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

Joanna Novak, the historical consultant for *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2*, provided a deep dive into her contributions to both games in the series, shedding light on the intricacies and trade-offs inherent in their development. She emphasized that the storyline, which revolves around the protagonist Hendrich, diverges significantly from the probable life experiences of a blacksmith's son in that historical period.

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Novak pointed out that the narrative is more aligned with legends and folklore than with historical facts. She gives the plot a mere "1 out of 10 on the realism scale," explaining the rationale behind the developers' creative decisions. It appears that gamers are more captivated by epic tales of rags-to-riches, where the protagonist ascends socially, engages with historical icons, and accomplishes remarkable feats, rather than being immersed in the everyday struggles of a peasant's life.

Regarding the world-building and setting in *Kingdom Come: Deliverance*, Warhorse Studios strived for authenticity but acknowledged that achieving perfection was unfeasible due to limitations in time, budget, and the need to cater to gameplay dynamics. Certain modifications were necessary to meet the expectations of contemporary players, ensuring that historical fidelity did not compromise the gaming experience.

Despite these adjustments, Novak expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of numerous historically accurate elements within the game. However, she cautions against labeling the game as realistic or historically accurate, as this could set misleading expectations for players.