Ubisoft's latest dive into history with Assassin’s Creed Shadows transports players back to Japan’s Sengoku Period in 1579, featuring historical figures like Fujibayashi Nagato, Akechi Mitsuhide, and Yasuke, the African samurai who served Oda Nobunaga. As with previous entries in the series, the game weaves these characters into a rich tapestry of historical fiction, blending fact and fantasy to deliver a gripping narrative of revenge, betrayal, and murder. While the story might humorously suggest that Yasuke needed XP to wield a gold-tier weapon, it's a reminder of the series' playful take on history.
Assassin’s Creed is renowned for its historical fiction, crafting narratives that fit into historical gaps to explore science fiction themes about a secret society seeking global domination through the powers of an ancient civilization. Ubisoft's commitment to historical detail is evident in their meticulously crafted open-world environments. However, these games are not history lessons but rather creative reinterpretations, where historical accuracies are often adjusted to enhance storytelling.
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 Templars is a complete invention of the series. Historically, there is no evidence of a war between the Order of Assassins, founded in 1090 AD, and the Knights Templar, established in 1118. Both orders existed for around 200 years and were disbanded by 1312. The only shared historical event was the Crusades, which only the first Assassin’s Creed game accurately depicts as a backdrop. The notion of a centuries-long feud is purely fictional.
The Borgias and their Superpowered Pope
In Assassin’s Creed 2 and Brotherhood, the Borgia family, led by Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, who becomes Pope Alexander VI, is portrayed as part of the Templar Order. This narrative twist, including a plot to control humanity with the mythical Apple of Eden, is entirely fictional. While the Borgias were indeed controversial figures, Ubisoft's depiction of them as villainous schemers, especially Cesare Borgia as an incestuous psychopath, diverges from historical accounts, which suggest these were mere rumors.
Machiavelli, Enemy of the Borgias
Assassin’s Creed 2 and Brotherhood portray Niccolò Machiavelli as an Assassin and Ezio’s ally against the Borgias. In reality, Machiavelli's philosophy favored strong authority, which conflicts with the Assassins' ideology. He also had a favorable view of Rodrigo Borgia's political acumen and served as a diplomat in Cesare Borgia's court, suggesting a more complex relationship than the game's portrayal.
The Incredible Leonardo da Vinci and his Flying Machine
While Assassin’s Creed 2 captures Leonardo da Vinci's charismatic personality well, it takes liberties with his movements and inventions. The game places him in Venice in 1481 to coincide with Ezio’s story, whereas he actually moved to Milan in 1482. Furthermore, the game brings to life his futuristic designs, including a flying machine, despite no evidence that these were ever built or flown.
The Bloody Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party, a peaceful protest in history, becomes a violent affair in Assassin’s Creed 3. The protagonist, Connor, dressed as a Native American, kills numerous British guards, turning the event into a bloodbath. The game also credits Samuel Adams with orchestrating the protest, a detail historians debate.
The Lone Mohawk
Assassin’s Creed 3's protagonist, Connor, a Mohawk, aligns with the Patriots, contrary to the historical Mohawk alliance with the British during the Revolutionary War. While there were rare instances of Mohawks fighting against the British, like Louis Cook, Connor’s story is a "what if?" scenario that delves into the internal conflict such a choice would entail.
The Templar Revolution
Assassin’s Creed Unity attributes the French Revolution to a Templar conspiracy, suggesting it was a manufactured crisis rather than the result of natural disasters and social unrest. The game simplifies the complex causes of the revolution and portrays the Reign of Terror as the entirety of the event, which is a significant deviation from historical facts.
The Controversial Killing of King Louis 16
Unity depicts the execution of King Louis 16 as a close call, swayed by a single Templar vote, whereas it was a clear majority in reality. The game softens the portrayal of the French aristocracy, ignoring King Louis's attempt to flee and the widespread public anger against the monarchy.
Jack the Assassin
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate reimagines Jack the Ripper as a rogue Assassin who seeks to control the London Brotherhood. This narrative twist is a creative spin on the unsolved mystery of the serial killer's identity and actions, fitting into the series' tradition of rewriting history for dramatic effect.
The Assassination of the Tyrant Julius Caesar
Assassin’s Creed Origins portrays Julius Caesar's assassination as a battle against a proto-Templar, ignoring many historical details, including Caesar's popularity among the Roman people and his reforms for the poor. The game's narrative suggests a victory against tyranny, whereas historically, his death led to the collapse of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Empire.
Assassin’s Creed games are a testament to Ubisoft's dedication to creating immersive historical settings, even if they frequently deviate from historical accuracy. As works of historical fiction, these creative liberties are part of the series' charm. What are your favorite examples of Assassin’s Creed bending the truth? Share them in the comments below.
