We all know and love a good fantasy RPG with massive worlds, magically overpowered sorcerers and ridiculously outlandish quests. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, by Warhorse Studios, seeks to move away from the usual bold, vast and flashy story-driven RPGs and back into reality, in a way that still manages to weave its magic in its complexity and world.

I’m around 10 hours deep into my adventures through 1403 Bohemia, and while I’ve barely scratched the surface of all Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has to offer, I already feel incredibly immersed in Henry, the unlikely blacksmith’s-son-turned-hero’s journey.

Crossing the gorgeous rolling fields of the Trotsky region, gallivanting in towns and causing trouble in various establishments has served me up a chaotically entertaining preview of what’s to come.

I have some work to do on my form on the field and the art of deception and/or negotiation. That’s part of what makes Kingdom Come: Deliverance II great, though. It’s all about finesse, risk, reward, and, ultimately, learning the art of swordplay, stealth and a sharp tongue.

None of which I have been particularly successful with yet, often being swiftly cut down by words or weapons. Despite this, the tedious repetition felt somewhat satisfying, and the urge to overcome all obstacles and ultimately get better forged my way forward.

Warhorse’s dedication to realism representing medieval Europe is unrivalled; towns feel lived in, and its folks feel equally as lively, with plenty to say and many ways to react to my mischief-making.

So far, quests have trained me with some basic skills I’ll be taking with me throughout Henry’s pilgrimage and while by no means a master of lockpicking or the sword-strike, I’ve gotten much better just through pure willpower to try again and dare I say it, I’m starting to envision my boy, Henry becoming knight-material, once I stop committing crimes that are.

My time with Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has already felt like a hefty package, with plenty more to come as I venture forth.

It retains the overall feel of what players of the first game know and love but sharpens up combat and world-building in a way that significantly upgrades a shiny, strong new form.

Written by: Yasmin Noble