Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Introduces Hardcore Mode with Patch 1.2.4

Warhorse Studios is back again with Patch 1.2.4 for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 after their impressive Patch 1.2 in March, which delivered over a thousand crucial fixes. This latest update launched on Tuesday morning and is currently available for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5.

While this patch offers some balance adjustments and bug fixes, the real game-changer is the introduction of Hardcore Mode, dramatically increasing the game’s difficulty level. Hardcore Mode conceals your map position, removes directional indicators from the HUD compass, and abolishes fast travel options. Moreover, it disables the combat HUD, stripping away perfect block and riposte indicators, while also ramping up enemy aggression when you’re outnumbered.

As if Henry’s medieval Bohemian adventure wasn’t challenging enough, Hardcore Mode also requires choosing at least three special negative perks (mastering all of them and completing the game earns you a prestigious achievement). These perks can permanently slow your experience gains or lower your carrying capacity, among other debuffs, with some making a return from the original Kingdom Come’s Hardcore Mode and others being entirely new creations by Warhorse.

The developers have also explained that the main aim of Hardcore Mode is not just to crank up the difficulty but also to make the gameplay more immersive. Players will have to rely on asking NPCs for directions and pay keen attention to identifiable landmarks scattered in the wilderness to navigate without map markers.

Warhorse’s senior game designer, Karel Kolmann, shared insights on the enhanced Hardcore Mode. He noted how they have built upon the first game’s challenges by adding brand-new perks and features, like the ability to ask NPCs for your location, enhancing immersion.

But if you’re craving even more difficulty, there’s an additional perk that restricts roadside assistance entirely. For the truly daring, you can couple this with the "Somnambulant" perk, a sleepwalking challenge where you might occasionally wake up lost after a night’s rest.

I might not be brave enough to tackle all these challenges myself, but diving into Hardcore Mode is definitely on my agenda for a future playthrough. The mid-to-late stages of KCD2 tend to get a tad easier, especially once you’re decked out with top-tier gear. Hardcore Mode seems like the perfect way to maintain a robust challenge throughout the game.

Overall, this mode is a fantastic addition ready to go just as the game is set to release its DLC expansions later this year, as teased in their roadmap trailer. With the major update addressing most significant bugs and introducing official mod support, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is in tip-top shape.

As a standout title potentially climbing to the top of 2025’s Game of the Year list, it has been a critical and commercial success right off the bat. Now available on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5, it’s a must-have for RPG enthusiasts, especially at the attractive price point of $50.39 on CDKeys.

Now, let’s dive into the official Patch 1.2.4 notes straight from Warhorse Studios’ site.

Patch 1.2.4 is now available! This update delivers several important fixes, quality-of-life improvements, and the anticipated Hardcore Mode. Here’s the rundown of changes:

New:

• Hardcore Mode

Features:

• Balance: Tweaked shop prices for herbs to ensure they aren’t selling for more than purchasing price.

• Barber: Introduced a bald hairstyle for Henry, addressed shadow flickering in certain weather.

• Dice: Resolved a crash issue when hit during dice selection.

• Items: Fixed the broken wreath model.

• Mods: Addressed saving issues when numerous mods are installed.

• Skills & Perks: Corrected issues with Sagittarius, On the Road, Salva, and Wildrider perks not functioning properly when transitioning from 1.1.X to 1.2.X.

• Stability: Fixed multiple frequent crashes.

Platform-Specific Fixes – Xbox:

• Resolved issues where certain saves were inaccessible due to Gold edition/Season pass licensing.

Quests:

• Judgment Day: Fixed NPC behavior errors post-final quest, and victory overlay glitches.
• The Jaunt: Rectified Lord Semine’s tendency to get stuck post-practice fight.

This patch, inspired by player feedback, is another step toward perfecting Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. Thanks for your continued support—there’s plenty more to come!