
- Punishing save systems frustrate you — KCD2 keeps the savior-schnapps mechanic, so save-anywhere isn't on the menu without consumables.
- You bounce off slow openings — the first ~10 hours are setup-heavy before the world fully opens.
- You want 'cinematic' AAA polish — KCD2 has rougher edges than its peers, and that hasn't fundamentally changed from launch.
Combat that demands mastery and a branching narrative with fleshed-out characters keep 100-hour players returning.
Restrictive saving mechanics and persistent technical bugs frustrate even dedicated long-play fans.
Media
What critics say
- 9/10IGN
Armed with excellent melee combat and an exceptional story, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is one part sequel and one part coronation.
- 90/100PC Gamer
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a big, bold, unutterably weird thing, and it's a new RPG classic.
- 9.5/10Game Informer
CD2, for all the ways it impressed, challenged, engaged, and enraged me, is an RPG whose adventure will likely forever be etched in my mind.
Before You Play
Refreshed monthlyWhat's the best beginner build in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2?
A balanced sword-and-shield melee build with parallel investment in Speech and Stealth is the most forgiving first playthrough. Take the Combat Training I side quest in Troskowitz before any main quest, then track down Tomcat at the Nomad's Camp west of Bozhena's house to learn the Masterstrike — the single most powerful counter in the game and easy enough to pull off once you've practiced the timing. Spend early Groschen on better armor (helmet first), and keep a bow in your loadout for stealth approaches and hunting. KCD2 levels skills through use, so don't avoid combat to "save XP" — actually fight to grow.
Source: Method.gg Beginner Build Guide
Should new players try Hardcore Mode in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2?
No — start on Standard. Hardcore Mode (added in the April 2025 patch) requires all 10 negative perks active and removes the HUD entirely: no health bar, no stamina bar, no compass, no map marker for your position. It's a second-pass challenge for players who already know the systems, the map, and combat timing cold. Standard Mode is challenging enough on its own; you can switch to Hardcore later for a fresh playthrough or via the dedicated trophy run.
Source: PowerPyx Hardcore Mode Guide
Which side quests are missable in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2?
A meaningful number — KCD2 has dozens of missables, especially in the Trosky region (over 30 sidequests can be locked out by main-story progression). The most cited example: complete "Demons of Trosky" before talking to Hans Capon in the evening, otherwise the quest auto-fails when you trigger "For Victory." General rule: knock out every available side quest in the current region before pushing the main quest forward. Most missables fire warning dialogue if you're about to lock them out, but not all do.
Source: Escapist Missables Guide
Do I need to play Kingdom Come: Deliverance before the sequel?
Not strictly. KCD2 picks up directly after KCD1 with the same protagonist (Henry of Skalitz), but it summarizes the relevant story beats early and the gameplay is fully re-explained. Playing the original gives you context for Henry's relationships with Hans Capon, Sir Radzig, and the broader Bohemia conflict, plus the satisfaction of seeing your earlier choices acknowledged. If story continuity matters to you, play KCD1 first; if you'd rather start with the more polished sequel (better combat, larger world, fewer rough edges), KCD2 stands on its own.
Source: TheGamer KCD1 vs KCD2
Is there content to do after beating Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2?
Yes. After credits, the world stays open and you can return to mop up unfinished side quests, explore the Kuttenberg and Trosky regions, max out Henry's skills (alchemy, persuasion, archery — most players skip a few entirely on first run), and pursue different endings on subsequent saves. Multiple ending paths reward different choices, so a "best ending" run involves replaying specific story beats. Warhorse's announced post-launch DLC roadmap also adds expansion content over time. Plan 100+ hours for a full first run; completionists can easily double that.
Source: TheGamer Post-Game Activities
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