Henry is back. But honestly, he’s not the clumsy, illiterate blacksmith's boy you remember from the first game—at least, not entirely. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II gameplay takes that clunky, hyper-realistic foundation from 2018 and stretches it across a massive, two-map Bohemian landscape that feels surprisingly lived-in. It’s bigger. It’s louder. Yet, somehow, Warhorse Studios managed to keep that "getting beat up by a peasant in a ditch" energy that made the original a cult classic.
If you played the first one, you know the struggle.
The sequel doesn't ditch the realism. Instead, it leans into the chaos of the 15th-century Hussite Wars. You aren't just surviving anymore; you're caught in a sprawling cinematic revenge story involving kings and sieges. But the core remains: if you don't eat, you'll starve, and if you don't wash the blood off your gambeson, the local shopkeepers will think you're a murderer. Or a hobo. Neither is great for prices.
The Combat is Still Mean (But You Have a Gun Now)
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the combat system. Warhorse stuck with the directional "star" pattern for swordplay. It’s still about timing. It’s still about stamina management. If you swing wildly, you’ll be out of breath in six seconds and someone will put a mace through your skull. Simple as that.
However, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II gameplay introduces something the first game lacked: early firearms. We’re talking primitive hand cannons. They are loud, inaccurate, and take forever to load. They are also incredibly satisfying. Using one feels less like playing a shooter and more like setting off a small, dangerous firework in your hands. You get one shot. Make it count, because while you’re trying to reload that pipe, a Cuman will probably be halfway through gutting you.
Crossbows are here too. Finally. They offer a middle ground between the high-skill ceiling of the longbow and the "pray and spray" nature of the hand cannons.
The feedback loop of combat feels weightier now. When you hit someone with a warhammer, they don't just lose HP; they stumble. Their armor gets dented. The game uses a complex layering system for clothing and armor—up to 16 slots—meaning your choice of a heavy brigandine over a light tunic actually changes how you move and take hits. It's granular. Some might say it's tedious, but for the fans, it's the whole point.
Living in Kuttenberg: More Than Just a Fast Travel Hub
The city of Kuttenberg is massive. Like, genuinely huge. In the first game, Rattay was a decent-sized town, but Kuttenberg feels like a proper medieval metropolis. This isn't a "Ubisoft" city where 90% of the doors are painted on. People have jobs. They go to the tavern. They sleep. They notice if you're crouching behind them at 3:00 AM.
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The NPC reaction system has been overhauled. It’s more fluid. If you walk around town drunk and shirtless, people will comment on it. If you’re a local hero, they’ll cheer. If you’ve been caught stealing, they’ll be wary. It’s a reactive world that doesn't rely on a binary "Good/Evil" slider. It’s about reputation and "vibe."
- Crime and Punishment: You can't just kill a merchant and hide. The law is persistent.
- Social Stealth: Your clothes act as your disguise. Dressing like a nobleman gets you into different places than dressing like a monk.
- Branching Quests: There are often three or four ways to solve a problem that don't involve a sword. Maybe you just talk your way out of it. Or maybe you find a secret entrance because you spent the last hour getting drunk with the guard's cousin.
The Brutal Reality of Henry’s Skills
Henry starts the sequel with some experience, but he's not a superhero. You still have to practice. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II gameplay doubles down on the "learn by doing" philosophy. Want to be better at alchemy? You have to actually stand at the brewing station, heat the coals, grind the herbs, and flip the hourglass. It’s a mini-game that rewards focus rather than just clicking a "craft" button.
Lockpicking is back, and yes, it’s still going to make you want to throw your controller across the room until you get the hang of it. But that’s the charm. It’s a simulator.
The skill trees are deep. You can specialize in things that actually matter for roleplaying, like "Reading" or "Drinking." Yes, drinking is a skill. You can become a functional alcoholic who gets buffs from booze but suffers horrific hangovers that tank your stats the next morning. It's these weird, granular details that make the game feel human.
A Tale of Two Maps
The game is split into two distinct areas. One is the rugged, heart-of-the-forest wilderness around Trosky Castle. It’s beautiful, green, and full of bandits hiding in the bushes. The other is the urban sprawl of Kuttenberg. Switching between these environments changes the "feel" of the gameplay entirely.
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In the woods, you're hunting, tracking, and trying not to get ambushed. In the city, you're navigating politics, guilds, and the church. The contrast is sharp. It prevents the 50+ hour campaign from feeling like a slog through the same muddy field over and over again.
Why the Realism Matters
Some critics argue that the save system (Saviour Schnapps) or the need to eat and sleep is just "filler." They’re wrong. These mechanics create stakes. When you’re deep in a forest and haven't saved in twenty minutes, a sudden encounter with three bandits feels terrifying. You have something to lose. That tension is exactly what makes Kingdom Come: Deliverance II gameplay stand out in a market full of power-fantasy RPGs where you’re an unkillable god by level ten.
The sequel also tackles the Hussite Wars with a level of historical accuracy that’s frankly nerdy. You’ll see real religious tensions and real historical figures. The developers worked with historians to ensure that the architecture, the weapons, and even the social hierarchies are as close to 1403 Bohemia as possible. It’s basically a time machine with a "stab" button.
Actionable Steps for New and Returning Players
If you’re planning to dive into Henry’s next chapter, don't play it like Skyrim. You will die. Frequently.
Focus on your gear maintenance early. A dull sword does significantly less damage, and bloody armor makes everyone hate you. Keep a whetstone and a repair kit in your horse's saddlebags at all times.
Don't ignore the social skills. While it’s tempting to put all your points into Strength and Agility, being able to talk your way out of a fight or negotiate a higher quest reward is often more valuable. The "Speech" skill is your best friend in Kuttenberg.
Learn to use the crossbow. Even if you love the sword, having a ranged option that doesn't require the insane stamina drain of a longbow is a literal lifesaver during group fights. Fire one bolt to thin the crowd, then draw your steel.
Watch your "Conspicuousness" stat. If you’re trying to be a thief, wearing shiny plate armor is a bad idea. Keep a set of dark, silent clothes in your inventory for night missions. The game tracks the noise your gear makes—heavy metal clanks, while leather and cloth are silent. Use that to your advantage.
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Lastly, remember that failure is part of the story. Sometimes getting caught or losing a fight opens up new quest branches you wouldn't have seen otherwise. Embrace the mess. That is the true essence of the Kingdom Come experience.