Deliverance 2 Antagonist Deserves the Same Notoriety as RDR2’s Micah

This article contains significant spoilers for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Red Dead Redemption 2.

In the realm of gaming, there’s never a shortage of captivating villains, with some being memorable because of their sympathy-invoking backstories, while others stand out due to the sheer hatred they inspire. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 cleverly combines both approaches. Within its narrative, one particular character stands as especially reviled, drawing strong parallels to the notorious Micah Bell from Red Dead Redemption 2.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 frequently challenges players with moral dilemmas, such as deciding whether to avenge an adversary through death or to offer them the gift of forgiveness. While figures like Istvan Toth and Markvart von Aulitz are heinous, their intentions are at least transparent from the start, making their brand of villainy somewhat digestible. However, Vauquelin Brabant’s treachery feels more appalling as it emerges from a place of pure selfishness rather than any broader ideological motivation, starkly reminiscent of Micah from Red Dead Redemption 2.

Micah Bell stands as a prime example of gaming’s most despised villains. In Red Dead Redemption 2, players become familiar with his deceitful nature, steadily revealing itself as the storyline progresses. Though initially a comrade to the Van Der Linde Gang, warning signs are present from the get-go. Micah’s shady past and dubious actions, such as the Strawberry Massacre, serve as precursors to his role as a Pinkerton informant, trading his allies’ safety for personal gain.

Betrayers naturally draw contempt, particularly those who abandon their companions for self-enrichment. Micah, though, takes betrayal to new heights, skillfully manipulating Dutch’s suspicions to create a rift with Arthur. His eventual aim? To abscond with the Blackwater loot. The conclusion of RDR2’s epilogue provides one of the game’s most gratifying moments, as players, wielding the role of John Marston, finally bring justice to Micah.

In a similar narrative arc, Vauquelin Brabant of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 mirrors Micah’s treachery. Initially encountered as a captive along with Hans Capon, Brabant is portrayed as an ally—having bravely defended Kuttenberg before his capture. Yet, his true colors emerge when he attempts a hasty escape with stolen silver, killing Adder in the process. Despite his noble claims, a cursory glance into Brabant’s history reveals a con artist masquerading as nobility, ready to deceive anyone to further his own agenda.

The ultimate betrayal comes when Brabant commands the Prague troops against Suchdol castle. His decision to torture Samuel during the Reckoning mission adds a poignant blow, cementing him as a villain deserving of the player’s retribution during the Praguer camp showdown. Sparing Brabant leads to immediate denunciation, reinforcing his self-preservation at any cost.

In video games, it’s rare to encounter villains whose nastiness lacks any redemptive motivation. Both Micah Bell and Vauquelin Brabant epitomize the archetype of self-serving traitors, willing to champion their interests above all else. Given the collective disdain Micah garnered following Red Dead Redemption 2’s release, it’s only fitting that Brabant ascends to similar notoriety with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s launch.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is an exhilarating Action RPG set in a war-torn 15th Century Bohemia, with players stepping into the shoes of Henry of Skalitz. Join a gripping adventure of betrayal, revenge, and discovery, unfolding from bustling streets to verdant forests, against a vivid medieval backdrop.

Meanwhile, in the wild world of Red Dead Redemption 2, the Van Der Linde Gang, led by Arthur Morgan, must navigate a perilous path across America, all while grappling with threats from within and without, in an era where outlaws are a dying breed.