Heads up: this contains spoilers for the prologue of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
It’s hard to believe that almost seven years have passed since Kingdom Come: Deliverance first emerged onto the gaming scene, taking us on a journey through medieval Bohemia. Now in 2025, the sequel picks up right where the original left us. Once again, we follow protagonist Henry and Sir Hans Capon as they embark on a perilous mission, trying to deliver a crucial message to Otto von Bergow, lord of Trosky, amid a brewing civil war. Thanks to an early access code from Deep Silver, I had the chance to dive into the prologue ahead of its February 4 release.
The adventure kicks off with a scenic journey through Trosky’s lush woodlands, setting a peaceful tone that’s quickly shattered. Our duo stumbles upon a group of Bergow’s men, led by Captain Thomas, who reveals that Bergow supports Sigismund of Luxembourg. This allegiance presents a grave threat, as Wenceslas IV has been captured by Bohemian nobility supporting Sigismund’s claim to the throne. Tensions rise, but cooler heads prevail when Captain Thomas diffuses the encounter, explaining that they’re on a different mission: hunting bandits.
Unable to make it to Trosky Castle before night falls, Henry and Sir Hans decide to set up camp by a pond. It’s here that players get a crash course in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s mechanics. There’s a bit of negotiation over a sausage for a squire’s dog, and some swordplay practice with Sir Hans. Around the campfire, players can start shaping Henry’s skills and even get some backstory about events from the first game, a nice touch for newcomers.
Just as our heroes plan to wash off the day’s dust in the pond, trouble strikes. Hidden bandits launch a surprise attack, with Sir Hans’ squires caught in the chaos but the dog luckily scampering off unharmed. The women nearby are in danger as well, but Henry’s timely shouts allow them to escape. Amidst the pandemonium, Henry is hit by an arrow while swimming for safety. The night turns into a tense stealth mission as they evade their pursuers through the dark forest. Eventually, a scuffle sends them both tumbling down a cliff. Henry survives but is severely weakened, awakening a familiar sense of vulnerability from the first game.
Sir Hans helps guide him through the next steps as they stumble onto a peasant woman’s humble abode. Despite Henry’s fragmented recollection of his past traumas—the sacking of his hometown Skalitz and his parents’ murder—the woman agrees to help. Moments later, another danger surfaces when a bandit tracks them down, but Sir Hans dispatches him not without suffering injuries himself.
What follows is a quieter period as Henry recuperates. He helps gather herbs, brews medicine, and deals with some testy strangers—all before setting off towards Trosky Castle once again. But this journey isn’t without strife. The duo, sans their gleaming armor and letter of introduction, find themselves turned away at the castle gates. Disheartened but undeterred, they retreat to a nearby village to regroup. Henry hatches a plan to infiltrate a noble wedding attended by Bergow, but not before a confrontation resulting in a village square punishment. With a suitable ending to the prologue, the stage is set for what comes next.
Though I couldn’t explore beyond the prologue for this preview, the early glimpse into Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 promises an enticing continuation of the narrative that captivated so many in the first game. The emotional depth of Henry’s moral struggles, paired with a richly portrayed medieval Europe, signals a compelling follow-up. From what I experienced, the voice acting has improved, the animations are richer, and the visuals are breathtaking—even on my 1080p setup. I’m eager to see how they’ll look with my RTX 4070 Ti SUPER at home.
There are new mechanics to explore too. A “heat” level keeps track of your activities, influencing how vigilant guards become and how townsfolk respond to crime waves. NPCs can now link stolen items or scenes to your character—something that will surely make stealthy operations even more meticulous. Dialogue seems more intricate, with earlier choices potentially influencing later interactions. The skills system remains robust, encouraging players to develop Henry’s abilities through use, reminiscent of The Elder Scrolls’ style.
As for combat, some changes have been made: the attack angles are fewer, and parries seem more forgiving. Whether this affects the challenge remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the alluring narrative and character dynamics have got me hooked. I’m confident that Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 could be among this year’s standout games, both on Xbox and PC. Performance-wise, it ran smoothly on my RTX 3070 laptop, a comforting sign given the shaky start of its predecessor.
Keep an eye out for my full review on February 3, right before the game’s release on February 4 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. It’s available for preorder, with a juicy discount on Steam via CDKeys for PC gamers with capable rigs.
