John Steinbeck once wrote to his son, “Nothing good ever gets away.”
This, I have always believed, is true of love, of opportunity, and (though I never imagined I’d be writing this sentence) of historically authentic open-world RPG sequels. And so, let me be absolutely clear: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is good. I say this not merely as a mother hoping to preserve the fragile truce in her household, but as someone who has sunk hours into this exquisitely realized masterpiece, and who has genuinely come to deeply admire what Warhorse Studios has accomplished here.
When I played the first Kingdom Come: Deliverance back in 2018, it wasn’t out of personal curiosity but because my son more or less assigned it to me, with the same gravity a literature professor might hand out Moby Dick. A little bit like reading Moby Dick, I struggled, I got lost, and at times I felt intimidated by the weight of the artistic work in hand. Unlike reading Moby Dick, I was also arrested for a crime I absolutely did not commit! (unless picking up an item off the ground without realizing it belonged to someone is a crime, in which case I did commit it). I also went on an absolute bender with Godwin, a guy who claimed to be a man of God, but on reflection probably was not. But overall, I had to admit the game was remarkable in its attention to detail and its faithfulness to life in 15th-century Bohemia.
It was also a lot more enjoyable than reading Moby Dick.
When Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 was announced, I braced myself for another round of “Mom, you have to play this.”
And so, here we are.
The game, released on Feb. 4 2025, and already surpassing one million copies sold in just 24 hours, sees players stepping back into the well-worn boots of Henry of Skalitz, humble blacksmith’s son, and now knight in the service of his real father, Sir Radzig Kobyla.
When we first meet Henry, he and the somewhat infuriating knight, Sir Hans Capon (who players will remember well from the first game), set out to deliver a crucial letter to Otto von Bergow, an ally of Sigismund, enquiring as to Von Bergow’s allegiance. The small entourage finds itself beset by bandits who murder Capon’s men, leaving Henry and Hans to escape with literally only their underwear to their name. Now without coin, clothes, armor, friends, food, or even a means to prove his identity and purpose, Henry must learn to survive, fight, and find allies in Bohemia’s turbulent and often violent political landscape.
The sequel is breathtaking. It’s a vast, deeply immersive medieval world that feels lived-in and real, full of rich storytelling and punishingly fair combat. Warhorse Studios has not only expanded on everything that made the first game special but refined it, creating a world that is more dynamic, more detailed, and — dare I say it — more forgiving for players who are less inclined toward battle and more inclined toward not getting skewered by angry men with swords.
The playable area is simply enormous, and getting about on foot in the early stages of the game is both a challenge and an experience. The landscapes, from lush meadows, to imposing cliff faces, and intricately-mapped villages and towns, are something to see. And although it’s possible to take the scenic route to wherever you want to get to, the world is not without its share of Cumans, swindlers, thieves, vagabonds and murderers looking to part you from whatever little you have managed to scrape together so far. I discovered in the early stages, without proper combat training, it was best not to tackle armed strangers on empty roads. In fact, it was better not to talk to anyone on the road to where you most wanted to get to, at all.
But it’s not just the sheer scope of the world and the attention to detail therein that makes Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 a standout title. The story too is gripping, following Henry, our reluctant hero from the first game, as he navigates a world still brimming with war, political intrigue, and more opportunities to get yourself arrested for things you swear you didn’t do. Yes, you might find yourself a little confused at the outset with all the noble names and locations, especially if you haven’t had a chance to play the first game, but my advice is not to sweat it. Friends and enemies will find a way to let you know who they are as the action progresses. (Note: Gone are the somewhat plastic-looking faces of the protagonists from the first game, in favour of more lifelike versions that do justice to the voice actors behind them.)
The writing is excellent too, with complex characters and compelling quests that often leave you genuinely unsure of what the best course of action is. The scope to take off and complete a random quest that in turn leads to another even more random quest calls to mind both Skyrim and the Fallout series, to which the game has been likened in several critical reviews. However, as Kingdom Come is a fuller, more detail-rich, and slower-paced RPG that really allows players to spend time in the world (I went fishing! I drugged someone with laxatives! I painted a sleeping bull with penises!), I feel it deserves to be favorably compared to the best 3D RPGs of all time, Oblivion and Morrowind, and even 2018’s stellar action adventure Red Dead Redemption 2.
This is not a game that holds your hand, and yet, that is precisely what makes it so rewarding. I spent more time than I care to admit scrounging around in my underpants looking for food, a sturdy weapon, or just somewhere to sleep at night in the early sections of the game. (If you’re reading this and find yourself similarly embarrassed, go visit the blacksmith. Or the miller, if you’re that way inclined. You’re welcome!)
Combat is still brutally difficult. It requires precision, patience, and an understanding of medieval weaponry that I suspect my son could now use in real life, should he ever find himself in a historical reenactment gone terribly wrong. The first time I got into a fight, I swung my sword with all the effectiveness of someone swatting a fly with a pool noodle. I was laughed at by Hans. I was hammered by Tomcat. I fell afoul of more enemies on the road than I care to mention here. But over time, I adapted. I learned the timing, the footwork, the delicate balance between offense and defense. And when I finally won my first proper duel, it felt earned. I was elated!
However it is with relief that I will add to this by saying the beauty of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is that it doesn’t demand that you fight constantly. You can talk your way out of situations, use stealth, or even just develop your character into a master negotiator who can charm his way past trouble. Be careful though. Blowing your own trumpet with respect to certain skills you don’t yet possess will lose you hard-earned reputation with the locals. (So don’t go telling people you’re an alchemy wiz if you’re not.) The world reacts to your choices, and every decision feels meaningful. It’s a game that respects intelligence, patience, and an appreciation for history — all qualities I have tried my best to cultivate in my son, who will undoubtedly continue speaking to me after reading this review.
And yes, I could nitpick. The save system remains as unforgiving and frustrating as ever. Sometimes, the sheer realism of everything means things move more slowly than in other RPGs, and the game deliberately puts the player through Bohemian Bootcamp in the first hours of gameplay, making you feel powerless, defenceless and often useless at times — but honestly, that’s part of the appeal. It’s a game that asks you to slow down, to think, occasionally to reconsider a strategy, and to truly live in its world rather than just rushing through it.
Warhorse Studios has spent the years since the release of Kingdom Come 1 listening to their fans, improving and perfecting their art, and choosing substance over stylish in-game gimmicks. The result is an uplifting, rewarding, and deeply satisfying experience that shows just what is possible from a dedicated team with a strong vision for what a video game ought to be.
So, my final verdict? If Steinbeck was right, then Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will not get away. It will be remembered as one of the most ambitious and immersive medieval RPGs ever made. And my son will remember that his mother, a woman of great wisdom and discernment, saw its brilliance.
Our score: 10/10, I loved every second of it. No notes. Definitely wasn’t coerced into saying this. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 invites players into a thoughtfully designed, beautifully realized, and richly detailed sandbox that is at times demanding and unforgiving. However the game rewards patience, thought, and effort, and those who persevere will no doubt find themselves rethinking how gaming should be approached. A standout title, worthy of its accolades.
Genre: First Person Action Role Playing Game
Platform: PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S
Release: February 4, 2025
Studio: Warhorse Studios
Publisher: Deep Silver
