Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Main

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Standard edition
Royal edition

Information

Composer(s)

Jan Valta, Adam Sporka

Engine

CryEngine

Platform(s)

Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Nintendo Switch

Release(s)

13 February 2018
15 March 2024 (Nintendo Switch)

Genre(s)

Action RPG

Mode(s)

Single-player

Rating(s)

PEGI: 18
ESRB: M

External Links

Website

kcd1.kingdomcomerpg.com

Storefront(s)

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a historical action role-playing game developed by Warhorse Studios and published by Deep Silver. The game was released on 13 February 2018 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and on 15 March 2024 for Nintendo Switch. A "Royal Edition", which includes the base game and all additional content, was released on 29 May 2019.

The sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, was released on 4 February 2025.

Overview[]

The game is set in the medieval Kingdom of Bohemia during the early 15th century, amid the chaos of a civil war following the imprisonment of King Wenceslas IV by his half-brother, King Sigismund of Hungary. It tells the story of Henry, the son of a blacksmith, as he seeks justice following the destruction of his village by Sigismund's forces.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is notable for its historically grounded setting, prioritizing realism in its combat system, survival mechanics, and world-building. It features no fantasy elements, instead focusing on medieval life, politics, and warfare based on extensive historical research. Players must eat, sleep, maintain their weapons, and navigate the social hierarchy through reputation, persuasion, and combat skills.

The game was built using CryEngine and features a fully explorable open world without traditional RPG classes, instead offering skill progression based on player actions. Its realistic first-person combat includes directional sword fighting, archery, and mounted warfare, with a strong emphasis on timing, stamina, and positioning.^[1]

Upon release, Kingdom Come: Deliverance was praised for its ambitious scope, detailed setting, and narrative depth, though it also drew criticism for technical issues at launch. It went on to become a commercial success, selling over 10 million copies by May 2025^[2], and spawning multiple expansions and a sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, announced in 2024.

Features[]

Massive realistic open world – The game features a large open world with castles, rural landscapes, and towns inspired by medieval Bohemia.
Non-linear story – Solve quests in multiple ways, then face the consequences of your decisions.
Challenging combat – Engage at distance, through stealth, or in melee combat. Choose different type of weapons and execute multiple unique combos.
Character development – Improve your skills, earn new perks, and forge and upgrade your equipment.
Dynamic world – Your actions influence the reactions of the people around you. Fight, steal, seduce, threaten, persuade, or bribe. It’s all up to you.
Historical accuracy – Meet real historical characters and experience the genuine look and feel of medieval Bohemia.^[3]

Development[]

Kingdom Come: Deliverance began as a pitch by Daniel Vávra after his departure from 2K Czech in 2009. After initial rejections from local investors, the project secured funding from Czech billionaire Zdeněk Bakala, enabling the formation of Warhorse Studios on 21 July 2011.^[4]

The team licensed CryEngine 3 in early 2012 and spent 17 months developing a prototype.^[5] Facing difficulty attracting further investment, Warhorse launched a Kickstarter campaign on 22 January 2014, raising over £1.1 million, well beyond its £300,000 goal.^[6] Continued crowdfunding brought total contributions to over $2 million. Alpha and beta versions launched in October 2014 and March 2015, respectively.

In September 2016, Warhorse signed a publishing deal with Deep Silver for console and retail distribution. The final game released on 13 February 2018, with a substantial day-one patch.^[7] The project reportedly cost around $36.5 million, including marketing.^[8]

The game received multiple post-launch expansions. A Royal Edition bundled all content in June 2019. Modding tools were released later that year, marking the game's final major update.^[9] A Nintendo Switch port, co-developed with Saber Interactive, was announced in 2021 and released on 15 March 2024.

Plot[]

Set in the silver-rich Bohemian village of Skalitz in 1403, the story follows Henry, the son of a blacksmith named Martin. Henry assists his father in forging a sword for Sir Radzig Kobyla, hetman to King Wenceslaus IV. Their work draws the attention of Radzig and the visiting Hungarian noble, Sir Istvan Toth. Shortly afterward, the village is brutally attacked by Cuman mercenaries under the command of Sir Markvart von Aulitz, one of King Sigismund's lieutenants. During the assault, Henry witnesses the death of his parents.

