Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s Hardcore Mode Is Here And Tough

If Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 wasn’t challenging enough for you, the newly launched Hardcore Mode is here to raise the stakes. This mode dramatically increases the game’s difficulty, akin to trying to navigate through the Bubonic Plague with a compromised immune system. Fans have anticipated this update for quite some time, and now it’s finally available for players to experience.

The Hardcore Mode is designed to enhance immersion by removing several conveniences. Gone are the days of fast travel, automatic location tracking on the map, and clear directions to your next quest. In this mode, understanding where to go and what needs to be done relies heavily on your attentiveness to the information provided throughout the game. The patch notes clearly state, “Hardcore Mode is live — brace yourself for a tough challenge.”

Players will now have the option to inquire with NPCs about their current location and directions. However, your ability to receive help will depend on your reputation and the attitude of the characters you encounter; a mere passerby might not be willing to offer assistance.

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As you embark on Hardcore Mode, you’ll need to select a minimum of three permanent negative traits that will affect your journey. Once you make your choices, there’s no turning back. For instance, picking Heavy-Footed increases the noise you make while moving and causes your footwear to wear out more quickly. Alternatively, if you choose Numbskull, your experience gain will slow down considerably.

Fans of the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance might recall its Hardcore mode. The new iteration aims to build on that experience. As Karel Kolmann, a senior game designer at Warhorse Studios, stated, “We were very pleased with how Hardcore Mode functioned in the first game, but we wanted to introduce new elements to make it different.”

If you think you’ve mastered the world of Bohemia, Hardcore Mode promises to invigorate your experience and add a fresh layer of challenge. It’s an excellent way to delve deep into the medieval lifestyle without having to deal with the actual risks of illness or, let’s say, less-than-pleasant odors.