"Kingdom Come Deliverance 2's Storyline Gets 1/10 for Realism, Says Historical Consultant"

Joanna Novak, the historical consultant for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, recently shared her experiences working on both installments of the series, delving into the challenges and compromises she faced during the process. She pointed out that the game's narrative, which revolves around the protagonist Hendrich, takes significant creative liberties compared to what life would have been like for a blacksmith's son in that era.

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Novak emphasized that the storyline leans heavily into the realm of legend and folklore, rather than adhering strictly to historical facts. She rates the plot's realism at a mere "1 out of 10," recognizing the developers' strategic choices to cater to player preferences. Audiences are captivated by the classic rags-to-riches tale where the protagonist ascends through societal ranks, mingles with historical figures, and ultimately achieves greatness—rather than depicting the everyday struggles of a peasant's life.

In terms of world-building and environmental design, Warhorse Studios strived for authenticity in Kingdom Come: Deliverance. However, Novak notes that the team had to make concessions due to time, budget limitations, and the need to maintain engaging gameplay. Some historical accuracies were adjusted to meet modern player expectations, ensuring that the game remained enjoyable without being bogged down by overly realistic elements.

Despite these compromises, Novak expresses satisfaction with the incorporation of numerous period-specific details. Yet, she cautions against labeling the game as entirely realistic or historically accurate, as such a description would be misleading.