KCD2 – My 2025 Game of the Year
An end-of-game review of a medieval world I didn’t want to leave
Every year, I play a wide range of games: new releases, older titles I missed, remasters, and the occasional comfort replay. But in 2025, one game rose above everything else I touched. One game pulled me back in, even after I finished it. One game reminded me why I love this medium so much.
That game was Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.
This wasn’t just another RPG. It was a return to a world that meant something to me personally, and a reminder of how powerful immersive storytelling can be when a studio commits to authenticity.
Returning to Henry’s World
I still remember playing the first Kingdom Come: Deliverance. It came at a transitional moment in my life. I had just left the Army and was stepping into a new role as an IT support technician at a university. Everything felt unfamiliar: new routines, new expectations, a new identity I was still figuring out.
Then came Henry: a young, lost man thrown into a medieval world he barely understood. He had to learn everything from scratch. How to fight, how to read, how to survive, and ultimately, who he was meant to become. His journey mirrored my own in ways I didn’t expect. He wasn’t a chosen one. He wasn’t destined for greatness. He was trying to find his place.
KCD2 continues that story, and stepping back into Henry’s life felt like reconnecting with an old friend. Older, wiser, but still growing.
A Year Full of Games, But Only One Stayed With Me
I played a lot of games this year. Stellar Blade, Dying Light: The Beast, Expedition 33, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, Ghost of Yotei, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and many more. All of them had something special. All of them competed for my attention.
But KCD2 did something rare: I came back to it after finishing it.
In a year packed with incredible releases, this was the game that stayed in my mind long after the credits rolled. It wasn’t just fun, it was memorable.
A Medieval World That Feels Alive
One of the strongest aspects of KCD2 is its world. It isn’t just medieval‑themed; it’s built on real history, real locations, and authentic cultural detail. The landscapes feel handcrafted. The towns feel lived‑in. The forests feel ancient and dangerous.
This is not a fantasy world.
This is medieval life: raw, beautiful, and unforgiving.
A World That Reacts to You
What truly sets KCD2 apart is how the world responds to your actions. Your reputation matters. Your appearance matters, your behavior matters.
If you walk into town covered in blood, people notice and react with fear or suspicion. If you’re clean, well-dressed, and carrying yourself like a noble, they treat you with respect. Trespassing in someone’s home gets you yelled at. Sleeping in their bed gets you dragged out. Breaking the law leads to real consequences: stocks, branding, and even execution.
It’s not just a game world.
It’s a functioning society, and you’re part of it.
Characters With Personality, And Henry, Who Grows With You
The NPCs in KCD2 are some of the most believable I’ve encountered in years. They feel human, flawed, funny, stubborn, emotional, and unpredictable. Conversations feel natural, and relationships evolve based on your choices.
Henry remains one of the most grounded protagonists in modern RPGs. He grows with you. Learns with you. Fails with you. His journey feels personal because he isn’t a hero by destiny; he’s a man shaped by circumstance.
A World Full of Discovery
KCD2 is packed with activities, side stories, and unexpected encounters. You never know what you’ll stumble into: a lost traveler, a suspicious merchant, a hidden camp, a moral dilemma, or a fight you didn’t plan for. It’s the kind of game where “I’ll just do one more thing” turns into hours of exploration.
Quests That Feel Handcrafted
The quests are some of the best-written I’ve played this year. They’re unique, layered, and full of memorable scenarios. Nothing feels copied and pasted or AI-generated. Every quest feels intentional, whether it’s emotional, humorous, morally challenging, or chaotic in the best way.
Combat That Rewards Skill
Combat in KCD2 is easy to learn but hard to master. It’s grounded, tactical, and skill-based. You can’t button-mash your way through fights; timing, positioning, resource management, and patience matter.
The variety of weapons is excellent: swords, maces, spears, bows, crossbows, early firearms, and even your fists. Every weapon feels distinct, and every fight feels personal.
DLC That Actually Adds Value
The DLCs aren’t filler. They expand the world and give you new ways to play. Want to become a master blacksmith? You can. Want to investigate a strange illness in a monastery? Go for it. Each DLC adds depth, not just content.
Mod Support That Keeps the Game Alive
Steam Workshop support is the final piece that elevates KCD2 even further. Mods extend the game’s life, add new systems, improve visuals, tweak mechanics, and keep the community thriving. A game with mod support is a game that never truly ends.
Conclusion: My 2025 Game of the Year
KCD2 isn’t just my favorite game of the year; it’s one of the most immersive, grounded, and memorable RPGs I’ve played in a long time. It respects your time, challenges your skills, rewards your curiosity, and pulls you into a world that feels alive in a way few games manage.
In a year full of incredible releases, KCD2 didn’t just stand out.
It reminded me why I love games in the first place.
And that’s why it’s my 2025 Game of the Year.