Hardcore Mode Elevates the Challenge in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s new Hardcore Mode transforms an already grueling medieval journey into a relentless test of survival. Gone are the conveniences of a visible player marker on the map, a guiding compass, or the luxury of fast travel, leaving players to fend for themselves in the unforgiving landscapes of 15th-century Bohemia.

At the outset, players must burden their character with debilitating traits that shape the entire adventure. A Bad Back, for instance, curbs carrying capacity, weighing down every step. The Somnambulist might awaken in bewildering, unfamiliar places, disoriented and vulnerable. Shyness, meanwhile, strips away the ability to seek directions from NPCs or indulge in the restorative services of bathhouses, isolating the player in a world that demands cunning and resilience.

“We retained only a handful of perks from the first game and crafted new ones to ensure a fresh experience,” explains game designer Karel Kolmann. His vision was not merely to ramp up difficulty but to deepen immersion, plunging players into a world where every choice feels visceral and every misstep costly.