Have you heard about Kingdom Come: Deliverance II? It’s finally here. The effort to recreate 15th-century Bohemia is nothing short of amazing. Who wouldn’t want to get lost in a beautifully crafted medieval world?
The team over at Warhorse Studios has been working hard to make this game feel as authentic as possible. Xbox had the chance to check out some insights from senior game designer Ondřej Bittner on how they went about building this immersive experience.
They kick things off with geographical data because guess what? The hills and rivers are still pretty much where they were back then. Bittner says they also look at military maps from the mid-19th century that detail village layouts. These maps help them place everything accurately, which is so cool!
Then comes the fun part, talking to people who maintain these historic buildings! Sometimes, they have records; sometimes, they don’t, and that’s when creativity kicks in. It’s like detective work but for history buffs!
Bittner shares an interesting tidbit about a clock tower that once stood in Kuttenberg but burned down ages ago. They had to piece together its design using woodcuts from centuries ago, along with research on similar structures. Can you imagine that? It’s like reconstructing a puzzle without all the pieces!
The art direction draws inspiration from real-life locations, like the Sedlec Ossuary, which adds layers of storytelling and atmosphere to the game world. Walking through places like this gives insight into how people lived—and died—in medieval times.
Speaking of atmosphere, let’s not forget about those natural environments! Near Trosky Castle, there are these fantastic sandstone rock formations known as Apolena Rocks that add drama to the scenery—perfect for setting up tense moments in gameplay.
Bittner explains that while nature hasn’t changed much over 500 years, humans have left their mark through deforestation and other changes. They’ve made sure to reflect that by creating defined forests and more natural landscapes based on historical research.
One of my favorite parts was learning how they dig into archaeological sites to uncover remnants of medieval life. Even trash provides clues! Examining discarded items can reveal patterns in daily existence back then.
Bittner wraps it up nicely by saying it’s all about telling stories through gameplay and art while staying true to history, a mission they’ve taken seriously!
If you’re ready for an epic journey with action set against a backdrop of stunning visuals and rich storytelling, grab your copy today! Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is available now on Xbox Series X|S!
If you’ve played it or plan to jump in soon, drop your thoughts below! What are you most excited about?
