"Kingdom Come Definitive Enlargement showcases the optimal aspects of the main game condensed, although it fails to deliver a groundbreaking experience."
In the heart of the Middle Ages, there's a bit of envy brewing. Sweet acceptance of pestilence, fanatical religious fervor, or backbreaking farming is hard to come by, but give 'em this - they lived in a world brimming with magic. Leave your milk out, and you'd be tussling with a hobgoblin curdling your dairy. Call it bad luck, or spooky spirits, blames were cast on Lucifer, gremlins, Baba Yaga, witches, and every lousy sector union you could think of.
Brushes With Death, the first expansion for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, mirrors this patchwork of superstition, adding a dash of absurdity to an already fantastic medieval RPG. Every bizarre occurrence or unfortunate twist of fate can be attributed to pagan gods, basilisks, or a peculiar painter who chums it up with a skull whispering secrets in his ear. Unraveling this puzzle in just the two hours of gameplay I've experienced thus far, is nothing short of entertaining.
It all kicks off like any other sidequest in KCD2, identifiable only by its unique icon on the map - you stumble upon a fellow tied to a tree, surrounded by wolves, conversing with none other than a human skull. The ensuing journey feels like an intensified essence of KCD2 - Warhorse appears to have taken aim at aspects of the game that players loved and cranked up the intensity, serving it up in digestible bites.
You meet the skull-guy, who goes by the name of Master Voyta, and he promptly sends our embattled protagonist, Henry, on a quest to retrieve stolen possessions from a pair of troublemakers hiding in the woods. They knocked our down-on-his-luck artist over the head with a stick, making off with his gambling dice and paints.
The choices you make in reclaiming Voyta's swag are a showcase for KCD2's immersive simulation approach - smooth-talk your way into their good graces, only to challenge them to games of dice and archery for the loot. Or go for broke and just stab the guys to claim your prize. Gotta love that free reign.
The immersive sensation continued throughout my time with the DLC, as Warhorse honed in on aspects of the main game that resonated with players and delivered them at high intensity and rapid-fire succession. You get the familiar imsim-esque choices, moments of lighthearted humor, intriguing scientific discussions, and Peter Pan-worthy exchanges between Henry and Voyta as our humble rural lad tries to unravel the mysteries surrounding this enigmatic painter and his talking skull buddy.
Stay up-to-date with the PC Gamer team
Keep tabs on the latest gaming news, reviews, and hardware deals with our dedicated team.
At first glance, Brushes With Death feels like a high-quality sidequest. However, it's important to note that the DLC does not introduce any entirely new and expansive systems to KCD2's already complex game mechanics. Instead, you'll find a new shield customization mechanic, which, while not groundbreaking, does provide some fun with heraldry and an additional layer of personalization.
As I continue my exploration of the Brushes With Death expansion, it remains to be seen whether it will pull the rug out from under me and drastically change my experience, but for now, it seems to be a celebration of the best elements of KCD2 for those, like myself, who crave more of this historical RPG masterpiece. If you come into Brushes With Death expecting a complete game-changer, you might be left wanting, but if you're hankering for Warhorse to run at full steam with a rich, engrossing side-story that embodies the spirit of the main game, then you've found your new playground, amigo. Ain't that good news. Hallelujah.
Josh WolensJoining forces with the PC Gamer team, one of Joshua Wolens' earliest gaming memories revolves around playing Quake 2 when he really shouldn't have been. Ever since, his writing has appeared in various outlets, including Vice, Fanbyte, and the Financial Times. A versatile writer, he's lent his talent to covering visual novels, Assassin's Creed, and pretty much everything in between. His true passion lies in CRPGs, immersive sims, and games that outshine their budget. He believes we're all far too tough on Deus Ex: Invisible War.
- The new DLC, Brushes With Death, brings an element of absurdity to the medieval RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, mirroring the patchwork of superstition in the game's medieval setting.
- The expansion offers a variety of gaming choices, from smooth-talking to armed combat, reminiscent of the immersive simulation approach in the main game.
- Brushes With Death could be considered a high-quality sidequest, as it remains true to the spirit of the main game, providing a rich, engrossing side-story for those craving more of the historical RPG masterpiece.
