Tom's Guide Verdict
Exploring the world of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is like a journey through time. The game's dedication to historical accuracy is impressive, creating an immersive RPG experience. Yet, the absence of certain player aids can be both a strength and a weakness, adding to the game's realistic nature while posing challenges to players.
Pros
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Authentic medieval setting
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Loads of well-designed quests
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Strong visuals (on PS5 Pro)
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Absolutely huge open-world
Cons
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Core mechanics can frustrate
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Some technical hiccups
Why you can trust Tom's Guide
Platforms:
PC, PS5 (reviewed), Xbox Series X
Price:
$69 / £59 / AU$114
Release Date:
February 4, 2025
Genre:
RPG
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 focuses on the outcomes of the choices you make. In one quest, I mediated a conflict between a wise woman and a wealthy landowner. Despite my efforts to reconcile them, the situation escalated into a violent confrontation, resulting in fatal consequences.
Concealing the body among the bushes and taking whatever money he had on him seemed like a good idea at the time. With no one around to witness the act, it appeared to be a flawless crime. Little did I know, the local authorities quickly linked the arrival of a stranger to the mysterious vanishing of the esteemed townsman.
During my latest trip to the village, I got apprehended and branded on the neck with a red-hot iron. This stigmatized me as an unethical character, leading the locals to shun me. The excruciating marking persisted for several in-game days, entirely stemming from my own choices without any scripted events. This memorable experience, among many others, unfolded organically during my 40-hour journey in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
This follow-up to the 2018 original, which showed potential despite technical imperfections, offers an exceptionally profound role-playing journey. The game allows for a multitude of diverse approaches to various situations, leading to outcomes that frequently defy expectations. Allow me to elaborate on the captivating and immersive nature of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: The Basics
- What is it? Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is an immersive medieval RPG that follows the journey of Henry, a blacksmith's son, in 15th-century Bohemia. Continuing the tradition of its forerunner, KC:D 2 focuses on historical accuracy to craft a compelling and lifelike medieval setting.
- Who is it for? For those who prefer a more methodical and leisurely gaming experience, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 might be the perfect fit. This game challenges players with quests that allow for various solutions, avoiding hand-holding and encouraging strategic thinking.
- What's the price? The Standard Edition costs $69 . There's also a Gold Edition for $89 Enhance your experience with the Gallant Huntsman’s Kit and the Expansion Pass, unlocking three future DLCs.
- What other games has the developer made? Over the course of 13 years, Warhorse Studios developed two notable games: Kingdom Come: Deliverance and its successor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
- What games is this similar to? Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 draws inspiration from known fantasy RPGs, such as The Witcher 3 and Baldur's Gate 3, but stands out for its emphasis on realism, setting it apart.
Journey through history
Embark on a journey to 15th-century Bohemia with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Assume the character of Henry, a blacksmith's son under the guardianship of nobleman Sir Hans Capon. Whether you're a returning enthusiast or a novice, the game provides ample background information to immerse you in its world and storyline.
Henry is a character with a set personality, similar to Geralt in The Witcher series, but you have the freedom to mold him as you wish. You can portray Henry as a hotheaded fighter who prefers solving conflicts in taverns with fists or weapons, or you can choose a more diplomatic approach. In my case, I crafted a Henry who is eloquent and persuasive, excelling in communication, yet still proficient with a blade when words prove insufficient.
Henry, the protagonist, may be central, but it is Bohemia that truly shines in the spotlight. The expansive open world of the game is divided into two substantial maps, both of which are a delight to discover. Unlike other historical RPG series like Assassin’s Creed, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 excels in capturing the essence of a genuine medieval setting, providing an unmatched level of authenticity through its depiction of Bohemia.
Several times, I veered off my main task to leisurely explore the vast open world, immersing myself in the vivid scenery of 15th-century Europe. These historical detours were as delightful and meaningful as the pivotal plot points in the storyline.
A true role-playing experience
After numerous aimless wanderings, I decided to embark on a purposeful journey. playing In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, I encountered an RPG that truly embraces realism, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in a medium where respawning is a common feature.
