Hardcore Mode turns Kingdom Come: Deliverance II into a true test of survival. Henry’s location is no longer permanently shown on the map, there is no compass to guide you, and fast travel is disabled, forcing you to navigate the world entirely on your own. Raising the stakes further, players need to select at least three permanent negative traits at the start of the game, such as Bad Back, meaning you can carry less weight; Somnambulant, which means sleepwalking and waking up in random places; or Hangry Henry, who is even more obsessed with food than usual.

This is an evolution of a mode that existed in the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance designed to create a new level of immersion in the game.

Karel Kolmann, senior game designer at Warhorse Studios, explained that they wanted the Hardcore Mode to be as good as it was in the first game, but not a carbon copy.

“We only kept a couple of the first game’s perks, and then we made new ones to provide a completely new challenge,” he said. “It’s not just about making the game harder either, it’s about making it more immersive too.

“In the first game’s Hardcore Mode, we did things like disabling your map position and removing the compass, but we’ve gone further this time. We’ve added the option to ask different NPCs about your location in the world, which is something more immersive. You can run into travellers on the road and ask for directions,” he added.

You can read more from Karel and see the full list of Hardcore Mode perks at https://kingdomcomerpg.com

For those who missed out on the Gallant Huntsman Kit (originally included as part of the Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Gold Edition), your FOMO ends here, because this kit is now available as DLC.

Whether you’re tracking down your parents’ killers or stalking game in the forest, you can now look the part with the Gallant Huntsman’s Kit. From sporting St. Hubert’s hunting cap, firing bolts at your quarry with Artemis’ crossbow, or looking dapper in Nimrod’s famous hunting coat, this hunting garb is a must-have for the aspiring ranger.

What does the Gallant Huntsman’s Kit include?

• St. Hubert hat: Hunting cap based on a legend about St. Hubert
• Master huntsman’s hood: Adorned with pearls to protect from the elements
• Nimrod coat: Hunting coat based on the famous hunter Nimrod
• “Master huntsman’s hose: Trousers for a proper hunter
• Master huntsman’s gloves: Hunting gloves crafted from leather for manipulating weapons and downing game
• Master huntsman’s boots: Hunting boots well-made from leather for stable movement through dense forest
• Artemis’ crossbow: A new type of ranged weapon perfect for hunting Hunting bolt: 30 bolts to use with the crossbow

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is out now on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and Xbox Series X|S – available in Standard, Gold, and Collector’s Editions.