Heads up, major spoilers for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are ahead.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 takes us on a thrilling journey filled with unforgettable characters, both friends and foes, with standout moments thanks to exceptional writing. The storyline is packed with twists, and it’s evident early on that not all questions will find answers by the finale. This leaves room for a compelling sequel, with one intriguing villain possibly poised to become the central figure in an upcoming chapter.
The sequel finally serves justice to Istvan Toth and Markvart von Aulitz, two key adversaries from the original game. Yet, the fate of some other antagonists remains unresolved. For instance, Otto von Bergow manages to flee during the siege of Suchdol, leaving a significant villain unpunished. More intriguingly, Erik, a commander loyal to Toth and von Aulitz, remains a loose thread, ending the game with some unresolved business and a score to settle.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 holds promise for a threequel, especially with Erik as a potential narrative linchpin. As a character, Erik has evolved significantly from the previous installment, his backstory rooted deeply in betrayal and revenge. Originally, Toth killed Erik’s family and subsequently took him under his wing, mentoring him into an adept swordsman. Over time, Erik climbed the ranks to become a commander, frequently clashing with the allies of Wenceslas.
Erik and Henry share a common past, both having lost their parents to Toth’s forces. Nevertheless, their responses diverged sharply: Henry sought retribution and justice, while Erik, paradoxically, aligned with the man responsible for his family’s demise. After Henry delivers justice to Toth in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Erik embarks on his personal vendetta against Henry for killing the mentor he grew to idolize.
Should there’s another sequel to the saga, Erik is likely to be a formidable adversary in Henry’s path. A fascinating twist in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 allows players an optional encounter with Erik post-Sigismund’s retreat from Bohemia. Here, players can choose to engage in a duel with him; however, the game cleverly leaves the outcome ambiguous. Even a defeated Erik taunts Henry to take his life, until the battle is interrupted by the arrival of Markvart von Aulitz and his forces.
Regardless of whether players choose to face Erik or not, it’s apparent he’s left alive, potentially setting the stage for a continued quest for vengeance in a potential sequel. When last seen, Erik is injured but still breathing as Henry rides off to alert the castle about the looming attack. This unresolved conflict seems primed for the next installment, and it aligns well with the franchise’s exploration of revenge’s moral complexities. Erik could very well assume the role of a significant antagonist in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 3, serving as a mirror for Henry, reflecting the cost of warfare and the endless cycle of vengeance.
