Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s Hardcore Mode Is The Best Way To Handle Video Game Difficulty

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In many instances, video games can succumb to a common pitfall when increasing difficulty levels. This may manifest as stronger opponents, limited resources, or even permanent character death. The specifics of this challenge can differ among game developers, but it frequently boils down to manipulating statistics such as health and damage inflicted versus received – while straightforward, these adjustments are generally uninspired.

The latest update for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 introduced the Hardcore Mode, which was also implemented in the initial version soon after launch. This new mode exemplifies an effective approach to enhancing a game’s difficulty not by amplifying existing features, but by enriching the overall player experience.

It’s More Than Just Health And Damage

If you opt for Hardcore mode in KCD2, you might discover that there are no automatic enhancements to your character’s health or damage indicators. In the standard game, Henry starts with 100 health and doesn’t acquire any additional health points through leveling up, as this isn’t how real-life human bodies function.

In the tougher difficulty setting, Henry’s health remains unchanged, but various features that typically aid you, like compass directions, map positioning, and combat crosshair guidance, are removed. This means you must focus more on enemy movements and adapt accordingly. Furthermore, enemies become more aggressive. The sword, as a weapon, won’t receive any additional boosts, but enemies will be better skilled in its use. Essentially, success depends on your equipment, abilities, personal skills, and understanding of the game.

In other areas, the game leans more towards simulating out-of-battle experiences, which many other games often overlook when it comes to adjusting difficulty. Removing your ability to navigate via menus and the HUD requires a heightened awareness of the environment, such as the position of the sun in the sky, and even seeking guidance from NPCs if you’re uncertain about directions. These minor changes contribute significantly to making the game feel more authentic, similar to what life was like during medieval times – and the closer you come to that reality, the tougher the game becomes.

And Then We Have The Perks

Apart from the existing challenges, Hardcore demands that you select at least three disadvantages for Henry. For instance, he could have a troublesome back, reducing your carrying capacity by half and increasing the likelihood of injury when bending to gather herbs. Another drawback is that any criminal activity results in a permanent mark, making him instantly recognizable as a criminal, putting him at an increased risk of execution.

Choosing your preferred options will tailor your adventure in a manner that aligns perfectly with the concept of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. This customization makes the challenge engaging and unique. It’s not merely about increasing difficulty, but rather enhancing the game to create new, challenging experiences, adding layers to the original gameplay.

If you’re feeling particularly unkind towards yourself, you could opt for choosing all the unfavorable aspects in the game. However, completing the game under such conditions would earn you an achievement. Whether it’s a good idea or not, that’s debatable. Perhaps it might be worth the effort, possibly.

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2025-04-26 23:34