Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 gives players a grounded RPG that is rooted in realism rather than fantasy, and that alone should put it on RPG fans’ radars. Picking up immediately after the events of the 2018 original, this ambitious sequel doubles down on what made its predecessor unique, offering an even richer, more immersive medieval world, and it’s all the better for it. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 constantly rewards patience, curiosity, and attention to detail and is one of the rare games in which the sequel is leagues better than the original.
Set in 15th-century Bohemia, the game continues the story of Henry, who travels with nobleman Hans Capon on a politically delicate journey. Of course, things quickly become a mess because why wouldn’t they? An ambush leaves Henry and Capon as the sole survivors, and the narrative spirals into a sprawling tale of revenge, survival, and shifting allegiances, all dependent on player choice.
While the overarching story is dramatic and well-paced, Deliverance 2 shines most when players are working with smaller stories within side quests. The beaten path is narratively the strongest area of the game, and even though some voice performances fall short of being solid, everything in the narrative just clicks. It’s just an entertaining romp from beginning to end, and the solid writing and quest structure is a big part of the experience.
Have you seen those silly memes and short videos about your RPG character looking ridiculous in their in-game armor during cutscenes? NPC comment on those kinds of things. After a random brawl, an NPC might comment on how they need to get their stuff together and stop getting into these fights. It’s the little things, and it’s great that the development team accounted for all of these little situations, which just makes the world feel more real.
This is not a game for those who want to instantly feel like an overpowered hero. Nearly every system—from swordplay to alchemy—is layered with complexity and slow-ish progression. Combat is solid, with directional attacks and timed counters that reward players who grasp the timing and rhythm of the game. The builds all feel distinct and encourage multiple ways of play too, so replays don’t feel samey.
Deliverance 2 is a technically lovely, with beautiful environments and great viusals throughout. The world isn’t just an empty space that looks nice though. Towns feel bustling and forests are fully developed. The audio design is just as impressive as the visuals. The sound effects feel real, yet grounded and not exaggerated. The music is subtle, but does just what it needs to to engage the player without distrating them.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 might be the premier historical RPG. It’s attention to details is incredibly impressive and all of the small approaches to worldbuilding aren’t unnoticed. It’s a slower RPG, but in a time where everything is full of spectacle, it’s nice to have a grounded experience that isn’t just a cozy game. It’s a true RPG rooted in reality, and there is nothing out there like it.
