10 Things Kingdom Come: Deliverance Outshines Its Sequel!

The eagerly awaited follow-up to Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has exceeded all expectations, cementing its place among the finest open-world games ever created. Remarkably, it enhanced nearly every element of the original, yet there are certain aspects where the first Kingdom Come: Deliverance excelled.

In a straightforward and engaging manner: The authentic medieval Bohemian experience presented in the original game set a strong stage for its successor’s global triumph. Notably, what King’s Crown (KCD) excelled at compared to KCD2 weren’t flaws of the sequel, but rather, they were unique strengths of the first game or features that were missing in the second.

8. The Iconic Loading Screen

Charles IV, King Of Bohemia & Holy Roman Emperor, Had A Long & Successful Reign…

Loading up the original “Kingdom Come: Deliverance” is still an unmatched experience. The opening dialogue, “Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Empire, had a long and successful reign…”, never loses its charm, and the medieval manuscript images serve as the perfect finishing touch.

The brief moment in this game stirred up a wave of nostalgia that was nothing short of fantastic. It would have been delightful to encounter something similar in KCD2, but considering the narrative arc concludes with ‘This is where my story starts…’, it wouldn’t have been appropriate to introduce it midway through Henry’s tale.

7. Church Interiors

Beautiful & Sorely Missing From The Sequel

As a dedicated fan, it’s quite evident that one aspect where the original KCD outshines its sequel is the stunning depiction of church interiors. Unlike KCD2, the first game offers a rich array of beautiful and intricately designed churches that players can explore freely. These religious spaces in KCD1 are so captivatingly detailed, they invite players to wander in awe or even participate in a role-playing experience by attending church services.

Regrettably, Warhorse Studios were unable to create detailed church interiors for KCD2; however, there are a few chapels like the one on Trosky Castle, and the Mysteria Ecclesia DLC provides an opportunity to delve into 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

In the game KCD, the quest known as “A Needle in a Haystack” is a point of contention, with some players finding it aggravating due to its monastic lifestyle requirements, while others view it as the pinnacle of the gaming experience. (Without revealing any spoilers) During several days at the Sasau Monastery, Henry is obliged to adhere to a strict daily routine, but since he’s there on a mission, he must secretly explore at night to uncover the truth.

In the next installment, instead of simply replicating the same daily routine from before, it could’ve been entertaining to delve into another facet of medieval lifestyle under strict regimentation. This concept would have been optimally implemented as a side mission, allowing players who aren’t fond of such quests to bypass it if they choose.

5. Hunting Quests & Hunting Permit

Henry Cannot Legally Hunt In The Sequel

In the game KCD2, the hunting experience is more authentic, featuring lifelike animals, crossbows, and even wolves for increased peril. Regrettably, Henry doesn’t embark on any genuine hunting quests; instead, he pursues poachers as a close approximation. This aspect introduces another challenge since the game portrays hunting as illegal. For players adhering to a moral compass, this means they won’t be inclined to hunt, and if they do, they can only dispose of their ill-gotten gains by selling them to fences.

Initially in the first “KCD”, there’s an abundance of hunting missions available, even a series of quests that enable Henry to ascend to the role of Master Huntsman, thereby securing a license for hunting.

4. Henry’s Come To See Us & Places To Call Home

Henry Was Never Too Far Away From Home In KCD

Since the initial game unfolded within Henry’s native region, and his Skalitz compatriots residing in Rattay or other areas, the game had a comforting, familiar atmosphere. A highlight was the recurring exclamation, “Henry’s here to see us,” one of many memorable phrases from the series, but its usage was less frequent in the sequel as Henry was an outsider in Trosky and Kuttenberg.

At the start of “Kingdom Come: Deliverance“, Henry secures a bed at Rattay mill with Theresa. Although he can sleep elsewhere, this bed holds a special significance, becoming akin to home, particularly if Henry develops a romantic relationship with Theresa. Yet, Skalitz, his original home, remains close to heart despite its destruction. Even though the second game surpasses it in overall quality, no location can replicate the cozy charm of the first. This sentiment is partly due to “KCD2” featuring two maps, but even so, Henry’s connections are not confined to one place, whether for better or worse.

3. Mercy Kills

Players Could Finish Off Downed Enemies With Unique Animations

In the skirmishes of the game Kingdom Come: Deliverance, enemies sometimes appeared to be severely injured or near death, providing players an opportunity to execute a mercy kill. This action triggered a special animation depicting the final blow, with slight differences based on the weapon used.

In my gaming experience, nothing quite compared to the mercy kill with the longsword, where I held it firmly with both hands and ended the battle honorably. Regrettably, this immersive aspect seems to be absent in KCD2, despite a wider variety of animations for dispatching enemies during combat.

2. Theresa Romance & Post-Romance Content

Romance Is More Meaningful In The First Game & Some Players Miss Theresa

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that in KCD2, there are plenty of romantic options, but once characters confess their feelings and consummate the relationship, things tend to fizzle out, leaving me feeling like I don’t really know these characters. In contrast, when I romanced Theresa in the first game, our relationship felt more substantial, and it added a deeper sense of meaning to my gaming experience.

The loving duo has the opportunity to stroll together, converse, and through the expansion pack titled “A Woman’s Lot“, Theresa shares with Henry her ordeal of surviving the attack on Skalitz. Some players even lamented her absence in the subsequent installment, as she is such a remarkable and pivotal figure.

1. Learning To Read

Henry Could Already Read In The Second Game

In the “Kingdom Come: Deliverance” game, Henry has an opportunity to learn reading through the “Mightier than the Sword” quest. At the beginning, the letters appear scrambled, and players need to figure out their order and recite the correct phrases. This distinctive feature is rare in open-world RPGs, making it enjoyable and immersive for gamers.

In my opinion, it’s a real pity that the reading-as-you-go mechanic from Kingdom Come: Deliverance 1 isn’t carried over to the sequel. This means that those of us who are just playing the second game are missing out on this engaging feature.

2025-05-20 15:51