Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 “Brushes With Death” DLC Review – Splash of Pain

by

It’s time for another exciting journey into Trosky, as you embark on a fresh adventure with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2‘s first story expansion! Although it doesn’t directly continue the main narrative from the original game, this DLC promises an engaging story filled with mystery, loyalty, and violence. It tells a self-contained tale that resonates with the gravity of past events.

If you’re seeking additional content similar to what was initially provided, Brushes With Death has got you covered!

Steel Yourself, Warrior—Fate Calls You Back to Trosky.

The story “Brushes With Death” opens with an artist named Voyta, bound to a pole and seemingly doomed, discovered by a traveler named Henry during his travels. After a short struggle against a pack of ravenous wolves, Henry rescues Voyta, who is deeply grateful for the rest of his life.

After saving Vojta and spending more time with him, Henry starts observing concerning behaviors – Vojta often talks to himself or engages in dialogues with a painted human skull. In an age where faith, insanity, and superstition overlap subtly, it grows evident to the player that this narrative explores the delicate territory of mental health issues.

In a straightforward manner, Vojta openly acknowledges experiencing voices and things that don’t exist in reality, which are signs often associated with conditions such as schizophrenia. However, during the medieval era, these types of experiences were not seen as medical issues, but rather as divine or demonic interactions. This leaves Henry and the player pondering whether Vojta is afflicted by madness or something much more mystical instead.

The eight-hour-long DLC narrative I experienced is superbly crafted, brimming with unexpected turns, laughter, and heartfelt moments. The character Vojta fits seamlessly into the game and is widely appreciated. His story, set against a backdrop of dealing with mental health issues during an era that attributed such afflictions to demonic possession, is handled sensitively and effectively. From Henry’s perspective, who assists Vojta in his quest to complete his masterpiece, this tale unfolds particularly well. All in all, it’s a commendable addition to the game, though some sections may seem prolonged and reminiscent of a lengthy fetch quest.

In other areas, the Downloadable Content (DLC) brings a fresh shield customization system through a painting mechanic, enabling players to personalize their shields with exclusive colors and patterns. Although I’m generally enthusiastic about additional choices, this specific feature didn’t see much use from me. Furthermore, a complimentary update was released concurrently with the paid DLC, enriching the gameplay by offering additional horse races and archery challenges in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, providing players with even more activities to engage in within the world of

To put it simply, Brushes With Death and its accompanying upgrade have proven to be outstanding enhancements to a game I previously regarded as one of the greatest ever made.

Allow me to add a thought that seems particularly relevant. It revolves around the way this DLC aligns with the overall gaming journey for those who have finished the primary storyline.

The issue with evaluating content such as this stems from its context. Since I’ve previously played the original game and even wrote a glowing review for it, declaring it my favorite game of the year, my anticipation for any DLC is exceptionally high. That doesn’t mean Brushes With Death is subpar; on the contrary, it’s an excellent addition to the Kingdom Come: Deliverance universe. However, I believe it would have been more enjoyable to play this content when initially experiencing the main game.

Typically, DLC either extends the main story or creates a standalone adventure. Brushes With Death could potentially function as a standalone piece if we focus on its length, which took me over 8 hours to complete. Nevertheless, it seems more like an extended side quest rather than a whole new experience that builds upon what I’ve already played.

I’d like to emphasize that while the content isn’t poor quality, it seems more engaging for those experiencing it as a first-time player in the game. Therefore, if you’ve already completed the game, don’t anticipate revolutionary changes with this expansion pack. To be fair, considering its price of $6 and over 8 hours of playtime, that’s an incredible value. The content itself is enjoyable and worth the investment.

As someone who’s eagerly awaiting further content, I’d suggest holding off if you’ve already completed the game. There’s additional DLC in the pipeline, and experiencing all the expansions together could offer a more fulfilling journey.

The sequel to Kingdom Come: Deliverance, titled “Brushes With Death,” has been launched across all gaming platforms, allowing players to dive back into the medieval world of Bohemia once more.

Score: 8/10

Pros:

  • Excellent writing with emotional depth and engaging twists.
  • Vojta is a compelling, well-developed character.
  • Thoughtful depiction of mental illness within a historical context.
  • Over 8 hours of content for only $6—great value.
  • More of what we loved from the original game.

Cons:

  • Feels more like a lengthy sidequest than a major standalone story.
  • Best experienced during the base game, not after completing it.
  • Some quest segments feel padded or overly fetch-heavy.

Read More

2025-05-19 17:02