Let’s call it like it is—Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 might not be everyone’s idea of fun.
While most games make sure you’ve got your seatbelt on, KCD2 is the one revving the engine and telling you to hold on tight. If we’re to take the criticisms at face value, one might conclude that the game is nothing more than a frustrating, clunky mess.
But let’s put a pin in that for a sec. KCD2 has its flaws, sure. But it’s far from the disaster some would have you believe. In fact, if this is what bad looks like, then I don’t want good.
The controls are clunky at times, and the story can feel like it’s tripping over its own complex narrative, leaving some to wonder if they should’ve just stuck to a good ol’ straightforward RPG formula. The world also feels almost too into you, with NPCs that go about their day-to-day routines, reacting to everything from your smell (I can't make this up) to your reputation.
Frustration comes with the territory when you're up against a complex combat system, real-time consequences to decisions, and an open world where every action can ripple out and affect the future. The world’s reactive (I guess that’s an issue for some?), and that’s exactly why I’m in—even if it means getting chased after borrowing a horse and putting on armor that, uh, wasn’t mine.
Clunky? Sure. Frustrating? Sometimes. One of the best RPGs? Absolutely.
For anyone familiar with the first game, you know it didn’t cut you any slack. Its gritty realism, historically accurate world, and a combat system that was about as far from a button-mashing hack-and-slash as you can get were anything but mainstream.
Fast-forward to the sequel, and you’ve got a game that’s just as unforgiving, just as detailed, and, frankly, even more immersive. If KCD2 isn’t good in the traditional sense, where you can breeze through and get instant gratification, then I say we’ve got a serious problem. Because this game isn’t about quick fixes or easy wins; it’s about creating a world so real that one wrong move can send you straight back to square one.
The world Warhorse Studios has built for KCD2 is stunning. And I’m not just talking about the graphics—though let’s be clear, this game looks exquisite. From the pitter-patter of rain against your armor to the way the grass seems to wave at your feet, it's clear this world wasn't just built—it was handcrafted with care. But it’s not just the scenery; it’s the fact that this world is living, breathing, and doesn’t give a damn about your actions unless you take them seriously.
Mess up a quest? Tough luck, the world doesn’t stop. Your choices? Yep, they’re here to stay. I knew KCD2 would have a serious crime system, but this level of detail? I’m honestly in awe—and wondering if I should start a crime spree just to see how far it can go. Sure, it’s tough when a character you’ve grown attached to bites the dust, but that’s the way it works. That’s what gives this game its zing, at least in my not-so-humble opinion.
Let’s talk about combat. This is where it slaps down the gauntlet. If you want an easy way out, this game isn’t for you. The combat is punishingly realistic. A sword’s only as good as your timing, stamina, and game plan—so don’t just hack away. Your character starts off a bit rough around the edges, but with enough practice, they’ll be handling business.
Unlike so many RPGs where combat feels like an afterthought, KCD2 treats it as an art form. It’s messy, it’s exhausting, but it’s incredibly rewarding once you get the hang of it. And if your frustration’s creeping in because of all the deaths, you’re not the only one who’s been there.
The game’s not here to make you feel like a superhero—it’s here to make you feel like a human, vulnerable and capable of growing (and I think that’s the kind of drive I’ve been missing). Ah, the story. Can’t leave that out. The narrative picks up right where the first game left off, but it doesn’t do so with any pretense.
Welcome to a world where my past mistakes—er, choices—follow me around, and my old pals from the first game still remember what I did. Of course, others might argue it’s a little too forceful or that the game thinks we’re all sentimental fools, but I’m all in for it—it’s a highlight for me.
The story’s a wild ride, a bit messy, and not the type to pamper you along the way. Characters don’t just sit idly by and wait for you to make a decision—they react to what you’ve done. And sure, KCD2 isn’t exactly flawless, but it’s close enough. It has its bugs, and the difficulty spike might send some people running for cover.
No denying it—this game’s got boldness to spare. It dares to be difficult, and more than that, it dares to not explain itself. If you’re willing to invest the time and energy into understanding its systems, it rewards you tenfold. But if you’re here for a cookie-cutter experience where everything is handed to you on a silver platter, then go play something else.
KCD2 doesn’t need you (as if). It’s built for people who want to explore, fail, succeed, and learn in a world that doesn’t cater to their every whim. Is it bad because it doesn’t follow the typical mold of RPGs today? If so, then I’m all for it.
Because KCD2 is a game that cares about giving players an experience that challenges them, that immerses them in a world that’s as brutal as it is beautiful. If that’s bad, then I don’t want good. I want more of this. A world that’s realistic, a story that’s messy, and a game that dares to be different. It’s what makes KCD2 a standout in my RPG lineup, hands down.
It might not meet everyone's definition of a perfect RPG, but it's the kind of game that reminds me of why I fell in love with RPGs in the first place.