Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the sequel that fans were hoping for, and the game surpassed all expectations to become one of the greatest open-world games of all time. Impressively, it improved upon almost every aspect of the original, but nevertheless, there are a few things that the first Kingdom Come: Deliverance did better.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance: 2 - 8 Ways the Sequel Is Better Than The Original
Discover how Kingdom Come: Deliverance Two beats the original with enhanced gameplay, refined combat, open world and immersive features.
The original medieval Bohemian experience is a great game in its own right and truly laid the foundations for the sequel's global success. Often, the things that KCD did better than KCD2 aren't faults of the sequel, but rather standouts of the first or small missing features.
8 The Iconic Loading Screen
Charles IV, King Of Bohemia & Holy Roman Emperor, Had A Long & Successful Reign...
While the sequel has the superior main menu screen with different live environments displayed depending on Henry's location, there's nothing quite like loading up the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Hearing 'Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Empire, had a long and successful reign...' Never gets old, and the medieval manuscript images are just the icing on the cake.
Although this is a small part of the game, the rush of nostalgia simply feels amazing. In some ways, it would have been nice to see in KCD2, but as the monologue finishes with 'It is here that my story begins...', it wouldn't have fit halfway through Henry's story.
7 Church Interiors
Beautiful & Sorely Missing From The Sequel
The elephant in the room when it comes to things KCD did better than KCD2 is church interiors, as the sequel barely has any. In the first game, players can enter any church they see, and they are all beautifully decorated, prompting players to walk around in wonder or attend church as part of a role-playing experience.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 - Best Armor
This guide will provide players with the best options for each layer of armor in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
Unfortunately, Warhorse Studios did not have time to make church interiors in KCD2, although there are a few chapels, such as at the top of Trosky Castle, and the Mysteria Ecclesia DLC will allow players to explore the entirety of Sedletz Monastery.
6 The Monastery Quest
There's Nothing Quite Like Adhering To A Strict Monk's Schedule & Sneaking Around At Night
A Needle in a Haystack is one of the more divisive quests in KCD, with some players frustrated at having to live the life of a monk, while many fans see this as the peak experience. Without going into spoilers, Henry has to follow a strict schedule for a number of days at the Sasau Monastery, but as he's there on a mission, he must sneak around at night to discover the truth.
While a direct repeat of this in the sequel wouldn't have been a good idea, it could have been fun to experience a different aspect of medieval life with a strict schedule. This would have worked best in a side quest, so that it is optional for those who don't like such quests.
5 Hunting Quests & Hunting Permit
Henry Cannot Legally Hunt In The Sequel
Hunting is better in KCD2, with more realistic animals, crossbows, and even wolves for added danger. However, there aren't any quests where Henry goes hunting, and the only one that comes close sees Henry attempting to catch poachers. This raises another problem, as hunting is outlawed, meaning players doing a morally good playthrough won't want to hunt, and if they do, they can only sell the game to fences.
In the first KCD, however, there are plenty of hunting quests, including one quest line where Henry can become the Master Huntsman and gain a permit for hunting.
4 Henry's Come To See Us & Places To Call Home
Henry Was Never Too Far Away From Home In KCD
As the first game took place in Henry's home region, and his fellow Skalitz refugees could be found in Rattay or other locations, the game had a more homely feel to it. Best of all was everyone saying 'Henry's come to see us', one of many iconic lines from the series, which unfortunately could not be said as much in the sequel due to Henry being a stranger in Trosky and Kuttenberg.
Early on in KCD, Henry gains a bed in the Rattay mill with Theresa, and while he can sleep in other places, this bed will always feel like home, especially if Henry romances Theresa. His true home of Skalitz is never far away, despite being burned down, and while the sequel is better overall, no place can ever capture the homeliness of the first game. This is partly due to KCD2 having two maps, but even then, Henry is never tied down to one place for better or worse.
3 Mercy Kills
Players Could Finish Off Downed Enemies With Unique Animations
During fights in Kingdom Come: Deliverance, enemies had a small chance to fall on the ground as if bleeding out or almost dead. Players could then hold the Mercy Kill button, and a unique animation for finishing them off would play, with variations for different weapons.
Best of all was the longsword mercy kill, with Henry grasping the sword in both hands and bringing down the point in an honorable way. Unfortunately, this is one of the KCD features missing in KCD2, although there are more animations for finishing off foes mid-fight.
2 Theresa Romance & Post-Romance Content
Romance Is More Meaningful In The First Game & Some Players Miss Theresa
There are way more romance options in KCD2, but after characters declare their feelings and do the deed, there isn't much content, and they may seem like strangers to Henry. In the first game, however, when Henry romances Theresa, they can become a proper couple, and everything feels more meaningful.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 - How To Romance Characters
This romance guide for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will explain how romance works, and provide tips for Henry's love pursuits.
The pair of lovebirds are able to go on walks together, talk, and via the A Woman's Lot DLC, Theresa can tell Henry about her experience of surviving the raid on Skalitz. Some players also simply missed her in the sequel, as she's such a great and important character.
1 Learning To Read
Henry Could Already Read In The Second Game
Via the Mightier than the Sword quest, Henry can learn to read in the first Kingdom Come: Deliverance game. At first, Henry will see all the letters jumbled up, and players must try to make sense of them and recite the correct lines. This is a unique experience in open-world RPGs and both fun and immersive.
Unfortunately, as Henry can already read at the start of KCD2, the feature could not be repeated, meaning players who only experience the sequel miss out on this mechanic.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 72 /100 Critics Rec: 48%
- Released
- February 13, 2018
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Warhorse Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Deep Silver
- Engine
- cryengine
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
