Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 isn’t historically accurate – it’s something better

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Apart from its captivating open-world gameplay and peculiar storylines, have you heard that Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is acclaimed for its meticulous attention to historical detail? You’d be hard-pressed not to, given how much everyone has been discussing it lately. After all, as a role-playing game set in 1403, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 eschews fantasy elements like elves, goblins, and dragons in favor of portraying ordinary people such as peasants, knights, and even tipsy priests.

Although much discussion suggests that the game Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is historically accurate, upon closer examination, one can find numerous historical inaccuracies. While it’s reasonable to expect certain deviations from reality in games due to elements like world size, absence of bathroom breaks, and an overly capable protagonist’s carrying capacity, there are aspects that could have been more realistic. However, the question arises: why aren’t these features implemented, and perhaps more importantly, does it really matter?

Instead of focusing on the historical accuracy versus authenticity in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, prepare yourself for an extensive analysis that may involve considerable detail and scrutiny.

The power of sauerkraut

In Kingdom Come, one element that seems implausible is Henry’s seemingly instant healing. A fractured foot? A good night’s sleep solves it. A wound from a sword? A simple bandage does the trick. Even feeling unwell can be remedied by eating sauerkraut! It would make for a more authentic experience if Henry endured his injuries for longer durations, but considering the inconvenience of limping throughout the game, such a design choice might not have been ideal.

In the equipment system, there’s a parallel problem. Somehow, Henry can put on plate armor, something a real person couldn’t actually do. The game might consider adding a feature where he has to seek help from an NPC… However, that seems a bit tedious, doesn’t it? It appears more practical to prioritize playability over accuracy in both instances.

However, if enjoyment is not a priority, one might argue that some of Kingdom Come’s weapons and armor sets don’t perfectly align with the 1403 timeline – for instance, hunting swords, which were not common until the 17th century. The developers at Warhorse seem to have prioritized entertainment over historical accuracy in this instance, much like they did with Sir Radzig’s pirate-esque outfit in the first game. This is where we tread a potentially contentious path.

The artistic liberties taken in historical games for playability are often overlooked, but when it comes to fun, opinions vary. What one player finds appealing, another might find absurd. Whether altering history enhances gameplay enjoyment is a question best answered by the individual – a historian might disapprove of an armor set no longer in vogue centuries ago. However, I’d boldly argue that Warhorse made a wise choice for most players, as they generally appreciate a visually stunning design as long as it maintains a medieval aesthetic.

Fact vs. fiction

It’s important to avoid presenting historical events incorrectly as fact, such as Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 does with its timeline and character details. For instance, the siege of Suchdol in the game occurs in 1402 instead of 1403, and one of the antagonists is portrayed participating in events he actually didn’t witness because he had already passed away at that time. The game also features a quest involving an orange carrot, which were not available during the Middle Ages. More significantly, the game depicts the legendary general Jan Žižka losing his eye, but historical records suggest this event occurred during his childhood or adolescence, well before the year 1403.

Although these points may seem minor, they raise an important question: Is it acceptable to pass off fiction as fact? From an academic perspective, I’d argue that the answer is affirmative for several reasons. For one, Kingdom Come isn’t designed to teach history, and secondly, the benefits of such narrative choices often outweigh any potential drawbacks.

1. If the portrayal of the Siege of Suchdol hadn’t been depicted in an incorrect year, we wouldn’t have learned about it at all.

2. We would barely recall Jan Žižka if not for his eye troubles being dramatized so vividly on screen.

3. To be fair to your former history teacher, but by incorporating accurate historical facts and adapting them to suit the game, Warhorse Studios is arguably providing a more effective education than many textbooks have done.

All about authenticity

In another perspective, despite the numerous factors that could justify Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s seemingly unrealistic aspects, I found myself perplexed. If the game isn’t as historically precise as we assumed, why does it seem so authentic? Then, it struck me: when praising its accuracy, we’re actually admiring Kingdom Come’s authenticity. The scenery, overarching storyline, and structures are largely accurate, so the smaller details don’t always need to be spot-on. Weapons and armor may not be perfectly correct, but they must be correct sufficiently, allowing us to think “yes, that looks medieval”. For me, the only detail that briefly disrupted the medieval atmosphere was the orange carrot – quite impressive for a game of such length!

In contrast to the initial game, a notable enhancement in realism can be seen in the crime system. Previously, bloodthirsty Henry could simply bribe guards for his violent acts, but now he faces severe consequences such as caning, branding, or even execution. Although the penalties may not perfectly mirror those of the Middle Ages, they are intended to be harsh, and this added severity lends an air of authenticity. Similarly, Warhorse opted not to permanently disable Henry, but players must still make an effort to heal him, which adds to that sense of realism. It’s the focus on historical authenticity over historical accuracy that truly sets Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 apart.

In other words, while Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 does a commendable job in many aspects, there’s one area that could use enhancement – the representation of diversity among Non-Player Characters (NPCs). The game’s world appears to lack individuals afflicted by diseases, scars, or malnourishment, which seems unrealistic for a medieval setting. Although it’s true that medieval people paid attention to their dental hygiene, they certainly didn’t have access to modern orthodontics, resulting in less-than-perfect smiles.

In other words, the game Kingdom Come is so historically accurate that even small details like lacking modern children in the town go unnoticed, making it feel as if you’ve stepped into a real-life medieval setting, almost like a time machine. If Warhorse Studios were to add some child characters in Kuttenberg next time, it wouldn’t make Henry’s world actually travel through time, but it would certainly enhance the immersive feeling of being there.

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2025-02-27 16:10