Joanna Novak, historical consultant for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, offers valuable insights into her contributions to both games, highlighting the inherent challenges and necessary compromises.
Novak emphasizes the significant divergence between the game's narrative—focused on protagonist Henry—and the actual lived experiences of a 15th-century blacksmith's son. The storyline, she explains, prioritizes legendary elements and folklore over strict historical accuracy. She assigns the plot a "1 out of 10" realism rating, acknowledging the deliberate choices made by the developers. The appeal of a "rags-to-riches" narrative, featuring heroic ascents, interactions with historical figures, and grand achievements, outweighs the less exciting reality of peasant life, thus driving the narrative direction.
Image: steamcommunity.com
In crafting the game world, Warhorse Studios strived for authenticity in Kingdom Come: Deliverance, though limitations in time, budget, and gameplay mechanics prevented complete historical fidelity. Certain adjustments were made to cater to modern player expectations, ensuring historical accuracy didn't compromise the overall gaming experience.
Despite these concessions, Novak expresses satisfaction with the numerous period-accurate details incorporated into the game. However, she cautions against characterizing the game as entirely realistic or historically accurate, as such a claim would be inaccurate.
