Kingdom Come: Deliverance – From the Ashes

Very different content than what the rest of the game and dlcs have to offer, and I quite like it for that. It swaps most of the combat and story-impacting decision making for a mini city building experience. Granted its not the most fleshed out, but I for one really enjoyed the opportunity to see what was essentially a pile of rubble turn into a city that I had a decent amount of say over, especially when it comes to more of the bailiff-specific tasks. I found it to be a nice change of pace from what I had been used to for roughly 50 hours before I was able to start this dlc, and when it finally wrapped up there was a nice sense of accomplishment. Might not be what everyone wants from this game, but I think its worth giving it a shot!

I'd like to thank the Rattay armoursmith for donating 17k groschen towards the rebuilding of Pribyslavitz. He doesn't yet know that he "donated", but we'll name the new stables after him, so I'm sure he'll be pleased

Reviewing (mostly) every game (or DLC) in my library, part 187: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (8/10) [i]From the Ashes [/i]is a surprisingly thoughtful and immersive settlement management DLC that fits seamlessly into [i]Kingdom Come: Deliverance’s[/i] grounded world. Rather than turning Henry into a medieval tycoon, it offers a humble, character-driven system that lets you rebuild a devastated village and shape its future—brick by brick, one ledger at a time. 🏘️ [b] Pros:[/b] [list] [*] Town-building with weight and meaning. Constructing your own town isn’t just about plopping down buildings—it's about choices. Do you build the stables or the guardhouse? The tavern or the bakery? Resources are limited, and every decision has long-term consequences. These trade-offs add depth and roleplaying value to the process, making it feel more like stewardship than casual empire-building. [*] Fits thematically into Henry’s journey. From a blacksmith’s son to a bailiff of his own village, Henry’s rise feels believable and earned. Becoming a leader—and making the tough calls that come with it—feels like a natural evolution of his story. It reinforces the game’s themes of class, responsibility, and legacy. [*] Economic and moral decisions matter. The DLC gives you a surprising amount of administrative control. You’re managing finances, resolving disputes, selecting workers, and deciding how lenient (or harsh) to be with justice. It’s not just window dressing—these choices subtly shape how your village operates and how others respond to it. [*] A home base you can be proud of. As your village grows, you’ll begin to see bustling activity: merchants setting up, guards patrolling, workers building, and residents going about their daily lives. It gives you a reason to return beyond questing—a place that feels personal and lived-in. [/list] 🏚️[b] Cons:[/b] [list] [*] Limited customization. While you do get to choose between certain buildings, you’re still largely following a fixed upgrade path. You can’t adjust layouts, aesthetics, or building placement. Don’t expect full creative control—it’s more management sim than city builder. [*] Slow and resource-dependent. Building up resoures to build a settlement requires a lot of money and materials. That’s fair for realism, but it can slow down your progress unless you’ve already advanced far in the main story. For players still in the early- to mid-game, it may feel more like a long grind than an enjoyable side activity. [*] Minimal long-term interaction. Once your village is fully built, there’s little reason to stay. There aren’t any evolving events, new characters, or deeper political systems to manage. It becomes more of a trophy than an ongoing system. For players hoping for dynamic progression or deeper mechanics, it might feel shallow over time. [*] Some bugs and awkward pacing. Depending on your choices, certain parts of the DLC (like recruiting NPCs or earning enough income to sustain buildings) can feel a bit clunky or unclear. While nothing game-breaking, the systems don’t always communicate perfectly. [/list]