Kingdom Come: Deliverance II draws players back into its meticulously crafted medieval Bohemia with “Brushes with Death,” its inaugural story-focused downloadable content. This expansion introduces a fresh narrative strand for the game’s protagonist, Henry, diverging from grand battles to explore a more intimate and peculiar tale.
The adventure begins when Henry discovers Master Voyta, an enigmatic painter, in a dire state—bound and seemingly conversing with a human skull as wolves close in. This encounter spirals into a personal journey, delving into Voyta’s troubled psyche and his artistic endeavors, all while a broader game update enriches the world with several new activities.
A Portrait of Intrigue: Voyta’s Story
The heart of “Brushes with Death” lies with Master Voyta, an artist whose personality is as colorful and complex as the pigments he uses. Found tied to a tree, his initial plight quickly reveals an eccentric individual, one who finds companionship in a painted skull and whose life seems genuinely to have had literal “brushes with death.”
The core quest tasks Henry with assisting Voyta in the completion of a significant painting for a local monastery. This artistic endeavor serves as the framework for unraveling Voyta’s guarded past and the deeper meanings behind his strange behaviors. The narrative weaves a specific atmosphere, a curious mix of the faintly humorous, the deeply strange, and at times, the unsettling, feeling less like a grand epic and more akin to a focused character study with elements of a mystery.
Player interaction with Voyta is central to the experience. Dialogue choices can subtly influence how much the guarded painter reveals about himself; indeed, astute players might unlock deeper insights into his character, rewarding their conversational efforts. The script is generally strong, and Voyta’s voice actor, in particular, delivers a performance that infuses the character with a compelling energy.
While the stakes of Voyta’s personal story are considerably lower than the sweeping historical conflicts of the main game—feeling at times like a “filler episode” if played directly after the main campaign’s dramatic conclusion—it still manages to present a reasonably engaging character arc. Certain quest steps, like aiding an elderly woman by recreating her deceased husband’s routines to jog her memory, showcase a nuanced approach to objective design, even if other parts involve more standard travel and collection.
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Beyond the Canvas: New Pursuits in Bohemia
Accompanying Voyta’s tale, the DLC and its associated patch introduce a welcome suite of new gameplay elements. The most thematically integrated of these is shield painting. Once befriended, Voyta will offer his artistic services, allowing Henry to customize any shield with various patterns, colors, and symbols—including period-inspired designs and some unlocked through specific quests.
This feature provides a satisfying touch of personalization, enabling players to further define Henry’s legacy through his heraldry. It’s a feature many may find themselves using simply to display the Skalitz coat of arms, a fitting choice for Henry.
The update also addresses player desires for repeatable equestrian activities. Horse racing, previously a one-off quest element, is now available across several courses in the Trosky region, with selectable opponent skill levels. These races test not only riding proficiency but also knowledge of the Bohemian landscape, as shortcuts through the woods are fair game. Alongside racing, horse archery contests make their debut.
These courses challenge players to shoot targets from horseback while navigating obstacles, pushing mastery of a combat style the main game doesn’t extensively demand. While heavy crossbows and handgonnes cannot be reloaded while mounted, other ranged weapons become more viable tools.
These additions, while perhaps not revolutionary, provide enjoyable diversions and flesh out the world’s activities. The patch also brings minor economic adjustments, such as refining the availability of high-end goods in larger cities.
Fitting the Frame: DLC in the Wider World
“Brushes with Death” becomes accessible fairly early, after the conclusion of Act 1, allowing players to weave its narrative into their broader playthrough. The experience of this DLC, however, appears to differ significantly based on when it’s undertaken.
Integrating Voyta’s story organically alongside other quests during a fresh journey through Kingdom Come: Deliverance II seems to be the ideal scenario. In this context, its 7 to 12-hour length and sometimes “plodding” quest structure—which occasionally leans on Henry to “FedEx” items or travel to converse with individuals—feels more natural, another thread in Henry’s development.
Conversely, tackling it as a standalone piece after completing the main story can make its lower stakes feel somewhat anticlimactic and its pacing more noticeable, especially if one has exhausted other map activities.
The questline itself assumes a certain level of player competence and map familiarity, which might mean endgame players find combat encounters trivial, even if the narrative attempts to build to a challenging boss. For a Henry still developing his skills, some situations might present a more fitting challenge.
Voyta’s story does connect with the game’s established world, sending Henry across familiar landscapes, but its self-contained nature means it doesn’t fundamentally alter the main narrative’s trajectory. On a technical note, the patch introducing this DLC has, for some, brought unwelcome graphical anomalies.
Reports mention entire buildings and rock formations flickering as higher-detail versions load, particularly in and around towns and castles. While not universally experienced, this and other minor instances of “weirdness on horseback” or occasional crashes are worth noting, as they can detract from the otherwise immersive experience.
The Review
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Brushes with Death
"Brushes with Death" offers a curious, character-driven diversion with the intriguing Master Voyta and welcome new activities like shield painting. While Voyta’s personal tale is well-acted, its low stakes and sometimes plodding pace feel more suited to a fresh playthrough rather than a post-campaign return. The added gameplay features are enjoyable, but new technical blemishes slightly mar the canvas of this otherwise modestly priced addition to Henry's Bohemian saga. It’s a worthwhile, if not essential, expansion.
PROS
- Compelling new character, Master Voyta, with excellent voice work.
- Meaningful shield customization adds personalization.
- New repeatable horse racing and archery activities.
- Offers a decent amount of content for its price.
CONS
- The main DLC story feels somewhat low-impact after the main game.
- Quest pacing can drag with some fetch-like objectives.
- Best experienced when woven into a new playthrough.
- The accompanying patch introduced some graphical issues for players.
