Warhorse Studios has officially launched the 1.2.4 update for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, bringing significant gameplay changes and quality-of-life improvements. The centerpiece of this update is the fully realized Hardcore Mode, which transforms the medieval RPG into an even more authentic survival experience.

The Hardcore Experience

The new Hardcore Mode fundamentally alters gameplay mechanics:

• Mandatory Negative Perks: Players must select three permanent handicaps at character creation
• No Fast Travel: All movement occurs in real-time, emphasizing survival preparation
• Smarter Enemies: Combatants now employ flanking tactics and coordinated attacks
• Economic Rebalance: Herb prices adjusted to prevent exploitation of trade systems

Warhorse Studios had previously acknowledged the accidental early release of an unfinished version of this mode. The finalized iteration includes additional balancing tweaks based on player feedback from that incident.

Character Customization Expanded

Responding to community requests, the update introduces:

• Bald Hairstyle Option: Available at all barber shops throughout Bohemia
• Visual Improvements: Fixed shadow rendering issues during specific weather conditions

Ethical Design Choices

The developers recently addressed the noticeable absence of children in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's settlements. This was a conscious decision to:

• Avoid potential ethical dilemmas regarding virtual child characters
• Prevent possible public relations controversies
• Focus development resources on core gameplay elements

While some players argue this diminishes immersion, many appreciate the studio's proactive approach to sensitive topics.

Technical Improvements

The comprehensive patch notes detail numerous fixes:

• Resolved crashes related to dice minigames and mod overload
• Corrected perk functionality for Sagittarius and Wildrider abilities
• Fixed quest progression issues in "Judgment Day" and "The Jaunt" storylines
• Addressed Xbox save file compatibility problems