Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 review time! Henry is back, still stubborn, still broke, and still trying to survive in a version of Bohemia that loves consequences more than comfort. The sequel keeps the uncompromising sim flavor but makes one huge structural change that affects everything you do. The world is not a single sprawl anymore. It is two distinct maps that you move between, and that shift does more than change scenery, it changes how the game paces your life.
Henry Returns, But the Kingdom Is Not the Same
If you bounced off the first game for being a little prickly, know this, the sequel is friendlier without sanding off its identity. You still deal with stamina, reputation, and gear layers, you just get better signposting and a cleaner ramp. The big twist is structural. The countryside and the city have been separated into their own sandboxes, each with its own rhythm and pressure. For more on grounded roleplay and why single-player still thrives, explore our hub: PC Single-Player Reviews 2025.
Bohemian Paradise, The Wild Heart
The rural map leans into patrol roads, forest trails, and villages where gossip travels faster than you do. You hunt, you track bandits, you get ambushed, and you cut through greenery that hides more trouble than it shows. This side of the game is about space, patience, and reading terrain. It is the place where you plan.
Compared to the first game’s familiar haunts, this countryside feels wider and more willing to let you choose your pace. It is also where mid tier PCs breathe a little easier. Fewer crowds, longer sightlines, less AI pathfinding in tight lanes. If you love the feeling of setting off with a full quiver and a bad idea, this is home. See how open-world games have evolved into smarter, more reactive worlds where realism meets freedom.
Kuttenberg, The Urban Beast
Kuttenberg is where the elbows come out. Narrow streets, stacked interiors, markets that feel like they could spill into fistfights with a small nudge. Quests here are less about chasing deer and more about chasing power, money, and influence. You feel watched, judged, and occasionally trapped by your own choices.
City density stresses rigs more than the open country. Expect more CPU work from crowds and AI, plus heavier geometry. If your frame rate dips anywhere, it will be here. It fits the theme too. The city squeezes you, both in story and in performance.
Also: If you crave games that punish mistakes but teach through them, check out our Hades II Review.
Two Maps, One Narrative
Splitting the world changes how the story breathes. Big choices in Kuttenberg can echo across the villages. Leads send you out into the wild, then drag you back into politics. Travel becomes part of the narrative rather than dead time. You feel the contrast every time you cross over. It is not just fast travel, it is a mood shift.
Compared to the first game’s single-map flow, this structure keeps momentum clean. The countryside lets you reset and prep, the city cashes in the decisions. The split is a design choice with teeth, and it pays off more often than it gets in the way.
Combat and Systems, Familiar Yet Sharper
Melee still rewards discipline. Footwork and stamina matter. Timing still wins fights, but readability is better and openings feel fair. The big shake up is ranged play. Crossbows give you satisfying punch without turning the game into a shooter, and early firearms show up later as loud problem solvers with real tradeoffs.
RPG systems are still the glue. Clothing layers change stats and social reactions. A tidy haircut can open doors. Reputation closes them if you foul it up. It is all deliciously old school in spirit, just tuned so you spend more time making decisions and less time wrestling the UI. Also if you are Looking for combat that trades realism for rhythm? Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment swaps feudal physics for fantasy finesse.
Performance Reality Check
KCD2 is not shy about what it wants from your PC. Here is the plain advice if you want smooth play without stress.
- 1080p, High, 30–60 fps: Recent 6 to 8 core CPU, 32 GB RAM, RTX 2060 Super or RX 5700 class, fast SSD.
- 1440p, High, 60 fps (sweet spot): Strong 8 to 12 core CPU, 32 GB RAM, RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT, NVMe SSD.
- 4K, Ultra, ~30 fps: High end CPU, 32 GB RAM, RTX 4080 class or RX 7900 XT, very fast NVMe SSD.
Why 32 GB RAM, not 16. Crowds, high resolution textures, and background streaming push memory usage higher than older open worlds. Kuttenberg especially hammers CPUs with AI and navigation, so do not starve the processor. If you are on a tighter budget, cap shadows, crowd density, and heavy post effects first.
Want help picking parts. Start here: Best Budget PC Build and How to Pick PC Parts That Fit and Perform.
Useful Comparisons and Context
- How sequels scale up scope without losing the soul, see our take on Frostpunk 2’s scope vs fan expectations.
- Industry pulse checks and reveal roundups, like Gamescom 2025’s best reveals.
- If you like waiting games and platform puzzles, our Silksong guide shows the other end of the game spectrum.
FAQ
Is Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 beginner friendly?
It’s friendlier than the first game, with better tutorials and pacing. That said, it still expects patience and learning — button mashers will struggle.
What should I upgrade first for better performance?
Move to 32 GB RAM if you’re still on 16. Next, upgrade your GPU to an RTX 4070 / RX 7800 XT tier for 1440p play. Very old CPUs will still bottleneck in cities.
Where can I buy the game or check official info?
You can find it on the Steam store page and at the Warhorse Studios official site.
Is Hans Capon in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2?
Yes, Hans Capon returns and plays a bigger role this time. His friendship with Henry is central to both story and character development.
Does the game include new weapons?
Yes. Crossbows and primitive firearms join the arsenal, adding more variety to ranged combat while keeping balance intact.
How big is the world compared to the first game?
The sequel features two maps — Bohemian Paradise and Kuttenberg. Together they’re larger than the first game’s single map and offer more variety in terrain and quest design.
Is mod support available at launch?
Warhorse has confirmed ongoing support and the community is already preparing tools. Expect mods to expand QoL features, visuals, and roleplay depth post-launch.
Verdict, The Cost of Splitting a Kingdom
Dividing the world into countryside and city is not a gimmick. It is a design choice that sharpens story flow and gives the game a rhythm the first one never had. The countryside lets you think. The city forces you to act. Combat is cleaner, systems are clearer, and performance is heavy but manageable if you build smart.
If you wanted a safer sequel, this is not it. If you wanted a bolder one that doubles down on identity, you found it. That is the short version of this Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 review. The longer version is the thrill of riding into a quiet valley after a loud mistake in Kuttenberg and realizing the map split just made the story hit harder.
