Action RPG

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s masterful quest design can be summed up by one wonderfully weird search for a magic stone

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I want to express my regrets to my friends and relatives who might have grown tired of me constantly talking about Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 over the last few months. As I’ve now invested 74 hours into the game, I’m hopeful that the conclusion isn’t too far off, but I’ve been taking it easy since my arrival in Kuttenberg, as the number of quests has suddenly multiplied. From mediating disputes among miners, arranging for a lord’s release, chasing down a serial killer, and even helping a ghost organize bones, there seems to be an endless stream of people seeking Henry’s assistance. I find myself consistently amazed by how entertaining, captivating, and unforeseeable these tasks are.

In KCD2, the side missions are intricate journeys that span various locations, filled with extended dialogues, numerous dialogue checks, and an abundance of decisions to make. It seems like every quest I’ve finished in this game has had multiple outcomes. This game, much like The Witcher 3 or top-tier Elder Scrolls games, captures the excitement of a character who can always pull out a weapon, but often chooses not to. Problems are typically resolved through clever words, strategic backstabbing, or additional effort.

I’ve thought up numerous side-adventures that warrant their own accolades, but one I recently finished showcases Warhorse’s skill in blending various elements – tension, enigma, action, and a touch of sadness. Here’s the story of The Thunderstone (beware: spoilers for an exceptional quest).

The journey began with a piece of advice from an innkeeper in Grund, a town known for silver mining, situated about half a day’s ride from Kuttenberg. This advice led me to Kona, a local resident, who shared her plight – she urgently required a Thunderstone, a unique talisman said to bring good fortune to its possessor. A man in a nearby village supposedly had one, but he would only part with it if someone could defeat him in a battle. Initially, I thought about using this information for my own gain, but upon learning that Kona needed the stone to ensure the safety of her unborn child, as she had suffered two miscarriages previously and feared for her life, I felt compelled to help her instead. This heart-wrenching story touched me deeply, making it my personal quest to acquire the Thunderstone for Kona.

Thomlin has the stone!

In a more basic RPG game, the quest would lead me directly to Thomlin, the man with the Thunderstone, instructing me to obtain it honestly. However, the quest only specifies “Retrieve a Thunderstone,” and engaging in a fight with Thomlin was merely a clue. I pondered over avoiding the confrontation, donning a covert outfit recently purchased in the city, and sneakily taking the stone from Thomlin’s home while he was asleep.

Initially, I chose to approach him and inquire about purchasing the Thomlin’s Stone. However, I discovered that the stone wasn’t for sale, and he had no desire to defend it since he felt remorseful for effortlessly winning every contest when challenged. This just made me more frustrated with him, but after some persuasive conversations, he reluctantly agreed to one final fight if I was willing to bet 500 groschen.

In a rather dismal turn of events, Thomlin displayed some impressive moves with a few strong blocks and an agile dodge, but crumbled following two swift jabs that struck his face. Upon my request for the prize, he confessed that the Thunderstone had been swiped from him over three weeks ago. He reimbursed me and revealed the names of the suspects: two laborers from a village further down the road. I can’t help but ponder if confronting him at his residence for the stone could have prevented both the fight and the discovery that he was concealing it. Had I questioned Henry more closely, would he have unraveled Thomlin’s deceit and avoided the skirmish altogether?

Never mind, these farmhands have the stone!

In the western part of Kuttenberg region, I traveled to Raborsch and encountered one of the suspected thieves named Peter, who was tilling some wheat. He confessed promptly to stealing the stone with his friend Hensel. However, he provided a compelling explanation: A group of ruthless mercenaries had been harassing Raborsch for months, and due to various political factors, the local lord chose not to intervene.

In their own initiative, Peter and Hensel resorted to actions without being trained soldiers, banking on the fortune of a Thunderstone to even the odds in an uneven battle. Regrettably, it was Peter who narrowly escaped with his life, while his comrade Hensel, the stone’s bearer, fell into the hands of their leader, Andrew Ramhead.

OK, so we’re saving Hensel I guess

At a crossroads: Should I attempt to free Hensel from Ramhead’s grasp, sneak him away secretly, or confront them head-on? Through optional conversation, I discovered that Ramhead’s group consisted of six members. While not insurmountable odds, I’ve faced and lost battles with fewer before. What if they resist negotiation? Offering money might do the trick, but I didn’t want to use my last 800 groschen. So, I opted to put on my stealth gear, swallowed a Nighthawk potion for night vision, and infiltrated their hideout under the cover of midnight.

