Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is widely praised as a deep, ambitious, and extremely immersive medieval RPG, but it is also demanding, occasionally clunky, and not for players who dislike “hardcore” systems.
Overall reception
Critic reviews are very strong, with several outlets giving it top or near‑top scores and calling it one of the standout RPGs of the year thanks to its believable world, systemic depth, and strong continuation of Henry’s story. User impressions are mostly very positive as well, though there is a vocal minority that finds it frustrating or poorly balanced.
Strengths
- Deep, reactive medieval simulation with historically grounded 15th‑century Bohemia, where towns, countryside, politics, and daily life feel unusually alive for an open‑world RPG.
- Strong narrative focus on Henry and Hans, with long, novel‑like quest arcs spanning warfare, heists, intrigue, and personal drama that many reviewers describe as memorable and absorbing.
- Improved systems over the first game: more refined melee combat and perks, richer side quests, better visuals and performance, and layered simulation mechanics (survival, reputation, crafting) that reward patience.
Weaknesses
- Still challenging and sometimes unforgiving: early hours can feel slow or punishing, with complex systems and survival elements that demand attention to food, travel, and preparation.
- Technical and design rough edges remain, including occasional bugs, stiff or odd animations, and mechanics that some players find clunky or immersion‑breaking.
- Combat and pacing do not work for everyone: a few critics and players find the fighting either too stat‑dependent or simply not satisfying enough compared to the rest of the experience, and some story segments drag.
Should you play it?
If you enjoyed the first Kingdom Come or like hardcore, systems‑heavy RPGs (e.g., more simulation than power fantasy), KCD2 is strongly recommended and often called a must‑play. If you prefer streamlined, fast‑paced action RPGs or have low tolerance for jank, tough starts, and strict survival mechanics, it may feel more frustrating than fun.
