So This Really Is Goodbye!

On the 12th, Warhorse Studios' medieval RPG  “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II”  released its final DLC, “Mysteria Ecclesiae.” Following the official launch of the main game earlier this year, Henry's journey will officially come to an end with this final story DLC (for now).

As the title suggests, this story DLC features an exciting narrative set in a church. Henry is tasked with escorting the royal physician Albich to Sedlec Monastery, where he must investigate the cause of an unnamed disease that has just begun to spread within the monastery.

The two DLCs released so far have played a role in further expanding the world of “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II,” and this work is no exception. Henry, who has painted a design on his shield and now owns his own forge in Kuttenberg, can now access the Sedletz Monastery in the West of Kuttenberg, which was previously inaccessible in the main game.

Game Name: Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: Mysteria Ecclesiae
Creator: Warhorse Studios
Distributor: Plaion
Platforms: PC (Steam), Xbox, PS5
Keywords: #Medieval #DLC #Exploration #RPG #Importance of Choices
Genre: Action, RPG, Open World

Finally, Into the Sedlec Monastery

▲ The Sedletz Monastery, which had been closed, has opened its doors

The stage of “Mysteria Ecclesiae” is set in a monastery, a space that was very closed even at the time. For this reason, the interior of the Sedlec Monastery is isolated from the outside world, and the inhabitants become trapped due to the plague that later sweeps through. Naturally, they cannot procure resources from outside, and they lose all their weapons and armor upon entering the monastery, resulting in significant penalties in combat.

Similar to the previously released “Legacy of the Forge” DLC, “Mysteria Ecclesiae” can be progressed after Henry enters the Kuttenberg region. You can talk to the lord of Suchdol Castle, “Peter of Pisek,” whom you will meet at the very beginning of the region, to start the quest. However, as with the previous DLCs, it is advisable to proceed after reaching a certain level for a better experience.

▲ Henry escorts Royal Physician Albich at the request of Sir Peter

In the story, Henry is tasked with safely escorting the renowned physician and King Wenceslas' personal doctor,“Albich,” to Sedlec Monastery. As you might expect, there is a deep-rooted conflict between King Wenceslas and King Sigismund. Just like in the main story, where you only need to deliver a letter, the journey of escorting the doctor to the monastery also poses unforeseen obstacles.

The Sedlec Monastery, set up as an independent area, greets the main character and his companions with a highly detailed landscape. From the chapel, which is currently under renovation, to the quarters where the servants reside, the area where the monks live, and the wine storage facilities, the medieval monastery is recreated very realistically. In the beginning, the monastery is so complicated with its multiple floors that players can easily get lost; it even features an underground cemetery, providing plenty of exploration opportunities during the short hours of the DLC.

▲ Once you enter the monastery, you will not be able to leave until you see the ending

▲ The ability to view all the maps really shines here

Outbreak and Quarantine: Stealth Becomes Essential

This DLC does not introduce new mechanics to the game like the last one. It’s impossible to have a blacksmith or receive new quests from villagers every day. Additionally, Henry and Albich’s entry into the monastery coincides with the outbreak of an unidentified disease, and the situation spirals out of control.

In fact, for fans who have enjoyed the “Kingdom Come”series since the previous installment, the term “Monastery Quest” alone is likely to evoke special emotions. This is due to the “Needle in a Haystack” quest at the Sasau Monastery in the previous installment, which forced players to experience the regular life of a monk every hour and left many players shocked in various ways.

However, you don't have to worry about that in “Mysteria Ecclesiae.” This time, you're not sneaking into the monastery disguised as a monk, but rather as a doctor's escort and assistant, so you can roam the monastery more freely and find the source of the illness.

However, as the quest progresses, more and more patients begin to fill the ward, and Jan III, the abbot who still remembers the horrors of the Black Death, ultimately decides to quarantine the entire SedlecSedletz Monastery. As a result, all areas except the ward become restricted zones, and the remaining quest lines require stealth as a corebasic requirement. Players who do not enjoy stealth gameplay may find this DLC less appealing.

▲ What begins as a seemingly cheerful medieval folk remedy quickly turns…

▲ The growing number of deaths underscores the gravity of the incident

“Mysteria Ecclesiae” is a DLC that highlights investigation and deduction. While the combat aspect is drastically reduced, there is a strong emphasis on the process of uncovering the truth of the incident. You can experience the story of gradually revealing the mystery hidden behind the mass outbreak by sneaking through the nooks and crannies of the monastery while evading the eyes of the guards patrolling the corridors.

Like the original, Henry can meet various people, listen to their stories, and engage in conversations based on choices to uncover the clues of the case. However, the statement that "a certain level of nurturing is needed" refers specifically to this point. Since the stats required for conversation choices are quite high, it seems very difficult to have meaningful conversations if you enter Sedlec early on.

The extreme reduction in combat and the very high emphasis on stealth gameplay are also points where player preferences may diverge. In a situation where all Equipment is lost, if criminal activity is discovered within the monastery, the “expulsion” (game over) rule significantly restricts the player’s options. There are about four or five combat sequences until the DLC is completed, but the available weapons are weak, making combat (relatively) more difficult than in the previous installment.

▲ So you don't know who I am because I've only been in the monastery?

▲ Spending most of the time sneaking around is likely to divide opinions

The Story Delivers, but the Final DLC Feels Lacking in Many Ways

The story of uncovering the secrets of the isolated monastery is just as exciting as the original, but “Mysteria Ecclesiae” is a DLC that leaves much to be desired in various aspects. The main points of disappointment include the complete absence of new mechanics, the fact that the protagonist Henry has little significance beyond serving as Albich's assistant, and the nearly impossible nature of the much-anticipated “conversation of power” that fans were hoping for.

If you've purchased the edition that includes all DLC, you might not notice the merit of “Mysteria Ecclesiae”. However, those who need to buy the individual DLCs are likely to feel that there is little incentive to revisit the Sedlec Monastery after their initial visit, especially since there are no unique weapons that can only be obtained through this DLC.

Of course, you can obtain the unique One-Hand Sword of the Ancient Knight in this DLC, but its performance is not as good as that of the weapons that appeared in the previous DLC, making it significantly less worthwhile to obtain.

▲ If deliberately broken and crafted in a forge, it becomes a unique weapon, but its performance is not particularly good

If you're a player who prioritizes story over high-performance weapons, or if you're a player eager to experience the true final journey of “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II,” I recommend trying “Mysteria Ecclesiae” at least once. The story, which maintains tension until the very end, actually features two branching endings, so it's essential to carefully consider your choices in each conversation.

In any case, with this DLC, the journey of “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II,”which brought joy to many players this year, has officially come to an end. Although the final DLC was somewhat disappointing from the perspective of someone who had greatly enjoyed it since its launch, it is truly time to let it go. I look forward to the new project from Warhorse Studios, hoping that it will return to us someday.

This article was translated from the original that appeared on INVEN.