Joanna Novak, historical consultant for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, recently offered valuable insights into her contributions to both games in the series. She discussed the inherent challenges and necessary compromises between historical accuracy and engaging gameplay.
Novak emphasized that the game's narrative, focusing on protagonist Henry, significantly deviates from the actual experiences of a 15th-century blacksmith's son. The storyline, she explained, prioritizes elements of legend and folklore over strict historical fidelity. She assigned the plot a "1 out of 10" realism rating, acknowledging the deliberate creative choices made by the developers. The appeal of a "rags-to-riches" narrative, featuring heroic exploits and interactions with historical figures, outweighs the less exciting reality of peasant life, thus shaping the game's direction.
Image: steamcommunity.com
Regarding world-building and environmental details in Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Warhorse Studios strived for authenticity but faced limitations due to time constraints, budgetary restrictions, and the demands of gameplay mechanics. Certain concessions were made to meet modern player expectations, ensuring historical accuracy didn't compromise the overall player experience.
While acknowledging these compromises, Novak expressed satisfaction with the numerous period-accurate details incorporated into the game. However, she cautioned against labeling the game as entirely realistic or historically accurate, emphasizing the creative liberties taken for narrative impact and player engagement.
