Do yourself a favor and don’t read this, or any reviews until you’ve played the game. All you need to know, it’s definitely worth it.
When Kingdom Come: Deliverance first launched, it was a rough gem—technically flawed but rich in historical authenticity, immersive role-playing, and some of the best writing in gaming. It was an experience that won over fans despite its imperfections.
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Now, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is here, and let’s not waste any time: this is a perfect 10/10. It not only meets expectations but exceeds them, delivering one of the best RPG experiences in recent memory.
For those who just want to know whether they should pick up a copy—yes, absolutely. This is the kind of game best experienced with as little foreknowledge as possible. But if you’re curious about why it deserves such high praise, read on.
A Seamless Continuation of Henry’s Story
The sequel picks up three months after the events of the first game, with Henry and Sir Hans Capon traveling to Trosky to deliver a crucial message. Their journey is cut short when they are ambushed by bandits, stripped of their belongings, and Henry suffers a brutal fall that results in head trauma. This not only serves as a clever way to reset Henry’s stats from the previous game, but it also introduces PTSD mechanics, including night terrors and haunting memories of past tragedies.
Henry’s quest for revenge remains unfinished—the man who killed his adoptive parents is still at large, and Istvan Toth, the traitor who stole his father’s sword, has yet to be brought to justice. The game wastes no time throwing players back into the brutal and immersive world of medieval Bohemia.
A Vast, Living World
If the first game was ambitious, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is on a whole new level. The world is massive, with two sprawling regions—Trosky and Kuttenberg—each brimming with detail, history, and opportunities for both honorable and morally questionable adventures.
The first half of the game is a slow rebuild, with Henry regaining his skills and reputation. Players must earn their place in society, whether through honest work, mercenary contracts, or, for the less scrupulous, theft, grave robbing, and deception. Henry and Hans Capon start out unrecognized as nobility, and much of the early game revolves around infiltrating high society to secure an invitation to a noble wedding, where they can finally deliver their message.
And that’s just the first region.
Once players move to Kuttenberg, the game explodes in scale. The city is a sight to behold—a medieval metropolis teeming with life, bustling marketplaces, and political intrigue. The quests in this region are some of the best in RPG history, with rich character writing and moral dilemmas that stay with you long after the credits roll.
Deep, Reactive Gameplay
The level of player agency in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is staggering. Quests offer countless solutions, some straightforward, others deeply unconventional. You can manipulate NPCs by stealing their weapons and armor before a duel, poisoning their food, or simply eliminating them in advance to make future missions easier. Actions have real consequences—if you rob an NPC, they may struggle financially, fail to buy new weapons, and become weaker in combat.
The game encourages role-playing by making you care about its world and people. A great example is a trial by combat over a widow’s stolen inheritance (a historical practice known as “trial by ordeal”). You’re tasked with dueling a man who, while possibly innocent, is too poor to become a ed swordsman. If you show him mercy and throw the fight, you lose honor. If you win, you condemn him to a life of poverty. These kinds of grey moral choices define Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and make every decision meaningful.
Improved Combat—More Fluid, More Brutal
The combat system has been streamlined without losing its depth. Fans of the first game will feel at home, but everything is more fluid, responsive, and cinematic. Given the sheer number of battles in the game, this was a necessary improvement. Large-scale skirmishes, one-on-one duels, and intense siege battles are all handled beautifully.
Speaking of battles—this game is HARD. If you rush into a fight swinging wildly, you’ll be dead in seconds. Success demands stamina management, positioning, and smart use of feints, blocks, and counters. It’s a system that rewards patience and skill, making every victory satisfying.
Attention to Detail That Brings the World to Life
The world of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II isn’t just realistic—it’s alive. Every NPC has a home, a job, and a schedule. They sleep, eat, work, get drunk, and even change behavior based on circumstances.
- Taverns close at night.
- Priests preach against sin in front of bathhouses.
