Stealth games usually emphasize avoiding detection, but Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 takes things up a notch. The game introduces a realistic body odour mechanic that allows NPCs to smell the player when they are dirty enough, thus affecting stealth gameplay.

This innovative feature, as explained by Ondřej Bittner from Warhorse Studios, enhances the medieval RPG experience. Players can accumulate dirt, leading to a smelly debuff that alerts NPCs. “If you get the debuff that, you know, your body odour, you smell. There’s like a circle around you, basically broadcasting, like, ‘I’m here,’” said Bittner.

Players must be mindful of their appearance, as dirty clothing can diminish charisma and lead to negative interactions with NPCs. Interestingly, the gameplay encourages players to deliberately smear themselves with dirt to use it strategically, making them less visible if they get filthy enough, but they must be cautious as scent can attract unwanted attention.

While this feature is fresh for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, it follows in the footsteps of other games like Shadows of Doubt, which also involved hygiene for stealth mechanics.

Image Credit: Warhorse Studios
(Image credit: Warhorse Studios)