Ubisoft has once again activated the Animus, this time transporting us to Japan's Sengoku Period with Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This latest installment features historical figures from 1579, including Fujibayashi Nagato, Akechi Mitsuhide, and Yasuke – the African samurai who served Oda Nobunaga. As with previous games in the series, these characters are intricately woven into a narrative that blends fact and fiction to explore themes of revenge, betrayal, and murder. However, the notion that Yasuke had to kill everyone to gather XP for a gold-tier weapon is purely fictional and adds a humorous twist to the historical setting.
Assassin’s Creed is renowned for its historical fiction, crafting a narrative that fills historical gaps with a science fiction conspiracy about a secret society aiming to control the world using the powers of a pre-human civilization. While Ubisoft's open-world environments are deeply rooted in history and backed by extensive research, it's crucial to recognize that these games are not history lessons. The developers often adjust historical facts to better fit the story they wish to tell.
Here are ten notable instances where Assassin’s Creed has creatively rewritten history:
The Assassins vs Templars War
The central conflict between the Assassins and the Templars in the Assassin’s Creed series is entirely fictional. Historically, there is no evidence that the Order of Assassins, founded in 1090 AD, and the Knights Templar, established in 1118, were ever at war. Both groups coexisted for about 200 years and were disbanded by 1312. Their only shared historical context was the Crusades, but there's no indication of ideological opposition between them.
The Borgias and their Superpowered Pope
Assassin’s Creed 2 and its sequel, Brotherhood, center on Ezio's battle against the Borgia family. In the game, Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, who becomes Pope Alexander VI, is portrayed as the Grand Master of the Templar Order. However, historically, the Templars did not exist in the late 1400s, so the plot involving the magical Apple of Eden and a pope with god-like powers is entirely fabricated. The depiction of the Borgias as villainous is also exaggerated; while they were controversial, the portrayal of Cesare Borgia as an incestuous psychopath is based on rumors rather than solid evidence.
Machiavelli, Enemy of the Borgias
In Assassin’s Creed 2 and Brotherhood, Niccolò Machiavelli is depicted as Ezio’s ally and leader of the Italian Assassins. Historically, Machiavelli's philosophy of strong authority clashes with the Assassin's Creed's anti-authoritarian stance. Additionally, Machiavelli had a more nuanced view of the Borgias, serving as a diplomat under Cesare Borgia and admiring his leadership, contrary to the game's portrayal.
The Incredible Leonardo da Vinci and his Flying Machine
Assassin’s Creed 2 showcases a strong bond between Ezio and Leonardo da Vinci, accurately capturing da Vinci’s wit and charisma. However, the game alters his timeline, moving him from Florence to Venice earlier than his historical journey to Milan. The game also brings to life several of da Vinci’s designs, including a machine gun and tank, but the most fantastical element is the flying machine used by Ezio, which, while inspired by da Vinci’s sketches, has no historical evidence of ever being built or flown.
The Bloody Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party, a pivotal event in the American Revolution, was historically a peaceful protest. In Assassin’s Creed 3, however, Connor, a Mohawk protagonist, turns the event into a violent confrontation, killing multiple British guards. The game also attributes the protest's organization to Samuel Adams, despite historians debating his exact involvement.
The Lone Mohawk
Assassin’s Creed 3 portrays Connor, a Mohawk, as fighting alongside the Patriots, contrary to historical alliances where the Mohawk people supported the British. While rare instances of Mohawks fighting against the British exist, such as Louis Cook, Connor's allegiance is a significant deviation from historical norms.
The Templar Revolution
Assassin’s Creed Unity's depiction of the French Revolution as a Templar conspiracy oversimplifies the complex causes of the revolution, including natural disasters and food shortages. The game's focus on the Reign of Terror as the entirety of the revolution ignores its broader context and multi-year development.
The Controversial Killing of King Louis 16
The execution of King Louis 16 in Assassin’s Creed Unity is portrayed as a close vote swayed by a Templar. Historically, the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of execution, reflecting widespread public sentiment against the monarchy. The game's soft portrayal of the aristocracy contrasts with the real historical anger directed at them.
Jack the Assassin
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate reimagines Jack the Ripper as a rogue Assassin who takes over the London Brotherhood. This narrative twist on one of history's most infamous serial killers diverges significantly from the unresolved police investigations of the time.
The Assassination of the Tyrant Julius Caesar
Assassin’s Creed Origins reinterprets Julius Caesar's assassination, portraying him as a proto-Templar. Historically, Caesar's reforms aimed at land redistribution and support for the poor, which contrasts with the game's depiction of his adversaries fighting for the people. The game also oversimplifies the political ramifications of his death, which led to the collapse of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.
The Assassin’s Creed series meticulously crafts its historical settings while taking creative liberties to enhance its storytelling. While historical accuracy may not be its primary goal, these games successfully blend fact and fiction to create engaging narratives. What are your favorite examples of Assassin’s Creed bending the truth? Share them in the comments below.
