Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an action role-playing game set in the Kingdom of Bohemia during the early 15th century. Players assume the role of Henry, a blacksmith's son whose village is destroyed by invading mercenaries. Forced into a world of political upheaval and war, Henry joins the service of Lord Radzig Kobyla, a nobleman fighting to restore the rightful king, Wenceslaus IV, to the throne. The story weaves personal vengeance with the broader conflict between Sigismund of Hungary and the Bohemian nobility, offering branching quests and multiple endings based on player choices.

Developed by Warhorse Studios and published by Deep Silver, the game launched on February 13, 2018, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. A Nintendo Switch port followed on March 15, 2024, and native versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S arrived on February 13, 2026. Built on a heavily modified CryEngine 3.8, the game features a 16-square-kilometer open world with dynamic weather, a day-night cycle, and period-accurate architecture. Combat is skill-based, requiring directional attacks, parries, and stamina management, while survival mechanics like eating, sleeping, and maintaining appearance affect NPC interactions.

The game received generally positive reviews on PC (Metacritic 76/100) and mixed reviews on consoles (PS4 68/100, Xbox One 72/100). Critics praised the immersive world, story, and historical authenticity, but noted technical bugs and a restrictive save system. It sold over 10 million units by May 2025, becoming one of the best-selling Czech games. Post-launch DLC included three major expansions and a standalone campaign, A Woman's Lot. The success led to a sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, released in February 2025.[edit]

Kingdom Come: Deliverance emphasizes historical realism and first-person melee combat. The open world spans forests, castles, towns, and monasteries, all recreated with period accuracy. Combat relies on directional attacks, parries, and stamina management; armor degrades and wounds must be treated. Henry must eat, sleep, and maintain his appearance to interact effectively with NPCs. The save system uses a consumable item, Savior Schnapps, or sleeping in beds, a design choice critics found restrictive. Activities include lockpicking, alchemy with a step-by-step minigame, horseback riding, archery, stealth, and speech-based persuasion. There are no magical or mythical elements. The branching quest system allows multiple solutions, from peaceful negotiation to lethal combat.[edit]

The story begins in 1403, after the death of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. His son, King Wenceslaus IV, is captured by his half-brother Sigismund of Hungary, who invades Bohemia. Henry, a blacksmith's son, witnesses the massacre of his village, Skalitz, by Sigismund's mercenaries. Escaping, he joins Lord Radzig Kobyla, a resistance leader. Henry's quest for revenge intertwines with a larger plot to rescue Wenceslaus and restore order. The narrative features political intrigue, large-scale battles, and personal drama, with choices affecting alliances and outcomes. Historical figures like Jan Hus and Sir Divish of Talmberg appear, grounding the story in real events.[edit]