Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: Historian Slams Story's 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 involved in blending historical accuracy with engaging gameplay. She emphasizes that the narrative, following protagonist Henry, significantly deviates from the lived experiences of a real-life blacksmith's son in 15th-century Bohemia.

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Novak candidly rates the plot's historical accuracy a mere "1 out of 10," acknowledging the deliberate artistic choices made by the developers. She explains that players are inherently drawn to classic "rags-to-riches" narratives, where the hero overcomes adversity, interacts with significant historical figures, and achieves extraordinary feats—a far cry from the often mundane reality of peasant life.

In crafting the world of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Warhorse Studios strived for authenticity, but ultimately compromised due to limitations in time, budget, and the need to create a compelling player experience. Certain adjustments were made to meet modern player expectations, ensuring historical accuracy didn't overshadow enjoyment.

Despite these compromises, Novak expresses satisfaction with the numerous period-accurate details incorporated into the game. However, she strongly cautions against characterizing the game as entirely realistic or historically accurate, a claim she believes would be misleading.