Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Brushes with Death DLC review – A standout story

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For Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s first expansion DLC, think more of the original game – and that’s a positive aspect! KCD2 was a strong contender for Game of the Year at launch, with an immersive storyline and vast open world reminiscent of the most invigorating big RPG since The Witcher 3. The first DLC included in the Expansion Pass, titled “Brushes with Death,” may not present anything drastically new compared to the main game, but it stands out as one of the most intriguing and memorable questlines within the package.

In this narrative, we encounter a man named Voyta, who can be found outside Trosky following his heroic act of rescuing Hans from the gallows. Yet, his tale extends beyond Trosky and into the Kuttenberg region as well. Similar to other characters in the game, Voyta finds himself entangled in difficulties. By assisting him, you will initiate a substantial questline. Voyta is an intriguing character with a complex past – upon your initial encounter, he’ll be conversing with a nearby human skull that bears elaborate artistic embellishments.

Directly addressing the essence of his predicament, it appears Voyta experiences symptoms of schizophrenia. He confides that he perceives voices communicating with him, and initially Henry thinks this is figurative; however, they eventually suspect that Voyta might be receiving messages from either divine or evil entities. This misunderstanding between Voyta and those around him frequently leads to difficulties for him.

Similar to how the game portrays Musa of Mali, a character of color who initially confuses Henry the Bohemian – Voyta’s storyline in the narrative is surprisingly compassionate and insightful about his condition, while still acknowledging the prejudices of the time without sugarcoating them. It ends on an uplifting note that doesn’t diminish the gravity of its themes.

Finishing the Brushes with Death quest offers you exclusive armor and weapon accessories for your inventory, although they may not surpass what you’re currently using. Additionally, Voyta offers customizable painting services on a shield of your choice. His selection is much broader than the four designs provided in the Shields of Seasons Passing DLC upon release.

Besides hearing Voyta’s story, you also have the opportunity to visit the Nomad Camp located in the Trosky region and participate in fresh horseback adventures. This includes a series of races and archery competitions waiting for your participation. Interestingly, Bibarek and Mikolai are having a disagreement over who deserves a monument more, and by mastering Bibarek’s mounted archery courses and participating in Mikolai’s races, you can earn distinctive horse gear as rewards. It might not be as profound as Voyta’s heart-wrenching narrative, but the allure of these new activities at the Nomad Camp certainly makes it worth your while.

It’s expected that you can finish the new quests within roughly six hours, however, Voyta’s tale will linger in your memory for a significant amount of time. Generally speaking, Brushes with Death offers a quick playthrough, but it provides an enjoyable reason to revisit the game. If you’ve already purchased the Expansion Pass, this is definitely worth revisiting, but if you haven’t yet, you might want to wait for the next two DLC packs coming out later this year.

Despite Brushes with Death not being the standout feature in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, it serves as a strong testament to why this game remains relevant for discussions on the top titles of 2025.

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2025-05-15 18:16