Kingdom Come: Deliverance – Separating Fact from Fiction in Bohemia
Kingdom Come: Deliverance (KCD) is a landmark achievement in video game history, lauded for its immersive gameplay and its ambition to portray 15th-century Bohemia with unprecedented realism. However, while it strives for authenticity, how much of the game is truly true? The answer is complex: KCD achieves remarkable accuracy in its depiction of daily life, combat, clothing, and geographical locations, but it also takes liberties with historical narratives, character portrayals, and societal complexities. The game paints a vibrant picture of a specific time and place, but it’s essential to remember that it’s a carefully constructed narrative, not a perfect historical simulation. KCD is a game first, and historical documentation second.
The Impressive Accuracy of Kingdom Come: Deliverance
A Detailed World Rooted in Reality
One of KCD’s greatest strengths is its meticulously recreated world. Rattay, Skalitz, Talmberg, and other locations are based on real places in the Czech Republic, painstakingly researched and rendered with incredible detail. The game’s developers consulted historical maps and records to ensure accurate layouts of towns, castles, and the surrounding countryside. Even the placement of forests and fields reflects the landscape of the time.
Daily Life and Social Customs
KCD shines in its depiction of daily life. The routines of villagers, the tasks they perform, the food they eat, and the clothing they wear are all grounded in historical evidence. Medieval crafts, trade, and social hierarchies are all represented, offering players a tangible sense of what it might have been like to live in 15th-century Bohemia. This deep immersion sets KCD apart from most other historical RPGs.
Combat Realism
The game’s combat system is another area where KCD pushes boundaries. Rather than relying on simple button-mashing, it emphasizes realistic swordplay techniques based on historical manuals. Armor types, weapon handling, and fighting styles are all designed to reflect the martial arts of the period. This dedication to realism makes combat challenging and rewarding.
Cultural Elements and Historical Events
KCD incorporates numerous historical events and cultural elements into its narrative. The game is set during a turbulent period of Bohemian history, marked by political unrest, religious tensions, and the power struggles surrounding King Wenceslaus IV. The game integrates historical events from 1403, but it is essential to acknowledge that the narrative and the events are not entirely accurate.
Where Kingdom Come: Deliverance Deviates from History
Narrative Simplifications and Character Fictionalization
While KCD features real historical figures, the game often takes liberties with their personalities and actions for dramatic effect. Henry, the protagonist, is a fictional character whose story is woven into the fabric of historical events. While Radzig Kobyla was a real person, his relationship with Henry is entirely fictionalized. Also, the game omits elements that do not fit neatly into the narrative structure.
The Representation of Race
One of the most significant criticisms of KCD is its overwhelmingly White portrayal of 15th-century Bohemia. While the region was predominantly inhabited by people of European descent, the game’s lack of racial diversity has been criticized as ahistorical. Critics also argue that the portrayal of Cumans and Hungarians as cruel invaders perpetuates harmful stereotypes. This has created significant discourse in the Games Learning Society.
Limited Focus on Social Issues
While KCD depicts some aspects of medieval society, it often glosses over complex social issues such as poverty, disease, and gender inequality. These issues were pervasive in medieval Bohemia, but they are not always given adequate attention in the game. The developers have received feedback on this issue from many sources, and it is possible that future editions will contain more social elements.
Distorted Historical Events
While KCD is set during a period of real historical events, it is very loosely aligned. Although the historical timeline is correct, many events are distorted or dramatized for narrative purposes. The game offers an engaging story first, and historical accuracy is a secondary consideration. It is important to note that KCD is not a historical simulation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Historical Accuracy in KCD
1. Is Kingdom Come: Deliverance a historically accurate game?
KCD strives for historical accuracy in its depiction of daily life, combat, and locations, but it also takes liberties with character portrayals and narrative events. It is more historically accurate than most RPGs but not a perfect historical simulation.
2. Was Sir Radzig Kobyla a real person?
Yes, Sir Radzig Kobyla (Racek Kobyla ze Dvorce a Dvojic) was a real historical figure, a Knight of King Wenceslaus IV, and a Royal Steward. However, his relationship with Henry in the game is fictional.
3. Is Henry from KCD a real person?
No, Henry is a fictional character created for the game’s narrative.
4. Where is Skalitz in real life?
Skalitz is based on the real-life location of Stříbrná Skalice, a village located about 26 kilometers southeast of Prague in the Czech Republic.
5. Where is Talmberg in real life?
Talmberg is based on the real-life village of Talmberk, a municipal part of Samopše in the Kutná Hora District of the Czech Republic.
6. What year is Kingdom Come: Deliverance set in?
KCD is set in 1403, during a period of political unrest in Bohemia.
7. Is the combat in KCD realistic?
Yes, the combat in KCD is designed to be more realistic than in most games. Armor, weapon handling, and fighting techniques are based on historical evidence.
8. Can you beat KCD without killing anyone?
Yes, you can complete the main quest line without killing anyone except Runt.
9. Is Rattay a real place?
Yes, Rattay is based on the real-life town of Rataje nad Sázavou in the Kutná Hora District of the Czech Republic.
10. Is there romance in KCD?
Yes, there are opportunities for romance and sexual encounters with various characters in the game.
11. What cities are in Kingdom Come: Deliverance in real life?
Several locations in KCD are based on real places, including Sasau Monastery, Skalitz (Stříbrná Skalice), Rattay (Rataje nad Sázavou), Talmberg (Talmberk), and Ledetchko.
12. Is Sir Radzig Henry’s real father in the game?
Yes, it is revealed that Radzig Kobyla is Henry’s biological father, although he kept this a secret for most of Henry’s life.
13. Can you become a lord in Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
No, you cannot become a lord in KCD. The game aims to reflect the social hierarchies of medieval times, where social mobility was limited.
14. What is the largest city in KCD?
Rattay is the largest city on the map in Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
15. How long does it take to complete KCD?
The main story takes about 40½ hours to complete. Completionists can spend up to 129 hours exploring all aspects of the game.
Conclusion: KCD as Historical Fiction
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a fascinating and ambitious game that offers a unique glimpse into 15th-century Bohemia. While it is not a perfect historical recreation, its dedication to realism in many aspects of its design sets it apart from other historical RPGs. By understanding the game’s strengths and limitations, players can better appreciate its achievements and engage with its narrative in a more informed way. Educators interested in using games for learning can find resources and discussions at GamesLearningSociety.org. KCD should be seen as historical fiction, a story inspired by and grounded in real events but ultimately crafted for entertainment. Like any work of historical fiction, it’s essential to approach KCD with a critical eye, recognizing that it presents a particular interpretation of the past rather than a definitive historical record.