Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 appears to be having quite an impressive commercial run! According to this article, the medieval RPG sequel has substantially outperformed its predecessor, selling five times more copies in its first month than the original game’s launch in 2018.

Some key points from the article:

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 sold over 1 million copies on its first day
• By the end of February 2025, it had reached nearly 2 million copies
• According to industry analyst Mat Piscatella from Circana, the sequel’s launch month dollar sales were more than 5 times higher than the original’s debut
• It’s currently the second best-selling premium game in the US, behind only Monster Hunter Wilds

The article suggests that KCD2’s success stems from its rich, systems-driven gameplay and immersive world design. It specifically highlights the game’s:

• Outstanding quest design (compared to The Witcher 3 and Baldur’s Gate 3)
• Unpredictable NPC behaviors
• The deliberate choice to avoid “instant gratification” in favour of a slower, more demanding experience

It’s interesting that the article draws a parallel between KCD2 and Monster Hunter Wilds, noting that both games prove players have an appetite for deep, systems-driven experiences that don’t necessarily “spoon-feed” their ideas to them. Warhorse Studios apparently cited older RPGs like Morrowind and Oblivion as direct influences on their approach.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – Comprehensive Review

Introduction

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 builds impressively on the foundations laid by its predecessor, delivering a meticulously crafted medieval RPG experience that prioritizes historical authenticity, complex systems, and immersive storytelling. Released in February 2025 by Warhorse Studios, this sequel has already achieved remarkable commercial success, selling five times more copies in its first month than the original game did at launch.

Setting and Story

KCD2 continues the story of Henry of Skalitz, now more experienced but still on his quest for justice in 15th century Bohemia. The narrative picks up where the first game left off, expanding both geographically and narratively as Henry becomes more deeply embroiled in the political machinations of the era.

The writing demonstrates significant improvement over the original, with more nuanced character development and branching storylines that genuinely reflect player choices. Side quests are particularly impressive, often starting as seemingly mundane errands before evolving into multi-layered adventures that reveal unexpected depths about the world and its inhabitants.

Gameplay

Combat System

The combat remains deliberately challenging and technical, requiring genuine skill mastery rather than relying on character statistics alone. The directional sword fighting system has been refined with improved animations and feedback, making fights feel more responsive while maintaining the deliberate, weighty feel that characterized the original.

New combat options including expanded grappling techniques and more varied weapon types add tactical depth. The progression from novice to skilled combatant feels earned through practice rather than arbitrary level gains.

Role-Playing Elements

The reputation and social systems have been significantly expanded. Your standing in different communities genuinely affects how NPCs interact with you, what quests become available, and even dialogue options. The class-conscious medieval society is represented through complex social dynamics that add meaningful consequences to your actions and appearance.

Character progression through skills and perks feels more balanced, with meaningful choices that allow for different playstyles without ever making Henry feel overpowered.

World and Immersion

The game world has been substantially expanded, featuring multiple towns, villages, and wilderness areas that feel genuinely lived-in. The day/night cycle and NPC schedules create a believable medieval society where people follow realistic routines.

Survival elements, including hunger, fatigue, and injuries, have been refined to add immersion without becoming tediously punitive. The need to maintain equipment through repairs adds another layer of authenticity to the experience.

Technical Aspects

Graphics and Sound

Visually, KCD2 marks a significant improvement over its predecessor. The detailed environments showcase the natural beauty of medieval Bohemia with impressive fidelity, while character models and animations have seen substantial upgrades. Lighting effects particularly stand out, creating atmospheric scenes whether in torch-lit taverns or misty forests at dawn.

The soundtrack expertly blends period-appropriate music with more dramatic orchestral pieces during key moments. Voice acting has improved considerably, with more consistent quality across both the main characters and the supporting cast.

Performance

While the first game was notorious for technical issues at launch, KCD2 demonstrates much better optimization. Load times have been significantly reduced, and the frame rate remains more stable even in densely populated areas. There are still occasional bugs, particularly in complex quest chains, but nothing that seriously impedes the experience.

Innovation and Design Philosophy

 What sets Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 apart from many modern RPGs is its commitment to systems-driven gameplay that doesn’t hold the player’s hand. As mentioned in the article, Warhorse Studios deliberately avoided the “instant gratification” model standard in contemporary games, instead drawing inspiration from classics like Morrowind and Oblivion.

This approach creates a more demanding but ultimately more rewarding experience where player agency and discovery are prioritized over convenience. The learning curve remains steep, but the satisfaction of mastering the game’s systems provides a depth of engagement rarely found in more accessible titles.

Conclusion

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 boldly continues Warhorse Studios’ vision for an authentic, historically grounded RPG that doesn’t compromise on complexity for the sake of accessibility. Its commercial success suggests there is indeed a substantial audience hungry for rich, systems-driven games that respect player intelligence and reward investment of time and effort.

While it may not appeal to everyone due to its deliberately measured pace and challenging systems, those willing to immerse themselves in its meticulously crafted medieval world will find one of the most distinctive and rewarding RPG experiences of recent years. The improvements over the original game are substantial across every aspect, from storytelling to technical performance, making this sequel a remarkable achievement that stands as one of the genre’s most distinguished offerings.