The original Kingdom Come: Deliverance was a sort of sleeper hit. Released back in 2018, gamers had no idea that this “peasant simulator” would end up being one of the most refreshing games of the last generation. Combining realistic combat with unique world-building mechanics, Deliverance still holds up today. As we head towards the launch of the anticipated sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II promises to expand on the best parts of the first game. After playing what feels like an introduction that would never end, I am happy to report that this is one solid RPG.
But “RPG” isn’t really the best part of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. In fact, the game’s foundations are built on strong narratives and characters. Within the first four hours, the game does an excellent job crafting the story of Henry Skalitz, a bodyguard to nobleman Hans Capon. If you recall, Henry was the main character in the original game too.
Henry and Hans find themselves on a mission to deliver a letter to the Trosky region. The two are accompanied by a group of bodyguards who seemingly have some stories to tell.
It is important to note that much of the game’s opening hour is actually part of the class system creator. During various parts of the dialogue, I was given options to choose from that determined certain stats and skills. For example, when asked what Henry’s previous role was, I was able to respond with a choice that determined the starting disposition.
The camping scene continued to show me the ropes – how to feed my dog companion named Mutt, how to attack and defend in a fencing training, and how to play the oddly simple yet satisfying mini-game of Dice. I was also able to choose my preferred weapon type during another natural chat with the team.
This whole tutorial system is quite remarkable. Not only does it provide a human touch to the class building, but it ties into Kingdom Come: Deliverance II’s excellent storytelling. If there was one thing in the game that grabbed me, it was the voice work. Characters are compelling, and cutscenes are worth the watch. I found myself barely spamming the skip button even after I had read the dialogue on the screen when the character was still speaking. This is quite rare for me. I am impatient, sorry.
Even the group of bodyguards who get violently slaughtered near the start of the game felt fully fleshed out and unique. Sort of like a group of people you would stumble upon while in the bar one day. I honestly had no idea they weren’t main characters.
This is true for the entire introduction in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. As Henry and Hans get chased into the forest by mercenaries and saved by an old lady, every character oozed with personality, even if they were only around for a few minutes.
I don’t want to spoil too much of the opening story in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II because it is truly a gem to watch. However, I will dive into the mechanics I am able to share.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a lot to take in at first. The game’s menu systems are busy, and the general mechanics require quite a lot of focus to get the hang of. During one scene, I had to craft healing potions in an alchemy lab. I had to navigate around this hut, read the recipe book, follow the steps carefully, and place the ingredients correctly.
Now, this is usually the norm in games; however, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II focuses on interacting with the world, pulling down the cauldron, moving the camera to the ingredient bags to select the right herb, fanning the fire to start the boil, crushing the spice in the mortar and pestle, and even timing the boil correctly.
It was very much “simulator,” but I enjoyed it. I felt like I had control. I felt like I could have easily messed up, and it would have affected the quality of the potion. I enjoyed how it wasn’t just a bunch of tabs that I sorted through to select items.
The same goes for most of the daily life in the game. Similar to the first game, I had to pay attention to various aspects of the world around me and Henry’s condition. I had to wash if I was in combat and happened to get blood on my clothes; else, people would notice. I also had to dress correctly. Not only does this mean for the occasion, but I also had to layer armour with protective gear underneath to prevent damage.
General discussion scenes are also a lot deeper than I expected. Having a candid conversation with Hans, I was given a few options to choose from. I could choose anything, but it would all affect my reputation with him. So if I was annoyed that he was too noble to carry sacks from the cart into the tavern, I could have easily said so. Think of this system like our everyday chats. You could always say something horrible to someone, but that doesn’t mean you should. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, you can.
Much of the game’s dialogue goes this way. NPCs are open to the chat, open to remorse, and open to snark remarks. Henry can get away with all of this depending on his skill factor, reputation, and what he is wearing. If I tried to act like a pompous twat wearing bloodied gear, NPCs would see right through the nonsense and call me out. However, dressing for the argument goes a long way. Basically, fake it.
There’s a lot of similar freedom to enjoy Kingdom Come: Deliverance II the way you want to. Once the world opens up, the game becomes a playground of opportunity. I am looking forward to the freedom that comes with getting a job, spending literal hours working at it, and slowly growing up the ranks.
All of this makes for an enjoyable time. Even more so thanks to the game’s relaxing pace. Sure, when you’re stabbing enemies in the chest, things are a little intense, but the general rinse-and-repeat of the daily life is something I could see myself spending hours on. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is meant to offer this sense of realism.
So far, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is shaping up to be a grand adventure. The world is teeming with all the highs and lows of being a peasant working up the ranks. The characters are exceptionally well-written. It is one of those games that you’ll likely want to get lost in and not for the sense of discovery, but for the break from the everyday life just to take on everyday chores in a video game.
I have a good hundred hours ahead of me in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. I will be sharing a full review of the game in early February. It is plannes to launch on 4 February 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
