Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2delivers an immersive medieval world for players to explore, and the emergent gameplay of the title allows players to mold the protagonist Henry into whatever kind of character they want. While the core ofKingdom Come: Deliverance 2is an RPG that is committed to the authenticity of its setting, this commitment allows the game to adopt elements of other genres. It may seem unorthodox for a game whose central narrative revolves around the politics of medieval Bohemia and the bloody war between Sigismund and Wenceslas supporters, but there is a cozy side ofKCD2that players should embrace.
Despite the harrowing opening hours ofKingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which finds Henry and Hans fleeing from mercenaries who had just slain their companions, the early game is perfect for roleplaying life in the medieval countryside of Bohemia. After the world opens up and players must work their way back up from essentially nothing to beaccepted into the Semine Wedding, players are given the perfect time to approach the game at their own pace, before the narrative really kicks into high gear. This window of respite doesn’t last the whole game, so players would be wise to take in the cozy aspects of the game while they can.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Has Understated Cozy Game Elements
The Leisurely Pace of Medieval Life Makes Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 More Cozy than Other RPGs
A key part of the traditional cozy game genre is the deliberateness of the tasks players can complete in-game. Life and other types of simulation games offer players the chance to escape into a world where they can engage in satisfying, often repetitive tasks with low stakes to enter a sort of zen state while playing. This is why farming and social simgames likeAnimal CrossingandStardew Valleyare so popular; they allow players to turn off their brains while completing menial in-game tasks.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2offers players a wide selection of these types of menial tasks as part of its commitment to the authentic medieval roleplaying experience. While some players might not enjoy the tedium of some of these tasks in an RPG setting, they offer the perfect counterbalance to the game’s gritty narrative. Taking the time the game allows them to participate in some of the more tedious tasks can help players immerse themselves in theworld of medieval Bohemiaand appreciate the cozy side of this simple lifestyle.
While Not a True Cozy Life Sim, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Can Often Feel Like One
The cozy elements ofKingdom Come: Deliverance 2become apparent in the way it requires players to deliberately engage with certain mechanics. Tasks likeblacksmithing and alchemy, where players have to walk through every process of the task rather than simply navigate a menu, add intentionality to every aspect of the player’s actions. Players who embrace the time it takes to complete these actions will find themselves experiencing the game in a completely different way.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2rewards players for spending time participating in these activities by increasing their associated stats and unlocking new skills.
Roleplaying the life of a medieval knight inKingdom Come: Deliverance 2is only one side of the game, and the cozy life sim potential ofKCD2isn’t readily apparent for those going into the game expecting a traditional RPG experience. While some players may not appreciate the slower pace the game demands for certain tasks, those who appreciate cozy games might find thatKingdom Come: Deliverance 2scratches an itch that other RPGs don’t. In order to get thefull experience ofKingdom Come: Deliverance 2, players should dedicate as much time to the game’s more tedious tasks as they do to its main story.
