"Kingdom Come Deliverance 2's Historical Accuracy Rated 1/10 by Consultant"

Joanna Novak, the historical consultant for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, recently provided an in-depth look into her contributions to both games in the series. She discussed the intricate balance between historical authenticity and the need for engaging gameplay, highlighting the challenges and compromises that arose during development.

Novak pointed out that the narrative of the game, which follows the journey of protagonist Hendrich, diverges significantly from the likely experiences of a blacksmith's son in that historical period. She emphasized that the storyline leans heavily into the realm of legend and folklore, rather than adhering strictly to historical facts. In fact, she rated the plot's realism as "1 out of 10 on the realism scale." This creative decision, she explained, stems from the developers' aim to craft a compelling rags-to-riches tale. Such stories, where a hero ascends through societal ranks, mingles with historical figures, and ultimately achieves greatness, are far more appealing to players than the routine life of a peasant.

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When it comes to the world-building and environment in Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Warhorse Studios strove for authenticity but faced limitations due to time, budget constraints, and the necessity to cater to modern player expectations. Some historical accuracies were adjusted to ensure that the gameplay remained enjoyable and didn't become overly cumbersome for the audience.

Despite these compromises, Novak expressed satisfaction with the incorporation of numerous period-appropriate details into the game. However, she cautioned against labeling Kingdom Come: Deliverance as a realistic or historically accurate representation. Such a description, she believes, would be misleading given the narrative and gameplay concessions made to enhance player engagement.