Joanna Novak, historical consultant for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, offers fascinating insights into her work on both games, revealing the delicate balance between historical accuracy and engaging gameplay. She emphasizes that the narrative, focusing on protagonist Henry, significantly deviates from the realities of a 15th-century blacksmith's son's life.
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Novak candidly assesses the plot's historical accuracy as a "1 out of 10," explaining that the narrative prioritizes a compelling, "rags-to-riches" story—a classic archetype appealing to players—over strict historical fidelity. The game’s focus on heroic exploits and interactions with historical figures naturally sacrifices the mundane realities of peasant life.
In crafting the world of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Warhorse Studios strived for authenticity. However, limitations in time, budget, and the need to maintain engaging gameplay resulted in compromises. Certain elements were adjusted to meet modern player expectations, ensuring historical accuracy didn't overshadow enjoyment.
While acknowledging these compromises, Novak expresses satisfaction with the numerous period-accurate details incorporated into the game. She cautions, however, against labeling the game as entirely realistic or historically accurate, providing a nuanced perspective on the development process.
