Summary

  • Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are both old-fashioned RPGs with rich storytelling and player agency.
  • Avowed is high fantasy with magic, while Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 relies on real history for authenticity.
  • Both games offer depth and immersion, emphasizing world-building and traditional RPG elements over modern trends.

Obsidian Entertainment's Avowed and Warhorse Studios' Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are undoubtedly two of the most anticipated games of 2025, and while they appear to be different experiences entirely, they are effectively two sides of the same coin. Avowed takes players to the Living Lands of Eora, where they have been tasked with investigating a plague-like corruption spreading across the land. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, however, continues the story of Henry from the first game, and is set in early 15th-century Bohemia during a civil war. Needless to say, they have some key differences.

While Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are obviously different in many ways, they are also fundamentally the same in one very big way. The way each of these games is presented to players — in their characters, narrative, and worldbuilding — is the primary factor that distinguishes one from the other. However, beneath the surface, embedded within the foundation of their gameplay, is a unique characteristic that not only makes them more alike to each other than one might think but also makes them distinctive experiences in the modern gaming industry.

Elder Scrolls 6 Witcher Avowed
The Elder Scrolls 6 Has the Chance to be Oddly Refreshing Among Fantasy RPGs

The Elder Scrolls 6 is probably still a ways off, but when it does arrive, it might be able to stand out from the crowd by embracing tradition.

3
By 

Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Are the Same Houses Built Differently

Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Are Both Old-Fashioned RPGs

Where Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are alike is in their approach to the RPG genre. Specifically, at their core, both Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are old-fashioned RPGs that possess the depth that many modern RPGs, like Starfield and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have been accused of lacking. Firstly, both Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are steeped in rich history, with political intrigue, strong storytelling, and fulfilling characterization being three of their standout features. These have long been considered key elements of old-school RPGs, and it's refreshing to see such an open embrace of such characteristics in modern gaming.

Secondly, Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 emphasize player agency, another hallmark quality of traditional RPGs. Throughout each story, players will be presented with opportunities to drive the narrative forward the way they see fit, or to mold and shape their relationships with NPCs in the same way. Thirdly, each game seems to prioritize worldbuilding and immersion above even gameplay to create environments where exploration, dialogue, and role-playing are just as important as emerging victorious in combat.

Earlier RPGs heavily relied on these elements to produce a slower, more methodical pace meant to draw more attention to the worlds players immersed themselves in.

Avowed Is High Fantasy, Whereas Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Relies on Real History

While their similarities are a significant part of their DNA, however, Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 still differ from one another considerably — primarily in their presentation. Avowed embraces high-fantasy tropes, like magic, gods, and mystical lore. This also affects its gameplay, which sees players using a mixture of real weapons, like swords and bows, with fictional combat tactics, like magic spells. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, on the other hand, grounds itself in realism, relying solely on history to not only tell its story but also impact its gameplay. In other words, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 offers a challenging take on medieval combat, alongside a normal, non-heroic protagonist with no special abilities aside from his skill as a blacksmith.

Both Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are old-fashioned RPGs that possess the depth that many modern RPGs, like Starfield and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have been accused of lacking.

At their deepest level, Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are a return to the rich storytelling, meaningful player choices, and immersive worldbuilding that have defined the best RPGs of the past. However, while Avowed relies on its high-fantasy, magical approach, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 depends wholly on historical realism, offering an experience entrenched in authenticity. In other words, old-school RPG fans might find something to love in both titles, even though each one applies a different approach.

  • Rating block community and brand ratings Image
    Avowed Tag Page Cover Art
    7 /10

    Avowed
    Display card tags widget
    Action RPG
    Adventure
    RPG
    Display card system widget
    Systems
    Xbox-1 PC-1
    Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget
    Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 82%
    Display card main info widget
    Released
    February 18, 2025
    ESRB
    Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
    Developer(s)
    Obsidian Entertainment
    Publisher(s)
    Xbox Game Studios
    Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start
    Avowed Press Image 9
    13 Images
    Avowed Press Image 9
    Avowed Press Image 10
    Avowed Press Image 8
    Avowed Press Image 5
    Avowed Press Image 3
    Avowed Press Image 12
    Avowed Press Image 7
    Avowed Press Image 11
    Avowed Press Image 13
    Avowed Press Image 1
    Avowed Press Image 4
    Avowed Press Image 2
    Avowed Press Image 6
    Display card media widget end

    WHERE TO PLAY

    SUBSCRIPTION
    DIGITAL
    Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

    Genre(s)
    Action RPG, Adventure, RPG
  • Rating block community and brand ratings Image
    Kingdom Come Deliverance II Tag Page Cover Art
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
    Display card tags widget
    RPG
    Action-Adventure
    Open-World
    Display card system widget
    Systems
    PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
    Display card community and brand rating widget
    10 /10
    Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget
    Released
    February 4, 2025
    ESRB
    Mature 17+ / Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity
    Developer(s)
    Warhorse Studios
    Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start
    Kingdom Come Deliverance II Press Image 7
    12 Images
    Kingdom Come Deliverance II Press Image 7
    Kingdom Come Deliverance II Press Image 5
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 May Be Getting Banned in Saudi Arabia
    Kingdom Come Deliverance II Press Image 9
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 May Be Getting Banned in Saudi Arabia
    Kingdom Come Deliverance II Press Image 4
    Kingdom Come Deliverance II Press Image 8
    Kingdom Come Deliverance II Press Image 1
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 May Be Getting Banned in Saudi Arabia
    Kingdom Come Deliverance II Press Image 2
    Kingdom Come Deliverance II Press Image 3
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 May Be Getting Banned in Saudi Arabia
    Display card media widget end

    WHERE TO PLAY

    DIGITAL
    Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is an exhilarating Action RPG, set amidst the chaos of a civil war in 15th Century Bohemia.

    You are Henry of Skalitz – an ordinary man doing extraordinary things – caught in a gripping tale of revenge, betrayal, and discovery as he embarks on an epic journey, 'from a humble blacksmith's forge to the court of Kings', searching for purpose in this beautiful but brutal medieval world.

    From bustling city streets to lush forests, explore this open-world Medieval Europe through an unforgettable adventure filled with action, thrills, and wonder.

    Genre(s)
    RPG, Action-Adventure, Open-World