- Villagers react to Henry’s reputation—if you save someone from wolves, they’ll tell their friends about it.
- Drunkenness affects dialogue—Henry can wake up after an all-night bender, attempt to turn in a quest, and speak absolute nonsense, complete with unique dialogue reflecting his inebriated state.
There are also dynamic world events. In one playthrough, I saved a woman from wolves, only to have villagers later recognize me and thank me for my heroism. In another, a burned town’s refugees fled to a new city and spoke about the tragedy. The world reacts in ways most RPGs can only dream of.
Mutt, Pebbles, and Companions
Companions play a bigger role in this game, and yes—Mutt the dog is back! He’s useful in combat, tracking, and even boosting Henry’s charisma. And for those who grew attached to Pebbles, Henry’s horse from the first game—you’ll have the chance to keep him, though faster horses are available.
A Few Missed Opportunities
As immersive as Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is, there are a few small but noticeable gaps:
- Food immersion took a step back—you can’t just sit down, relax and enjoy your meal; you now have to open your inventory to eat, or consume directly from a pot. You can’t even eat food items on the table.
- Church interiors are locked—despite religion being a major theme, there are fewer accessible churches and cathedrals compared to the first game. Huge missed opportunity when praying is a mechanic in the game.
- The world is vast, but not every building is enterable—leading to some disappointing “fake doors.”
- Time progression is still done via UI clock—an animation of Henry resting or bathing would have been preferable over a static time-lapse screen.
These are minor complaints in an otherwise astonishing game.
A Tale of Love and Lust
Romance plays a subtle yet significant role in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, though it comes with some surprises—both welcome and disappointing. While Henry can flirt with multiple characters, the game ultimately presents only two major romance options.
One of these is Hans Capon, which feels somewhat out of place given the established lore and Henry’s previous characterization. Choosing this route leads to a fully realized romance, including a rather graphic scene, but it’s an option that might not sit well with fans of the original game. Fortunately, it’s entirely avoidable.
The other main romance option in KCD2 is Rosa Rutthard, a noblewoman who plays an integral role in the Kuttenberg region. If pursued, Rosa becomes Henry’s love interest, offering deep dialogue interactions and an engaging arc. However, Theresa, Henry’s beloved from the first game, is notably absent, despite her presence being felt throughout the story. The game acknowledges their relationship—Henry speaks of her fondly, and even the priest brings her up—but she never actually appears. For players who remained loyal to her, this is a frustrating and disappointing omission, especially given how much the game builds up the anticipation of a reunion.
The lack of an emotional payoff with Theresa aside, the romance mechanics in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II are well-written and immersive, adding another layer of role-playing depth. Rosa’s romance, in particular, is woven naturally into the narrative, making it feel like a meaningful choice rather than just an optional side activity. That said, for those who hoped for a continuation of Henry and Theresa’s love story, the ending might leave a bittersweet taste.
A Bittersweet Ending
Without spoiling anything, let’s talk about Theresa—Henry’s love interest from the first game. The game builds up anticipation that players will see her again, but when the credits roll… Theresa is nowhere to be found. The emotional weight of Henry’s journey makes her absence feel even more profound.
The game does offer an open-world post-game, allowing players to continue adventuring, hunting, and completing side quests, but that missing emotional payoff is felt.
Verdict: The First Perfect 10
With 135+ hours of gameplay, an engaging story, incredible characters, and a living world, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is nothing short of a masterpiece. The writing, gameplay, and world-building make it one of the greatest RPGs ever made.
If Warhorse Studios keeps releasing DLC and expansions, I’ll be playing this game all year.
Disclaimer: We received a promotional copy of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II on PlayStation 5 from Plaion for the purposes of this review.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a masterclass in historical RPGs, delivering an unforgettable story, deep role-playing mechanics, and a living world that reacts to your every choice. With improved combat, stunning visuals, and rich, morally complex quests, it’s an absolute must-play—our first ever 10/10.