In the Kingdom Come universe, every action is purposeful and systematic. Unlike many contemporary RPGs where creating a sword is a matter of gathering materials and navigating menus, here you are required to personally craft your weapons. Ensuring your blade is sharp post-production demands time at the grinding wheel. This meticulous and industrious philosophy extends across all aspects of the game, from alchemy to the mechanics of fast travel.
Henry in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 comes with various status indicators that require constant attention. Keeping track of his hunger, fatigue, and personal hygiene is essential. The game strips away many modern comforts, which may initially seem challenging. However, it adds depth to every decision, making them more meaningful. Surprisingly, it turns mundane tasks like washing clothes into rewarding experiences. This level of detail sets Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 apart, offering a unique and immersive gameplay experience.
Occasionally, the game teeters between frustration and enjoyment. The requirement to consume offers minimal value beyond a basic task. another Monitoring food spoilage is challenging due to medieval bread quickly growing moldy. The decision to retain the controversial save system from the first game seems more like developer's obstinacy.
In order to save your progress manually, you must possess a particular elixir. Crafting this potion is a relatively straightforward process. Yet, within a gaming environment prone to costly errors and encounters with lethal bandit groups, the limited save feature can seem unduly harsh. Losing substantial advancement frequently proves to be a significant source of frustration.
I need your help with something
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 excels in many aspects, with its quest design standing out the most. The majority of quests are not only exceptionally well-crafted but also abundant in number, almost overwhelmingly so. Upon entering the game's second zone, the sheer amount of quest icons flooding my map left me feeling inundated.
Even though the main quests in the game are captivating and offer a chance to interact with Sir Hans, one of the most beloved characters, the side quests should not be overlooked. These additional tasks introduce fascinating secondary characters, present challenging moral decisions, and are crafted with as much care and importance as the main storyline.
One remarkable aspect of the quests in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the multitude of completion options available. It goes beyond the typical choice between stealth or direct confrontation. Numerous quests present over six distinct paths, leading to unique quest lines and outcomes tailored to the player's character, Henry.
My favored strategy involved negotiating my way out of peril. Nevertheless, even the most eloquent speech cannot surpass the sharpness of a scimitar, leading to unavoidable confrontations at times. In Kingdom Come, combat requires precision. Haphazardly attacking will result in defeat; hence, it is essential to meticulously plan your moves and consider the opponent's protective gear. It is futile to aim for the chest of an adversary clad in a steel breastplate!
The combat system in the sequel to Kingdom Come has been enhanced compared to the original game, featuring a more user-friendly directional control system. However, it still lacks fluidity and can feel overly rigid at times. Especially when additional fighters are introduced, the battles tend to become uneven and unbalanced. Certain primary missions involve large-scale conflicts with numerous swordsmen involved, highlighting awkward animations and subpar artificial intelligence.
You polish up well
Kingdom Come: Deliverance encountered significant technical issues upon its initial release. The situation was so dire in 2018 that I put the game aside for two years before revisiting it in 2020. I am pleased to share that while evaluating Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 for this review, the number of bugs, glitches, and visual anomalies I encountered remained well within acceptable limits.
While it's not accurate to claim there are no bugs in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, they do exist. However, unlike the first version known for frequent crashes and quest problems, the current glitches are less severe. They include minor issues like occasional dropped frames during intense scenes and minor texture pop-up, easily forgiven in comparison.
During my gameplay, I encountered a minor setback that hindered me from finishing a side quest. It was frustrating because the quest automatically failed as I advanced in the main story, leaving me unable to revisit it. Despite this, it was the sole significant problem I faced in over 40 hours of play, with zero instances of crashing.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: Verdict
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 offers an immersive RPG experience with meticulously designed quests driven by player decisions. The main storyline delves into authentic historical and societal matters, adding depth to the gameplay. Yet, the game's focus on realism may pose a challenge for players seeking a more immediate and casual experience.
For those seeking immediate satisfaction or a simplified RPG experience, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 may not be the best choice. However, if you desire to immerse yourself in a genuinely authentic environment where your decisions have a real impact, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 offers unparalleled medieval realism that will truly captivate you.

Rory is a Senior Entertainment Editor at Tom’s Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on gaming and streaming. When he’s not reviewing the latest games, searching for hidden gems on Netflix, or writing hot takes on new gaming hardware, TV shows and movies, he can be found attending music festivals and getting far too emotionally invested in his favorite football team.