Escaping the massacre with Radzig's sword in hand, Henry flees to the nearby castle of Talmberg, where he warns Lord Divish of the approaching threat. That night, Sir Radzig leads the remaining Skalitz survivors to safety under the cover of a storm, relocating them to the nearby town of Rattay.

The next day, Sigismund's army appears at Talmberg's gates. Lord Divish negotiates a temporary truce, and the invaders withdraw. However, distraught over his unburied parents, Henry disobeys orders and returns to Skalitz. There, he is ambushed by a group of bandits led by a thug named Runt, who defeats Henry in combat and takes the prized sword. Barely surviving the encounter, Henry is rescued by another Skalitz survivor, Theresa, and members of the Talmberg garrison, who escort him to safety in Rattay.

Determined to avenge his family and retrieve the stolen sword, Henry enters the service of Sir Hanush of Leipa, the acting lord of Rattay and guardian of the young noble Lord Hans Capon. After saving Capon from Cumans during a hunting expedition, Henry earns Radzig's trust and is appointed his envoy.

While investigating a raid on Neuhof Stud Farm, Henry uncovers a trail leading to a hidden encampment of bandits and Cumans in Pribyslavitz, with Runt among them. A joint military operation is launched by Radzig and Divish to eliminate the threat. Henry duels and kills Runt but fails to recover the stolen sword.

Evidence from the camp suggests a broader conspiracy is at play, possibly involving counterfeit coin production. Henry follows the trail to Sasau, uncovering a clandestine operation recruiting mercenaries. Posing as one of them, he infiltrates their base at Vranik, where he is captured and tortured by Toth, who reveals that he now possesses the sword. Toth discloses a deeper plan to use his army to seize the region and secure favor with Sigismund. He also reveals that Henry is Radzig's illegitimate son.

With the help of Zbyshek, a former Skalitz villager, Henry escapes and returns to warn the Bohemian Lords. Radzig acknowledges Henry as his son, and the nobles prepare for a final assault. Although Vraník is destroyed, Tóth slips away and mounts a surprise attack on Talmberg, capturing Radzig and Lady Stephanie, Divish's wife.

In response, the Bohemian Lords lay siege to Talmberg. They enlist the aid of inventor Konrad Kyeser, who constructs a trebuchet to breach the castle walls. The siege succeeds, and the hostages are freed following a negotiated exchange. Despite this victory, Henry is left frustrated that Toth once again escaped justice with the sword.

Radzig opens up about his past, explaining that he loved Henry's mother but was unable to marry her due to social constraints, thus allowing Martin to raise Henry as his own. Soon after, the Lords are approached by Jobst of Moravia, cousin to King Wenceslaus, who seeks to unify the Bohemian nobility against Sigismund. With civil war looming, Henry and Lord Capon are dispatched on a diplomatic mission to Trosky Castle, home of Otto von Bergow, to determine whether his loyalty to Sigismund might be wavering. With a small retinue, the two depart region.

Downloadable Content[]

A post-launch DLC roadmap was revealed on 27 May 2018.^[10] The following downloadable content was released to enhance the player's experience:

Title	Description	Release
Treasures of the Past	A legend is circulating in the province about stashes containing magnificent Warhorse armour. Many people have searched for it, but in vain. With a little effort and the grace of God, perhaps you can succeed in finding the armour and donning it to assist you in fighting the good fight!	13 Feb 2018
From the Ashes	From the Ashes DLC introduces an entirely new type of adventure! You have an opportunity to participate in building a new village from the ground up and experience first-hand what it was like to create a new settlement.	6 Jul 2018
The Amorous Adventures of Bold Sir Hans Capon	The Amorous Adventures DLC revolves around his attempts to woo the fairest maid Hans Capon has ever set eyes upon, and his success will not depend only on his own mastery of the art of love – it's also up to his trusty wingman, you - Henry.	16 Oct 2018
Band of Bastards	The roads around Rattay are far from safe, so Sir Radzig Kobyla has enlisted the help of an old acquaintance, Baron Kuno of Rychwald, and his infamous mercenary band. Radzig sends Henry to guide the band around the territory... and to keep their unbridled appetite for trouble in check.	6 Feb 2019
A Woman's Lot	In A Woman's Lot DLC you can experience two standalone series of quests. In the first part, you play as Theresa accompanied by her loyal dog Tinker in a standalone questline. In The Madonna of Sasau, Henry has to help Johanka, an old friend from Skalitz who survived the massacre and took refuge in Sasau Monastery.	29 May 2019