Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Emerges as a Surprise Game of the Year Contender

The 2025 Game Awards season is heating up. All the major releases are now on the table. While Sandfall’s Expedition 33 dominates headlines, a dark horse is gaining momentum. That contender is Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

Many are calling Expedition 33 the game to beat. Yet industry analysts suggest the timing of KCD 2’s release may have hurt its visibility. Had it launched earlier, the race might look very different.

Why This Medieval Sequel is a Masterclass in World-Building

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 creates an unparalleled living world. Its systems for crime and punishment are remarkably deep. According to critics, the game’s reactivity sets a new industry standard.

Every non-player character operates on a full daily schedule. They react to your appearance, your scent, and even your discarded items. If you drop something valuable, a nearby NPC will likely steal it.

The vendor system is equally sophisticated. Stolen goods are permanently marked. You cannot simply sell a stolen sword back to the merchant you took it from. They will recognize their own property and alert the guards immediately.

Justice is delivered in escalating stages. A first offense might land you in the stocks. Repeat crimes lead to public caning or even branding. Persistent lawbreaking ultimately results in execution.

The Human Element: Writing and Character Depth

Beyond its mechanical brilliance, KCD 2 features exceptional storytelling. The narrative handles mature themes with historical sensitivity and nuance. Its dialogue is both authentic and deeply character-driven.

One standout moment is the Semine wedding sequence. This event serves as a culmination of your relationships and choices. Players encounter characters they helped, seeing the direct consequences of their actions.

The writing remains sharp throughout the 100-hour experience. Failed speech checks often result in humorously awkward exchanges. Successful checks reveal Henry’s growing confidence and diplomatic skill.

This combination of systemic depth and narrative richness creates unparalleled immersion. Players report forgetting they’re in a game world during extended play sessions.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 represents a landmark achievement in RPG design. Its unexpected emergence as a Game of the Year contender proves that ambitious, complex games still capture hearts and minds.

Thought you’d like to know-

What makes Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 different from other RPGs?

Its world is incredibly reactive. NPCs have full daily routines and respond to your hygiene, dropped items, and stolen goods. The crime and punishment system is uniquely detailed and consequential.

How long is the main story?

The main narrative takes approximately 50 hours to complete. With side content, players can easily spend over 100 hours exploring medieval Bohemia and its many stories.

Is the combat system difficult to learn?

The combat has a steep learning curve but is deeply rewarding. It requires timing, positioning, and weapon mastery rather than button mashing. Practice dramatically improves performance.

Does your character’s appearance affect gameplay?

Yes, significantly. NPCs react to dirty armor, bloody clothing, and your overall cleanliness. Maintaining good hygiene opens up social options that are unavailable when you’re filthy.

What platforms is the game available on?

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The game leverages current-generation hardware for its detailed open world and complex AI systems.