8.5 /10 23

Chivalry 2 revives the indie hack-and-slash multiplayer formula through a $40 AAA lens. Released June 8, 2021, Torn Banner Studios partnered with Tripwire Interactive to deliver massive 64-player medieval warfare across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. The game earned critical acclaim for its weighty melee combat system, stunning visual presentation, and successful cross-platform implementation. While user reviews reveal concerns about balance and community toxicity, professional critics universally praised the combat mechanics as industry-leading for medieval multiplayer experiences. The game sold hundreds of thousands of copies and maintains an active competitive scene despite six years post-launch.

How to Play Chivalry 2

Chivalry 2 emphasizes positioning, weapon choice, and team coordination across large battlefields. Combat relies on directional attacks—overhead strikes, side slashes, and thrusts—parried and countered through well-timed blocks. Players select from four class types (Knight, Archer, Vanguard, Footman) customized into twelve subclasses, each excelling in distinct roles. Team Objective maps require attackers to capture points while defenders fortify positions across multi-stage maps featuring castles, forests, and historical siege scenarios.

1. Controls – Directional input determines attack direction; mouse/controller movement feels responsive; learning three-hit combos takes 10-15 minutes
2. Progression – Level up across all classes simultaneously; unlock cosmetics via Ranked matches or cosmetic purchases; battlepass unavailable (cosmetics only)
3. Combat/Mechanics – Engage in 1v1 duels within 64-player chaos; environmental kills reward positioning; horseback combat adds mobility advantage
4. Tips – Stick with teammates; backstabs deal increased damage; high ground matters; learn weapon timings before advancing difficulty

Who Should Play Chivalry 2

Chivalry 2 attracts multiplayer veterans seeking large-scale medieval combat with minimal grind friction. The absence of battle pass mechanics removes time-gating concerns; cosmetics unlock through natural gameplay. However, the smaller player pool and occasional matchmaking delays deter casual players seeking instant queue times. Community toxicity remains an unresolved concern flagged across user reviews.

• Melee combat enthusiasts – The combat system rivals action RPGs in directional depth; sword swing animations rival cinematic quality
• Large-scale battle fans – 64-player team objective matches deliver epic scale unmatched by smaller arena games
• Cross-platform players – PC and console players compete seamlessly without performance disparities affecting balance
• Skip if – Prefer smaller, faster matches; demand frequent cosmetic cosmetics; avoid ranged-primary gameplay; intolerant of community behavior issues

Chivalry 2 Platform Performance

Chivalry 2 scales effectively across hardware tiers, maintaining 60fps on all platforms through dynamic resolution techniques. PS5 and Xbox Series X achieve near-4K reconstruction with temporal upsampling when native 4K targets prove infeasible due to CPU bottlenecks. Frame Rate Mode sacrifices resolution for stability-focused players. Xbox Series S receives optimization through 1080p Quality Mode, ensuring handheld players experience no disadvantage in competitive scenarios.

Chivalry 2 System Requirements

PC specifications reflect 2021-era expectations scaled for 64-player servers. Minimum hardware delivers playable 720p at 60fps on budget setups from 2013. Recommended configurations target 1080p High settings at stable 60fps, achievable with $800-1000 builds. The 35GB installation size demands moderate storage space; SSD installation strongly recommended to avoid 120+ second map load times on mechanical drives, a critical factor in competitive queue situations.

Similar Games to Chivalry 2

The medieval multiplayer niche remains relatively sparse. Competitors emphasize different mechanical philosophies—some prioritize realism, others favor fantasy spectacle. Each alternative approaches large-scale battles through distinct design lenses, attracting distinct player psychographics. Chivalry 2’s emphasis on melee-primary gameplay distinguishes it from mixed-combat alternatives.

