Refusing to get drunk in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is an oddly captivating act of rebellion

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This piece offers some revealing details about the final stages of the “Wedding Crashers” mission from Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

In my opinion, immersing myself in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 feels incomplete without experiencing the role of a tippler, even if it’s just during the cutscenes. This game’s 15th-century setting is saturated with various types of alcohol, from the wine used in potions to the finest vintages at banquets, and even the dubious swill sold in seedy taverns. Often, the writing presents alcohol as a tool for comedic misadventures, much like Paul Bettany’s character in A Knight’s Tale. It seems to glorify the spectacle of downing a large drink, with custom dialogue and voice-overs for the protagonist, Henry, when you stumble and explain your antics to guards. However, at times, it may unintentionally convey something about the culture of drinking and the discomfort of being pressured to imbibe excessively.

At the start of the primary narrative, there’s a mission where Henry tries to attend a wedding in order to encounter an influential noble. Along the way, there are several side missions to complete while waiting for this character. Some of these missions involve gambling for tokens and participating in a duel, where losing results in having to drink a jar of Bohemia’s best brew. There’s a group of rebellious cousins who want you to join them for a swig of their potent home-brewed liquor, but first, you must retrieve it from the cellar. To do this, you might need to get a vigilant guard drunk as well.

Amidst all these structured rewards, there’s a constant undercurrent of expectation to drink, socialize, and enjoy mischief. The ambiance is quite captivating in itself, filled with numerous vibrantly dressed NPCs dancing, chatting, and lounging at tables laden with extravagantly decorated hors d’oeuvres. My character, Henry, entered the event under a disguise – he was posing as the bodyguard for a prostitute he had hired to distract a local VIP. This made me feel even more compelled to join in the festivities and conceal my true intentions, while maintaining enough sobriety to carry out my plans. As the mission’s main protagonist, I had to unofficially guide the NPC celebrations while safeguarding my character’s stats against the impacts of excessive indulgence.

Although you may abstain from drinking throughout the game, your actions seem to suggest submission or yielding. The storyline typically concludes with a drunken fight following your discovery in what appears to be an intimate situation with the bride. This final scene emphasizes how the game’s sexism and chauvinism are encouraged by excessive drinking. There are numerous eligible women at the wedding, each portrayed as having their own agency. However, they are all subtly presented as potential prizes or damsels for you and other bachelors to conquer. Among the various aspects of the game, you can accept a bet from two arrogant men to “save” a woman who is being aggressively pursued by a pretentious poet.

Even if you don’t drink much during the game, your actions might make it seem like you’re giving in. The story often ends with a fight after getting caught in what looks like an intimate scene with the bride. This ending highlights how drinking fuels the game’s sexism and chauvinism. There are many women at the wedding who have their own decisions, but they are all presented as potential conquests for you and other men. One of the things you can do in the game is accept a bet from two arrogant guys to “save” a woman who is being harassed by a poet.

As someone who consumes alcohol, I believe Deliverance 2 effectively portrays the feeling of confinement that comes with social gatherings where drinking is customary. I’ve attended weddings and even more distressing events like bachelor parties, which can be overbearing due to forced merriment, often involving derogatory comments aimed at those perceived as weak drinkers or party poopers or someone who doesn’t fit the typical masculine mold, such as a woman.

At certain industry events, I’ve found myself turning to alcohol as a way to cope with jetlag, networking pressures, and tight deadlines. Unfortunately, these events can sometimes be challenging or even risky for female journalists and developers due to the large numbers of intoxicated men, making the environment uncomfortable or potentially unsafe. In contrast, Deliverance 2’s parties are known for being alcohol-free, which is a positive aspect in this regard.

A significant aspect of the wedding quest’s portrayal of bar culture is that Deliverance 2, in general, negatively impacts Henry. Finishing this quest can sometimes feel like an attempt to break free from its seductively corrupting grip. The game consistently encourages him to get at least slightly intoxicated, if not excessively drunk. In a role-playing game context, alcohol is depicted as both a power-up and a double-edged sword. This notion is further reinforced by the quirky manual quicksave system that forces you to occasionally drink from a special flask of schnapps – a recurring temptation to behave like National Lampoon if you save your progress frequently.

I enjoy the process of making my own quicksave juice in KCD2, as it adds a unique element to the game that I wouldn’t usually consider. It makes a common action feel more ritualistic and engaging. However, I can’t help but ponder over the implications this has on real-world alcohol consumption. We save our progress because we’re anxious about potential dangers and don’t want to lose our progress. I don’t mean to imply that a game set in the 15th century should follow modern health guidelines, or give Fox News any misguided notions, but the way KCD2 handles saving could be seen as promoting alcohol as a means of coping with stress.

In this game, pushing the limits can lead to some harsh repercussions. It’s not just about temporary hangovers; it could potentially turn you into an alcoholic. However, overcoming alcoholism in Deliverance 2 is surprisingly straightforward – it feels more like adjusting the game difficulty than a life-changing struggle. Essentially, it involves dealing with some temporary stat reductions for a while. But on the bright side, the allure of an entire skill tree dedicated to boozing is hard to resist! This skill tree offers perks that not only lessen the adverse effects but also enhance abilities like unarmed combat and resistance against fall damage when under the influence. So, it seems leveling up remains a cherished pastime in gaming, doesn’t it?

Despite some negative aspects, the game’s behavior can be seen as intriguing when it comes to the wedding quest, where the game’s role as a toxic enabler is playfully depicted by the rowdy guests eager to offer you drinks. If you prefer to stay sober, remember that time is on your side: the appearance of the person you’re expecting seems to be planned, requiring you to finish certain tasks first. So, if you choose to drink, do so mindfully. Follow my advice at many gaming events and savor the atmosphere from a secluded spot. Perhaps take a stroll by the pond for a change of scenery.

In my review playthrough of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, I successfully finished the quest line without becoming intoxicated, partly due to winning every dice game mentioned earlier, and also by waiting 20 minutes for someone to vacate a kitchen so I could pilfer from the pantry. The next morning, I found myself bruised and imprisoned but not hungover. It seems that Deliverance 2 might have been slightly displeased with me. I guess I was a bit of a downer – far from being the Good Lad – and yet, I’ll consider it a victory. You are quite enjoyable to interact with, Deliverance 2, but you can be a bit of a party pooper at times. I’m starting to feel my age.

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2025-02-19 13:26