In the midst of all the swords clashing and verbal sparring, it’s easy to overlook that Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 boasts an impressive stealth mechanic as well. The guards have lifelike patrol patterns, react convincingly to distractions, and become more alert when they stumble upon a corpse. Henry’s ability to blend in is greatly influenced by his attire; vibrant garments or noisy armor can give him away from quite a distance, but a black cloak and quiet footwear make him nearly invisible under the cover of darkness. The thrill lies in the danger—taking a sneaky approach to an enemy camp without any protective gear is risky business, but pulling off a silent assassination, like slipping a dagger into Ramhead’s heart while he slept, is incredibly rewarding.

Initially, I planned to investigate Ramhead before anyone else, as I thought he could have stolen the Thunderstone from Hensel. Upon searching his pockets and personal chest, I discovered just gold and a warhammer with a ram-shaped head. What’s more annoying than an ordinary bandit is a garish one.

In the end, I hid in the shadows until I discovered Hensel bound in the stables. I took out the guard on duty, concealed his corpse within some bushes, and set Hensel free. Time was of the essence, so we planned to reunite in Raborsch without exchanging words. Later on, I found out that it’s possible to deceive Ramhead into releasing Hensel or even pay for his freedom – a testament to KCD2’s persistent adaptability. It turned out that I had intuitively presumed those possibilities, and they indeed proved to be accurate.

The following day at Hensel’s place, I received the disappointing news I had anticipated: He misplaced the Thunderstone. I surmised that Ramhead was likely the culprit, but it wasn’t in his tent since he had already managed to sell it to a woman named Mlada, residing in yet another village. Let’s proceed.

Please tell me Mlada has the Thunderstone…

She asserts that she has obtained the Thunderstone, although I can’t verify this claim myself. Mlada shared with me that south of Raborsch in Suchdol, her family had used every spare coin they could scrape together to acquire the Thunderstone. This instruction to “Get a Thunderstone” was firmly fixed in my mind at this juncture. I’d endured countless physical battles and encounters filled with frustration for hours on end to reach this point, and I found myself standing so very near to simply taking the stone and concluding my quest then and there.

Later on, Mlada shared information about her ailing husband, Peter, who had been unwell for several weeks without any improvement in sight. She was anxiously counting on the stone to restore his health, and I found myself faced with a difficult decision once again. Two households that desperately needed good fortune were depending on me, but there seemed to be a glimmer of a positive outcome for all involved: Our discussion with Mlada sparked another journey to help Peter recover.

On several occasions, Henry found himself presented with the chance to act as a doctor. Typically, this involves examining the patient, inquiring about their discomfort, and determining which remedy to concoct to alleviate their symptoms – just a few weeks prior, I had mixed up a digestive elixir to aid a man suffering from severe diarrhea, so I was well-prepared.

However, unlike others, Peter presented a unique situation. He abstained from eating and sleeping, seldom left his bed, and barely communicated with anyone. Yet, upon examination, Henry discovered no physical issues plaguing Peter. As they conversed more, it became clear that Peter’s distress was not as simple as a common cold or stomachache.

Instead, he was grappling with an overwhelming anxiety about the world’s state. The occupation of Kuttenberg by Sigismund, the impending threat of war, and the constant fear of bandits similar to Ramhead raiding his home were all contributing factors that weighed heavily on him. These concerns proved too much for Peter to bear.

I felt deeply saddened for the fellow. I thought therapy might have been too expensive for Henry, but given that he’s an exceptional young man with a heart of gold in all of Bohemia, it took some effort to find the right words to lift Peter’s spirits. You may want to watch the video clip above, but here’s part of their conversation I found inspiring:

Henry: “You might be amazed by the amount of strength and courage you can discover when you’re in a tight spot. So don’t flee from your fear, instead, laugh it off.”

Peter: “I’m not worried about myself, I’m worried about Mlada.”

Henry: ‘Remember that, always. Look at me – born as a blacksmith’s son. Can you guess why I am who I am today? Because I promised myself never to abandon my loved ones again… Don’t shy away from the struggle, especially the one within your own mind.’

With a noticeable glisten in my eyes, I provided Peter with some Chamomile tea to aid his sleep and mentioned I would return in a few days to check on him. Upon returning, I found Peter already out of bed and back at work. Mlada expressed gratitude, but remained hesitant to surrender the Thunderstone, attributing Peter’s recovery to the stone’s healing power instead.

In due course, she upheld her promise, and I ultimately obtained the seemingly foolish Thunderstone. As anticipated, its game description made clear it was bereft of any magical properties, but at this point, that detail held little importance. What truly mattered was the hope, courage, or confidence that the Thunderstone inspired in people to confront an unfair world. I then passed the stone on to Kona and continued my journey.

Now that’s how you make a quest.

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2025-03-27 03:03

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