Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a single-player open-world role-playing game. It is set in early 15th-century Bohemia during a time of civil unrest following the death of King Charles IV. The player controls Henry, the son of a blacksmith whose village is destroyed by invading forces. Surviving the attack, Henry is drawn into the conflict between rival nobles and must navigate war, politics, and personal loss while seeking justice and forging his own path in a fractured kingdom.

The game emphasizes realism and historical accuracy rather than fantasy. Henry begins with limited skills and no combat training, requiring the player to build proficiency gradually. Activities such as fighting, reading, alchemy, and crafting improve through practice, and Henry’s physical attributes such as strength, vitality, and charisma also progress through use. Choices made in quests and interactions affect Henry’s reputation and relationships, shaping the opportunities available to him. Mini-games such as dice, archery contests, and lockpicking provide diversions and resources.

Combat is a central system and designed with a focus on authenticity. Battles use a directional melee system where the player selects angles of attack and defense, with timing, stamina management, and weapon choice influencing the outcome. Equipment ranges from swords and axes to polearms and bows, with armor types providing varying protection and mobility. Damage is calculated through layered armor mechanics, requiring players to balance weight, durability, and cost.

Survival mechanics also play a role. Henry must manage hunger, fatigue, and injuries, and failing to do so impacts performance. Healing requires food, potions, or medical treatment, and wounds can leave lasting effects if ignored. Stealth provides alternatives to direct combat, with options such as disguises, lockpicking, and poisoning offering non-lethal approaches to quests or encounters. Alchemy allows players to gather herbs and brew potions through an interactive process requiring timing and precision.

Dialogue and decision-making shape much of the gameplay. Conversations often present multiple approaches, including persuasion, intimidation, or bribery, influenced by Henry’s skills and reputation. Moral choices are not framed around good or evil but rather practical consequences, and different paths may close off or open quests depending on how the player resolves conflicts. Reputation and crime systems govern how townsfolk and authorities react to Henry, with thefts or violent acts leading to punishments or pursuit by guards.

The Royal Edition bundles the base game with multiple expansions. These include additional storylines such as the rebuilding of a village in From the Ashes, a murder investigation in The Amorous Adventures of Bold Sir Hans Capon, large-scale combat scenarios in Band of Bastards, and new quests centered around A Woman's Lot, which features playable sections from a different perspective.