Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the game that Warhorse Studios always wanted to make - Preview

As someone who has always had a soft spot for historical RPGs and a penchant for getting lost in their intricate mechanics, I must say that my brief encounter with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 at PAX West left me eagerly awaiting its release. The game’s attention to detail and immersive world-building were immediately apparent, even in the small slice of medieval Bohemia I was given to explore.


Despite owning the game multiple times due to my susceptibility to video game sales, I haven’t invested much time into playing the original “Kingdom Come: Deliverance”. Being a fan of the Elder Scrolls series, I find the appeal in experiencing a role-playing game that heavily emphasizes stats and intricacy. The fact that these games are set within significant historical events is an interesting extra feature for me. Since I got an opportunity to preview the upcoming sequel, “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2”, at PAX West, I donned a tunic and leather pants and dove right in.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the game that Warhorse Studios always wanted to make - Preview

KCD2 (Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2) is depicted as Dungeons & Dragons minus dragons, and it’s set in the medieval 15th-century Bohemia, which corresponds to today’s Czech Republic. In this sequel, you continue your role as Henry, a former blacksmith who became a hero in the previous game. The story unfolds with you opposing Sigismund of Luxembourg, also known as the Holy Roman Emperor. During my demo playthrough, I got a glimpse of the expanded city in Bohemia and observed how the developers are integrating multiple choices into their quests. This was demonstrated through testing Henry’s stealth abilities as he attempted to pilfer a rival sword-fighting school’s weapon.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the game that Warhorse Studios always wanted to make - Preview

Tobi Stolz-Zwilling, Warhorse Studios’ International PR Manager (who prefers to be called Tobi), guided me to approach a man on the street to initiate the quest. In no time, I found myself facing off against a highly skilled German swordsman in a duel. Tobi later clarified that this encounter would influence later events in the quest and potentially spare me another duel with his apprentice. This was merely the start of numerous scenarios that would shape this experience uniquely for my gameplay.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the game that Warhorse Studios always wanted to make - Preview

Initially, I assumed this street find-and-solve game would wrap up by the end of the demo; however, each mission unveiled new facets of the objective. In the short span of 30 minutes, I negotiated my way out of imprisonment with a German swordmaster, participated in a botched robbery, sustained multiple beatings, bribed my way out of several tight spots, and arranged for a combat tournament – all while incurring a penalty due to my arrest during the robbery. It was quite the experience, and it wasn’t until after the demo ended that I understood how much the game could vary based on the consequences of my choices.

In Tobi’s words, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 represents the game Warhorse Studios has long aspired to create, made possible by the success of the original game and the devoted community that has emerged around it. With a wealth of statistics, an engaging combat system (which I admit, despite my best efforts during the demo, I didn’t fully grasp), and a sprinkle of historical context, I find myself eagerly anticipating the release next year. Consequently, I plan to dust off one of my copies of the first game and delve back into it so that I’m well-prepared for this upcoming journey.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the game that Warhorse Studios always wanted to make - Preview

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2024-09-16 19:55