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Warhorse Studios has officially confirmed that the highly anticipated Hardcore Mode for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will be released next week, bringing a fresh layer of challenge to the medieval RPG that many veterans of the series have been eagerly awaiting.
What to Expect in Hardcore Mode
The upcoming update will fundamentally alter the gameplay experience for those seeking a more realistic and challenging medieval adventure. Similar to its predecessor, KCD2’s Hardcore Mode will strip away many of the convenience features that players have become accustomed to in the standard game.
Players can expect minimal UI elements with no player marker on the map, no cardinal directions on the compass, and the complete removal of fast travel. Combat will become significantly more challenging without block indicators or health and stamina bars on screen. However, the developers have added one quality-of-life feature that wasn’t in the original game: players can now ask NPCs for directions to help pinpoint their location on the map.
Negative Perks System
The most distinctive feature of KCD2’s Hardcore Mode is the return of the negative perks system. Players will be required to choose at least three of the ten available negative perks at the start of a Hardcore playthrough. These perks will permanently alter gameplay in various challenging ways:
- Bad Luck – Reduces carrying capacity and adds a chance of straining your back when picking herbs, leaving Henry hobbling for a while.
- Heavy-Footed – Shoes wear down faster, and you generally make more noise.
- Numbskull – All experience gain is reduced by 20%.
- Somnambulant – Energy depletes faster, and there’s a chance of sleepwalking to a random location when sleeping.
- Hangry Henry – Food fills you 20% less, digestion rate increases by 50%, and hunger reduces Speech, Charisma, and Intimidation.
- Sweaty – You get dirty faster, smell worse, can be detected from twice as far away, and perfume provides no benefits.
- Picky Eater – Food spoils 25% faster, and you receive only half the usual items when gutting animals.
- Bashful – You can’t ask for directions, can’t request all bathhouse services, and gain Speech skill more slowly.
- Punchable Face – Road encounters are more dangerous, enemies never surrender, and combat is generally more difficult.
- Menace – Crime brands are permanent, second serious crimes lead to execution, and punishments are more severe.
A Long-Awaited Challenge
Many players have been holding off on their playthroughs specifically to experience the game first in Hardcore Mode. The timing seems perfect for those who have completed their initial playthrough and are looking for a new challenge.
For players concerned about the difficulty, developers have confirmed that Hardcore Mode is intended to provide a completely different experience rather than just making the game more tedious. The update aims to enhance realism and immersion while providing a substantially more challenging adventure through medieval Bohemia.
The Hardcore Mode update will be available as a free download for all Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 owners starting next week.
