Joanna Novak, the historical consultant for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, provided a deep dive into her role across both installments of the acclaimed series, shedding light on the intricacies and compromises that come with blending history with gaming.
She pointed out that the narrative, which follows the journey of protagonist Hendrich, diverges significantly from what might have been the actual experience of a blacksmith's son in that historical period.
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Novak explains that the storyline leans heavily into the realm of legend and folklore rather than sticking to historical facts. She gives the plot a realism score of "1 out of 10," understanding the motivations behind the developers' narrative choices. Gamers are often captivated by epic tales of heroes rising from humble beginnings to interact with historical figures and achieve monumental feats, rather than the more ordinary life of a peasant.
In terms of world-building and environment, Warhorse Studios made a concerted effort to capture authenticity in Kingdom Come: Deliverance. However, Novak notes that they couldn't achieve perfection due to limitations in time, budget, and the necessity to cater to modern gameplay preferences. Some historical accuracies were adjusted to ensure that the game remained enjoyable for players.
Despite these compromises, Novak is satisfied with the inclusion of numerous details that are true to the period. Yet, she cautions against labeling the game as "realistic" or "historically accurate," as such descriptions could be misleading to players expecting a true-to-life depiction of the era.
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