Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2was released to critical acclaim, and it was well-received by players thanks to its characters, storytelling, and gameplay. One of the biggest draws ofKingdom Come: Deliverance 2is its setting of medieval Bohemia, which comprises the modern country of the Czech Republic. Bohemia was a regional power during the time period in which the game is set, and it was renowned for its culture and beauty.
TheKingdom Come: Deliverancegames, including the first entry, have all been set in Bohemia. While this has served as a strong setting, and it has worked well for historical games rooted in real events and people, Bohemia is a relatively small area. Medieval Europe was an interesting and diverse place, and futureKingdom Come: Deliverance 2DLC could provide a unique experience, while remaining loyal to the core themes of the game, by venturing beyond Bohemia’s borders.
Exploring the Regions Beyond KCD2’s Bohemia
Games centered on one region often shift to other locations for their DLCs and expansions.The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine, which takes place in the neighboring duchy of Toussaint, uses this approach, as do two of the expansion packs fromThe Elder Scrollsseries,Shivering IslesandDragonborn, which take place in different regions of the Shivering Isles and the island of Solstheim. In all these games, the player character has a story reason to travel to these foreign places, and in these locations they are immersed in different cultures and gain access to new equipment and higher-level abilities.
The State of Europe in 1403
1403 was an exciting time in Europe, as the Early Renaissance period was already in full swing in Italy and had begun to spread to neighboring regions like France and Austria. As the Renaissance hit different parts of Europe at different times, the art, technology, and cultures of some nations would look very different to their neighbors. Northern Italy, Austria, and France are not located too far from Bohemia, and Eastern European nations like Hungary would have been even more accessible.
Finding a Reason to Explore Europe in KCD2 DLC
New gear is an especially good reason to set futureKCD 2DLCbeyond the borders of Bohemia. Different nations had different styles of weaponry and armor, which could inspire the DLC’s equipment, and they also had different fighting styles, which could easily be reflected in new Perks. During this time period, Italy was divided into kingdoms and Papal states, with prominent Northern Italian Kingdoms being the Duchy of Milan and the Republic of Venice, each with its own army and culture. A French setting could be similar in aesthetic and culture toThe Witcher 3: Blood and Wine’s Toussaint.
While big cities are perhaps not feasible settings for a DLC, there were many rural villages and outposts in these regions during this time period. Implementing a compelling reason to visit those villages, and filling them with new characters who have cultures that are distinct from Bohemia’s, doesn’t have to be impossible, and Warhorse can likely build a new region that still lines up withKCD 2’s setting.
A new DLC region could be more difficult with higher-level enemies, encouraging players to complete at least some ofKCD 2’s main gamebefore venturing into the new region.Blood and Winedoes this, with its new abilities, armor, and fighting styles only becoming available upon unlocking and exploring the new region.
Adding newKCD 2DLC contentbeyond cosmetics or equipment gives players a reason to return to the game. Tying new items and character build options to new regions and questlines makes earning them feel more rewarding. Ultimately, adding a new region means making the world bigger and giving players a fresh experience within the same game.
