I still remember the first time I loaded up Kingdom Come 2 and found myself back in 15th century Bohemia as Henry of Skalitz. There's something magical about returning to this meticulously crafted world that immediately grabbed me—the way sunlight filters through dense forests, the authentic clanking of armor, and that familiar feeling of being a small fish in a very dangerous pond. Having spent over 80 hours exploring every corner of this sequel, I've compiled what I believe are the ten standout features that make Super Gems3 an absolute must-have gaming experience.
Right off the bat, the historical authenticity blows me away. The developers at Warhorse Studios have outdone themselves in recreating early 15th century Bohemia with what feels like archaeological precision. I'm talking about everything from historically accurate armor designs to authentic medieval settlements that actually look lived-in rather than just pretty backdrops. The attention to detail extends to combat mechanics too—sword fighting feels weighty and realistic, requiring actual skill rather than button mashing. I can't count how many times I've had to actually practice with different weapon types at training grounds before feeling confident enough to take on armored knights.
What really sets Super Gems3 apart for me is the incredible narrative flexibility. Remember how the game picks up right where the first one left off? You're still Henry, that humble blacksmith's son trying to reclaim his father's stolen sword while navigating the region's civil war. But here's where it gets brilliant—the game completely embraces your personal vision for Henry's development. I've played through three different character builds now, and each time Bohemia reacted differently to my choices. When I focused on making Henry a silver-tongued scholar, I found myself bypassing combat entirely through clever dialogue options. During another playthrough, I turned him into a drunken brawler who could barely string two sentences together but could win any tavern fight. The game doesn't judge your choices—it adapts to them.
The character progression system deserves special mention because it's one of the most organic I've encountered in any RPG. Skills develop through actual use rather than arbitrary point allocation. Want to become better at sword fighting? You'd better actually use swords in combat. Need to improve your reading ability? Find books and practice reading them. I particularly love how the game handles Henry's transition from being Sir Hans Capon's well-equipped bodyguard to losing everything and having to rebuild from scratch. That moment when things go awry and you're left with nothing but scars—I felt that vulnerability deeply, and the subsequent rebuilding process became incredibly personal.
Combat in Super Gems3 continues to be refreshingly challenging. Unlike many modern RPGs where you eventually become an unstoppable force, here every fight feels dangerous. The combat system requires genuine skill development—I'd estimate it took me about 15 hours to feel moderately competent with a longsword, and even then, facing multiple opponents remained terrifyingly difficult. The game uses what I'd call a "direction-based" combat system where attack angles and timing matter immensely. It's not easy to master, but once it clicks, the satisfaction of winning a difficult duel is unparalleled.
The living world of Bohemia reacts to your actions in ways that still surprise me after dozens of hours. NPCs remember your previous interactions, and your reputation actually affects available quests and dialogue options. When I played as a thief, merchants would eventually refuse to do business with me unless I paid off my bounty. As a devout Christian, I found certain religious quests opening up that weren't available in my other playthroughs. This dynamic reactivity makes the world feel genuinely alive rather than just serving as a pretty backdrop for your adventures.
Graphically, the game is stunning—I'd argue it represents about a 40% improvement over the original in terms of texture quality and lighting effects. The implementation of ray tracing creates some breathtaking moments, especially when exploring ancient castles or dense forests during different times of day. Performance remains solid too—on my RTX 4070, I maintained around 85-90 fps at 1440p with settings maxed out, though your mileage may vary depending on hardware.
What often goes unmentioned but I find incredibly impressive is the sound design. The ambient sounds of medieval Bohemia—distant church bells, wildlife in forests, blacksmiths hammering away in villages—create an immersive soundscape that's both subtle and powerful. Voice acting has seen significant improvement too, with characters delivering lines with genuine emotion rather than the occasionally wooden performances from the first game.
The quest design deserves its own praise for avoiding the typical fetch-quest trap that plagues many open-world games. Even seemingly simple tasks often branch into complex narratives with multiple solutions. I particularly remember one quest where I needed to retrieve a stolen item—I could either fight my way through bandits, use my persuasion skills to talk my way in, pick a lock at night, or even bribe a guard. The game consistently provides these meaningful choices rather than forcing a single approach.
Kingdom Come 2's alchemy and crafting systems are surprisingly deep—far more than I expected. Creating potions requires following actual recipes and performing each step carefully rather than just clicking a "craft" button. The same goes for blacksmithing and maintenance of weapons and armor. These systems might seem intimidating initially, but they add layers of authenticity that hardcore RPG fans will appreciate.
Ultimately, what makes Super Gems3 so special is how all these elements combine to create a genuinely unique role-playing experience. It's not just about checking off features from a list—it's about how historical authenticity, flexible character development, challenging combat, and a reactive world intertwine to make you feel like you're actually living Henry's story rather than just playing a game. While it might not hold your hand or cater to casual players, those willing to invest the time will find one of the most rewarding RPG experiences available today. Having played through the game multiple times with different approaches, I can confidently say it stands as a testament to what dedicated developers can achieve when they prioritize depth and authenticity over mass appeal.