"Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2" will introduce its Hardcore Mode on April 15. According to reports, this is the second free DLC from Warhorse Studio, ahead of their planned paid DLC release later this year.
Hardcore mode was a fan favorite in the original “Kingdom Come: Deliverance,” and its return in the sequel has many players eagerly awaiting its release. Soon, players will be able to take on greater challenges in the new hardcore mode, featuring permadeath and other new hardcore elements. Compared to its predecessor, “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2” already presents a significant learning curve, and the addition of hardcore mode will undoubtedly make the game even more challenging.
The hardcore mode in "Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2" will ramp up the game's difficulty through several methods. The primary challenge arises from "hardcore traits." At the start of the game, players are required to select three of these traits. Each one imposes a specific negative effect on the protagonist, Henry, usually with a touch of humor. These traits come with permanent penalties that cannot be removed, compelling players to either adapt or face inevitable failure.
Beyond these traits, hardcore mode in “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2” eliminates fast travel and disables auto-save features. Both in-combat and out-of-combat user interfaces (UI) are significantly simplified, removing health and stamina bars entirely. Additionally, Henry’s position on the map won’t be shown, nor will the compass provide basic directions.
The development team advises newcomers to try “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2” on a lower difficulty level before diving into hardcore mode. Many players struggle initially as they need to grasp numerous systems and mechanics. Even if players don’t intend to finish “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2” first, getting acquainted with part of the game can make tackling hardcore mode’s challenges more manageable.