• Mordhau – Similar directional melee combat with deeper duel mechanics; smaller 64-player servers, less graphical polish
• For Honor – Fighting game-inspired melee system; smaller team sizes (4v4), esports focus, premium cosmetics monetization
• Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord – Large-scale medieval warfare with cavalry emphasis; single-player sandbox focus, mod-driven community
• Blade Symphony – Melee-exclusive duel-focused multiplayer; smaller community, emphasis on 1v1 skill expression

Chivalry 2 vs Competitors

Chivalry 2 occupies a distinct market position emphasizing scale, accessibility, and cinematic presentation over hardcore duel mechanics. Compared to Mordhau’s esports ambitions or For Honor’s fighting game complexity, Chivalry prioritizes chaotic large-scale battles accessible to newcomers. Pricing strategies differ significantly: Chivalry maintains cosmetic-only monetization while Mordhau offers cosmetics. Metacritic scores position Chivalry as a critical darling despite user sentiment divergence.

Chivalry 2 Story and World

Chivalry 2 abandons traditional narrative in favor of ambient world-building through location design. The conflict frames Agathian Knights versus Mason Order as warring factions across iconic medieval scenarios: castle sieges recall historical fortifications, forest ambushes evoke Dark Ages ambiguity, and port raids suggest naval warfare complexity. Character voice lines hint at deeper lore—soldiers shout period-appropriate battle cries and taunts—yet story remains intentionally minimal. Cinematic trailers preview seasonal cosmetics through thematic cinematics; seasonal events introduce limited-time map variations. The tone celebrates action spectacle and dark humor through ragdoll physics and chaotic scale, prioritizing entertainment over narrative cohesion.

Chivalry 2 Multiplayer and Online

The multiplayer architecture emphasizes team play across diverse objective types. Cross-platform matchmaking enables PC, PlayStation, and Xbox players to queue together with zero performance-based advantages. Server browser functionality allows private matches, community tournaments, and clan scrimmages. Ranked modes remain absent; instead, cosmetic progression through gameplay encourages long-term engagement without competitive tier pressure. Seasonal content introduces limited cosmetics every 8-12 weeks, creating rotation-based engagement without battlepasses.

• Team Objective (64-player) – Attackers progress through multi-stage map captures while defenders fortify; most popular mode supporting horses and siege equipment
• Team Deathmatch (64-player) – Simplified large-scale combat without objectives; emphasis on pure melee skill in chaotic 32v32 scenarios
• Arena (12-player) – Smaller team battles; 5-round format emphasizes teamwork and positioning in arena environments
• Cross-Play – Seamless PC/PlayStation/Xbox matchmaking without performance-based separation; all platforms share identical competitive ruleset

Chivalry 2 DLC and Expansions

Chivalry 2 maintains a cosmetics-only monetization philosophy with no gameplay-affecting purchases. Post-launch support includes quarterly cosmetic bundles themed around seasonal events or historical references. Armor variations, weapon skins, and character voice packs unlock through in-game currency or direct purchase. The battle pass model remains absent; all cosmetics unlock through direct purchase or gameplay-earned currency, eliminating time-gating mechanics entirely.

• Cosmetic Bundles ($4.99-$19.99) – Seasonal character armor sets, weapon skins, and voice effects released every 8-12 weeks
• Individual Cosmetics ($1.99-$9.99) – Stand-alone weapon skins, emotes, and armor pieces purchasable à la carte
• Free Content – New maps, game modes, and balance patches deploy continuously without paywall separation
• No Battle Pass – Cosmetics unlock through direct purchase; no progression-locked cosmetic tiers

Chivalry 2 Community and Support

The community operates through official forums, Reddit communities, and Discord servers. Developers maintain regular communication through patch notes and community Q&A sessions. The official Chivalry 2 subreddit (r/Chivalry2) hosts strategy discussions, tournament announcements, and player feedback channels. Community servers enable custom game creation, facilitating scrimmages and community-run tournaments. Moderation remains an active concern; player reports of toxic behavior span multiple platforms, though developer responses to severe violations remain inconsistent. Content creation drives engagement through YouTube guides and Twitch streams showcasing large-scale battles and duel highlights.

• Official Forums – Developer responses on balance feedback, technical issues, and cosmetic announcements; patch notes published 48 hours before deployment
• Reddit/Discord Communities – r/Chivalry2 (50K+) hosts competitive discussion; official Discord segments servers by region and language
• Server Browser – Community servers support custom rules, enabling player-run tournaments and modded experiences
• Updates – Quarterly patches guarantee balance adjustments and cosmetic releases; seasonal events introduce limited cosmetics every 8-12 weeks