Kingdom Come Deliverance 2's Historical Consultant Rates the Game's Storyline as \"1 Out of 10\" for Realism

Joanna Novak, historical consultant for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, offers fascinating insights into her work on both games, revealing the inherent challenges and compromises in blending historical accuracy with engaging gameplay. She emphasizes the significant divergence between the game's narrative—focused on protagonist Henry—and the lived reality of a 15th-century blacksmith's son.

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Novak candidly rates the plot's historical accuracy a "1 out of 10," explaining that the narrative prioritizes the archetypal "rags-to-riches" hero's journey, complete with interactions with historical figures and grand achievements—a far cry from the often mundane realities of peasant life. This deliberate choice caters to player expectations for engaging storytelling, even if it sacrifices strict historical fidelity.

In crafting the world of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Warhorse Studios strived for authenticity, but acknowledges limitations imposed by time, budget, and gameplay considerations. Certain concessions were made to align with modern player expectations, ensuring historical accuracy didn't overshadow the overall gaming experience.

While acknowledging these compromises, Novak expresses satisfaction with the numerous period-accurate details incorporated into the game. However, she cautions against characterizing the game as entirely realistic or historically accurate, offering a balanced perspective on the creative choices made in its development.