Kingdom Come: Deliverance II had me eager to don my armour once again, returning to the immersive medieval world that developer Warhorse Studios crafted in the original. As a fan of the first game, I really enjoyed its authentic portrayal of medieval life, intricate storytelling, and richly detailed environments. The first entry in the franchise also featured elements that were a little rough around the edges, like too many fetch quests and overly complex combat and aspects of crafting.
Now, with this highly anticipated sequel, Warhorse has not only fixed the issues with the original but elevated the experience to new heights. While the game picks up right where the first left off following “Henry of Skalitz’s” journey, newcomers can jump right in without feeling lost. This is one welcoming kingdom to newcomers thanks to thoughtful narrative design and well-explained flashbacks. Let’s forge a sword and ready our horse to delve into this knight’s adventure.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II details
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Reviewed on: PlayStation 5 Pro
Developer: Warhorse Studios
Publisher: Deep Silver
Genre: First-Person RPG
Available game modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: Mature 17+
A knight’s tale
I love a good Middle Ages story, whether it’s a novel, movie or game and thanks to some masterful work with the narrative, Warhorse Studios immediately hooked me. Set in the early 15th century, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II continues the tale of Henry, a blacksmith’s son thrust into the tumultuous world of Bohemia. The narrative is rich and layered, weaving personal vendettas with political intrigue. The story here is so good that it easily stands shoulder-to-shoulder with some of Hollywood’s best Middle Ages epics. I found myself deeply invested in Henry’s quest for justice, navigating a world where every decision carries weight. If you are looking for a meaty adventure to bite into Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, clocks in at well over 100+ hours. It’s not filler either; the engaging story is hard to put down, and time flew by for me.
Impactful storytelling and side quests
Even the side quests this time around offer much better stories and rewards. They are so good, much like in RPGs like The Witcher III and Skyrim, I found myself seeking them out to experience more of what this world had to offer. Characters are well-written, even ones you might only experience in a side mission or two. The only drawback here is some NPC models and their voice-acting repeat, sometimes creating a little confusion. It’s a minor qualm but one worth mentioning in what’s otherwise such a huge and detailed world.
The game’s commitment to historical accuracy shines through, offering an emotionally resonant and historically accurate narrative. An example is the town of Kuttenberg, where the in-game map shares many similarities to the actual location. I won’t spoil anything, but you’ll cross paths with actual historical figures in interesting ways. The historical authenticity is incredibly executed and further pulled me into the world and story.
More than just swordplay
The combat system has been fine-tuned and improved in a number of ways, from melee to long-range encounters. The gameplay mechanics have seen significant refinement since the first installment. Combat remains challenging, requiring strategic thinking and precise timing. The directional combat system has been streamlined, reducing the number of attack zones to four from five, making engagements feel more fluid and less cumbersome.
You still need to very carefully manage your stamina meter; wildly thrashing at an enemy will lead to a quick defeat if you aren’t careful. I particularly appreciated the refinement of weapons like crossbows, which added variety to combat scenarios. In the previous game, I felt like hitting your mark at a distance wasn’t accurate. Now, the crossbow is a viable option in combat, which I could often turn to. However, some mechanics, such as lockpicking, still felt a bit finicky, occasionally pulling me out of the immersive experience.
Alchemy and blacksmithing
One of the most rewarding aspects of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is its dedication to medieval craftsmanship, which shines through in alchemy and blacksmithing. In the story, as the son of a blacksmith, Henry’s connection to the forge isn’t just part of the narrative—it’s a vital part of gameplay. This time around, blacksmithing has been expanded, allowing players to craft and repair weapons and armour with a deeper level of detail. It was deeply satisfying heating metal, hammering it into shape, and tempering it properly—though, much like real blacksmithing, it requires patience and precision. The gameplay process for smithing wasn’t perfect, it was hard to get my strikes right with forging smaller objects, but overall, it’s great to have it as a system within the game. It’s incredibly satisfying to forge your own sword, which you can turn around and use in combat.
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble
On the other hand, alchemy is still one of the most immersive mechanics in the game. Brewing potions isn’t just a matter of clicking a button; it involves gathering ingredients, grinding herbs, carefully mixing them in a proper order, and even timing the boiling process. It’s one of those rare mechanics that doesn’t just feel like a side activity—it genuinely enhances immersion, making me feel like I was living the life of a medieval tradesman. I did find the process overly complicated in the original, but the developers found ways to streamline the process and make it more enjoyable. Whether I was forging my own blade or crafting a poison to give me an edge in battle, these systems made me appreciate Kingdom Come: Deliverance II beyond just its combat and storytelling.
Graphics and performance
The landscapes of Bohemia are rendered with breathtaking detail, from dense forests to bustling medieval towns. I reviewed the game on the PlayStation 5 Pro, and it offered the best experience combining performance and fidelity modes in one. Depending on what model of the PS5 you own, you’ll need to pick between “performance” or “fidelity”. The developer suggests the PS5 Pro for the best experience on the PlayStation platform. The performance mode on the PS5 base model is upscaled to 1440p 60fps. Whereas the other fidelity offers sharper visuals upscaled to 2160p with a lower framerate at 30fps.
The PS5 Pro provides the power to combine both modes with a sharp 2160p running at 60fps, which looks stunning. The game ran smoothly on the PlayStation 5 Pro, with minimal load times and no noticeable frame rate drops. I did see minor graphical glitches with armour and characters clipping through smaller objects. These by no means were a “deal breaker” when you consider the sheer scale and ambition of the game and adventure. The attention to detail in character models and architecture is commendable, making exploration a delight.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II audio and sound design
The audio experience is equally impressive. The soundtrack, composed by Jan Valta and Adam Sporka, perfectly complements the game’s setting with orchestral pieces that connect the era beautifully. Ambient sounds, from birds chirping to the clanging of blacksmiths’ hammers, further helped pull me into the medieval world. The voice acting of the key characters is also top-notch, with great interactions that help engage you in the world. The only issue I had was the overuse of the same actors playing multiple characters in lesser roles. This is forgivable with the scale and scope of the game, but you could hear very similar voices with multiple NPCs throughout the kingdom.
Final thoughts on Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a triumph in historical and action RPG design. It builds upon its predecessor’s foundation, offering a richer narrative, refined gameplay mechanics, and a world I loved exploring. While it has minor flaws, such as occasional clunky mechanics, these are overshadowed by the game’s many strengths. Whether you’re a returning fan or new to the series, this game offers a compelling journey through medieval Bohemia that’s well worth undertaking.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rich, immersive central narrative | Some mechanics remain unintuitive |
| Engrossing side quests that are worth your time | Occasional minor bugs |
| Refined combat mechanics | A learning curve for newcomers still exists |
| Stunning visuals and very well-optimized | NPC models and voice actors sometimes repeat |
Overall assessment of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Gameplay: 4.5/5
Graphics: 5/5
Sound: 4/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 4.5/5
Overall rating: 4.5/5 (90%)
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