Warhorse Studios is basically doubling down on the "choices matter" trope, but they’re actually making it work this time. Honestly, if you played the first game, you remember how Henry was just a blacksmith’s boy trying not to die of hunger or a stray arrow. In the sequel, things get way messier. The Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 All's Fair philosophy isn't just a catchy subtitle or a quest name; it’s the core of how the game handles the brutal, unwashed reality of 15th-century Bohemia. You aren't just a knight in shining armor. You’re a man in a world that’s falling apart.
Henry has grown up. He’s older, scruffier, and carries the weight of a civil war on his shoulders. But the world around him hasn't gotten any kinder. The developers have been very clear that the "All’s Fair" mentality applies to both the player and the NPCs. If you decide to be a menace in Kuttenberg, the city won't just give you a slap on the wrist. People remember. They react. It’s a reactive ecosystem that feels less like a series of scripts and more like a living, breathing place that kind of hates you if you’re a jerk.
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The Brutality of Medieval Justice
In the original game, the crime system was pretty standard for an RPG. You steal a loaf of bread, the guard chases you, you pay a fine or go to jail. Simple. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 All's Fair approach throws that simplicity out the window. Now, the social standing system is tied to your physical appearance and your past deeds in a much more granular way. If you’re covered in blood and walking around the high-end districts of Kuttenberg, people are going to assume the worst. And they should! It’s 1403. Life is cheap.
The "All’s Fair" aspect really shines when you look at the combat and quest resolutions. Warhorse has moved away from the binary "Good" vs "Evil" choices. Instead, you're faced with situations where every outcome has a bit of dirt on it. Sometimes the "right" thing to do involves a bit of light arson or lying to a priest. It’s about survival and loyalty to Sir Hans Capon, and in war, well, all's fair.
Why Kuttenberg is the Ultimate Testing Ground
The scale of this game is massive compared to the first. We're talking two maps, with Kuttenberg being this sprawling, silver-mining metropolis. It’s dense. It’s dirty. It’s the perfect place for the Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 All's Fair mechanics to actually breathe. In a small village like Rattay, you could eventually learn everyone's patterns. In a city this size? You're a small fish in a very dangerous pond.
You'll find that NPCs have much more agency now. If you're caught stealing, an NPC might not just run for a guard. They might try to blackmail you. Or they might gather a mob. This unpredictability is what makes the "All's Fair" tagline feel earned rather than just marketing fluff. It’s about the chaos of human nature.
Combat: It’s Not Just Point and Click
Let's talk about the swords. Or the maces. Or the newly added crossbows and early firearms (handgonnes). The combat in the first game was polarizing—you either loved the technical "Master Strikes" or you hated getting stuck in animations. In the sequel, the Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 All's Fair mantra applies to the battlefield too.
The handgonnes are a massive game-changer. They aren't "balanced" in the way modern shooters are. They are loud, slow to load, and incredibly lethal. If you have one, you have a massive advantage, but if it misfires or you miss your one shot? You’re dead. That’s the fairness of the medieval era—technology was changing the rules of engagement, and Henry is right in the middle of that transition.
- Crossbows allow for a more tactical, "dishonorable" approach to fights.
- Mounted combat has been refined to feel less like steering a boat and more like riding a powerful animal.
- The environment is now a weapon; pushing someone off a ledge or into a fire is totally on the table.
The Reputation Ripple Effect
One of the most impressive things Warhorse has discussed is how your reputation ripples out. It’s not just a bar that goes up or down. If you help a merchant in one part of the city, his cousins in another district might give you a discount. Conversely, if you develop a reputation for being a drunkard who picks fights in taverns, don't expect the local nobility to take you seriously when you're trying to navigate high-stakes diplomacy.
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This is where the Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 All's Fair system gets really interesting. You can "win" a quest by being a total psychopath, but the long-term cost might be that you've locked yourself out of a peaceful resolution later. The game doesn't stop you from being a villain, but it makes sure you feel the weight of that choice. It's about the consequences that come when you stop caring about the "fair" way of doing things.
Henry and Hans: A Bromance for the Ages
We can't talk about this game without mentioning the relationship between Henry and Sir Hans Capon. Their dynamic is the heart of the story. While Henry is the practical, often cynical lead, Hans provides that noble (if slightly sheltered) perspective. Their interactions often highlight the Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 All's Fair theme—Hans expects the world to follow the rules of chivalry, while Henry knows that a peasant with a billhook doesn't care about your family crest.
The banter is sharper. The stakes are higher. Watching these two navigate the political minefield of 15th-century Bohemia is honestly one of the main draws. It’s not just about the war; it’s about these two guys trying to stay alive and maybe have a drink or two along the way.
Realism vs. Fun: The Eternal Struggle
Warhorse is known for their "Historical Realism" obsession. Some people find it tedious. I get it. Having to eat, sleep, and wash your clothes can feel like chores. But in the context of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 All's Fair, these survival elements provide the friction that makes the world feel real. If you don't take care of yourself, you're at a disadvantage.
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The sequel seems to be smoothing out some of the jank from the first game while keeping the grit. The save system is more forgiving, but the world is more dangerous. It’s a trade-off. They’ve realized that "realism" shouldn't mean "frustration." It should mean "immersion." When you land a perfect parry or successfully talk your way out of a hanging, it feels earned because the game didn't hold your hand.
How to Prepare for the Chaos
If you're planning on jumping into this when it drops, you need to shift your mindset. Forget the power fantasy of other RPGs. You aren't a god. You’re a guy named Henry.
- Don't rush the main quest. The beauty of this game is in the side stories and the random encounters.
- Learn to read the room. If an NPC looks like they’re about to snap, they probably are.
- Invest in your gear. A dull sword is a death sentence, and a dirty tunic is a social death sentence.
- Experiment with the new weapons. Don't just stick to the longsword. Try the handgonne. It’s ridiculous and amazing.
The Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 All's Fair philosophy means the world is just as likely to screw you over as it is to reward you. Embrace the messiness. If a plan goes sideways, don't just reload your save. See where the failure takes you. Oftentimes, the most interesting stories in KCD come from when things go horribly, spectacularly wrong.
The level of detail in the armor alone is staggering. You have layers—gambeson, chainmail, plate. Each piece affects your movement and your visibility. If you go "All's Fair" and decide to dress like a common bandit to sneak into a camp, the game respects that. But if you get caught, don't expect to be treated like a prisoner of war. You'll be treated like a thief. And the medieval punishment for thieves isn't a "Game Over" screen; it’s usually much more painful.
Ultimately, this sequel looks like it’s taking everything that made the first game a cult classic and scaling it up without losing its soul. It’s still weird. It’s still hard. It’s still unapologetically Czech. And in a sea of sanitized, corporate-feeling RPGs, that’s exactly what we need.
Moving Forward in Bohemia
To get the most out of your time in Kuttenberg, focus on building a character that fits your playstyle early. If you want to lean into the Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 All's Fair mentality, try a "Grey" playthrough. Don't be a saint, but don't be a monster. See how the world reacts when you're just a man trying to do his best in an impossible situation. Pay attention to the environmental cues—the way guards look at you, the way the music shifts in different districts. These are the things that will tell you if you're about to walk into a trap or a goldmine. Keep your sword sharp, your boots clean, and your handgonne loaded.