KCD2 vs Modern RPGs: Warhorse Studios defends ‘True Freedom’
The term “RPG” feels like a label everyone wants to paste on their game box these days. If a character has a health bar and a skill tree, boom—it’s an RPG.
But is it really? We’ve reached a point where action-adventure titles and survival sims are lumped into the same bucket as hardcore stat-crunchers. It’s messy.
Developer Warhorse Studios isn’t playing that game. With Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, they are doubling down on a philosophy that strips away the modern fluff. They want to get back to the raw core of the genre: absolute freedom.
The “RPG” Identity Crisis
We’ve seen it happen at the 2025 Game Awards. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 lost the Best RPG title to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Now, Expedition 33 is a stunner—it has turn-based combat, a party system, and a deep story. But it’s a narrative ride on rails. You’re watching a movie and occasionally steering the ship.
This highlights the disconnect. Having “RPG elements” isn’t the same as being an RPG.
In an exclusive interview with Game Rant, KCD2 Design Director Viktor Bocan cut through the noise to define what actually matters. It’s not about the loot color or damage numbers. It’s about agency. If the game protects you from your own bad decisions, are you really role-playing?
Bocan argues that a true RPG doesn’t just curate a fun trip for you. It gives you a world that reacts to who you decide to be—even if you decide to be a total failure.
Game Rant chats with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 design director Viktor Bocan about what makes a good RPG and how KCD2 applies those rules. @WarhorseStudios https://t.co/5l6BrajaYR pic.twitter.com/Avqe70HGlH
— GameRant (@GameRant) January 28, 2026
KCD2: The Art of the Blank Slate
Most games want you to feel special immediately. You’re the “Chosen One,” the “Dragonborn,” or the super-soldier. Kingdom Come goes the opposite direction. You are Henry. And Henry is… nobody.
Bocan told Game Rant that the team considered giving Henry a small unique trait, like being the only literate person in his village. They scrapped it. Why? Because that’s too much control taken away from the player.
“I really wanted you to start at the bottom with this basic guy. Make him a blank piece of paper and let players do anything they want. If you want to learn how to read, do that. If you don’t want to learn how to read, don’t.” — Viktor Bocan (via Game Rant)
This is where the magic happens. Growth in KCD2 isn’t abstract. It’s not just a “+5 to Intelligence” stat. It’s functional. You don’t just click a button to “learn riding”; you have to physically struggle with the horse until Henry (and you) figure it out.
Bocan emphasizes that this struggle is the point. The satisfaction doesn’t come from being handed power by the plot. It comes from “coming into their power and overcoming obstacles by your own doing.”
Verdict: Is the Struggle Worth It?
If you’re tired of games that hold your hand and mark every objective with a giant glowing arrow, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the antidote.
It demands patience. It asks you to earn your victories rather than handing them over for participation. It might not fit the broad definition of “RPG” that the industry uses today, but that’s exactly why it stands out. It’s a simulation of a life, not just a stat sheet.
Does true freedom in games excite you, or do you prefer a tighter, story-driven experience where you can’t mess up?
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
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