Some games impress you. Some games entertain you. And then there are games that quietly absorb weeks of your life and leave you thinking about them long after you’ve logged off. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is firmly in that last category — and it’s why it stands as Poptopic’s Game of the Year (GoTY), and the first title we’ve ever awarded a perfect 10/10.
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One single playthrough ran past 120 hours, and that wasn’t chasing trophies or ticking boxes. That was simply existing in its world. There were still side quests unresolved, regions barely explored, and characters whose stories we hadn’t even brushed against. Very few games manage that sense of scale without feeling bloated. Deliverance II somehow does it while remaining intimate, grounded, and deeply personal.
Rather than softening its edges to appeal to a broader audience, the sequel leans harder into what made the original special. This is still a game that respects history, patience, and consequence. Combat is demanding but vastly more refined, turning what once felt punishing into something deliberate and rewarding. Conversations don’t feel like branching menus — they feel like real exchanges, shaped by reputation, class, appearance, and past behaviour. Even the smallest choices have a habit of echoing hours later.
Henry’s story continues in a way that feels more mature and reflective than before. Without spoiling anything, this isn’t a tale driven by spectacle or hero worship. It’s about survival, identity, faith, and the weight of living in a brutal medieval world where good intentions don’t always lead to good outcomes. Henry himself has grown, but not into some invincible power fantasy. He remains human, flawed, and shaped by the world around him — which makes every triumph feel earned.
Whether or not this is the last time we’ll see Henry is still an open question. The narrative feels like the closing of a major chapter rather than a definitive ending, and it’s clear the developers have been careful not to box themselves in. If this is his final journey, it’s a fitting one. If not, the groundwork for something even more ambitious is already there.
What’s been just as impressive as the core game is how it’s been supported since launch. Major updates have meaningfully improved performance, AI behaviour, and quality-of-life features without compromising the game’s uncompromising design philosophy. The paid DLC has followed that same philosophy — expanding the world with new stories and systems that feel like natural extensions rather than content carved out and sold back later. It all reinforces the feeling that this is a living, evolving world, not a product rushed out the door and abandoned.
There’s been a lot of discussion this year around awards, particularly with Expedition 33. Many players — rightly — feel it was worthy of a Game of the Year (GoTY) conversation, and that debate has only highlighted how strong this year has been overall. Some have argued that while Expedition 33 deserved major recognition, it shouldn’t have taken Best RPG as well. And that’s where Kingdom Come: Deliverance II stands apart. It may not be the flashiest or most accessible RPG of the year, but it is one of the purest expressions of role-playing we’ve seen in a very long time. It asks you to inhabit a life, not just control a character.
For Warhorse Studios, this sequel feels like a statement of confidence. The studio has proven that large-scale, historically grounded RPGs can succeed without compromising vision or authenticity. Whatever comes next — whether it’s another chapter in this world or something entirely new — Warhorse has earned a rare level of trust from its audience.
Stepping back, it’s hard not to appreciate just how strong this year has been for games. Across genres and platforms, 2025 delivered experiences that felt bold, complete, and creatively confident. And if that wasn’t enough, the horizon looks even brighter. With Grand Theft Auto VI looming over 2026 and promising to reshape the conversation yet again, it’s safe to say gamers have a lot to look forward to — and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II will stand as one of the defining benchmarks that future releases will be measured against.
