Joanna Novak, historical consultant for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, offers fascinating insights into her work on both games, revealing the intricate balance between historical accuracy and engaging gameplay. She points out a significant divergence between the game's narrative—focused on protagonist Henry—and the likely reality 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 the classic "rags-to-riches" archetype—a compelling hero's journey filled with adventure and interaction with historical figures—over a potentially less engaging portrayal of everyday peasant life. This deliberate choice caters to player expectations for a captivating story.
In crafting the world of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Warhorse Studios strived for authenticity. However, limitations in time, budget, and the need to create a fun and playable experience resulted in compromises. Certain adjustments were made to enhance player enjoyment without sacrificing the overall historical feel.
While acknowledging these compromises, Novak expresses satisfaction with the numerous period-accurate details incorporated into the game. She emphasizes, however, the importance of avoiding misleading claims of complete realism or historical accuracy.
