Ubisoft has once again activated the Animus, transporting us back to Japan's tumultuous Sengoku Period with Assassin's Creed Shadows. This latest installment introduces us to historical figures from 1579, including Fujibayashi Nagato, Akechi Mitsuhide, and Yasuke—the African samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga. As with previous titles in the series, these characters are intricately woven into a narrative that blends historical events with fictional elements to craft a gripping tale of revenge, betrayal, and murder. While the game playfully suggests that Yasuke needed to kill foes to level up and wield gold-tier weapons, it's a reminder of the series' signature mix of history and fantasy.
Assassin's Creed is renowned for its historical fiction, crafting stories that fill historical gaps with a science fiction conspiracy involving a secret society aiming to dominate the world using the mystical powers of an ancient pre-human civilization. Ubisoft's dedication to creating immersive open-world environments is grounded in extensive historical research. However, it's crucial to recognize that these games are not history lessons but creative interpretations, where historical accuracies are often adjusted to enhance storytelling.
Here are ten instances where Assassin's Creed has creatively rewritten history:
The Assassins vs Templars War
The conflict between the Assassins and the Knights Templar, a central theme throughout the series, lacks any historical evidence. The Assassins, established in 1090 AD, and the Templars, formed in 1118, did not engage in the centuries-long war depicted in the games. Both organizations were dissolved by 1312, and their only common battleground was the Crusades, making the first Assassin's Creed game the only one set in a relevant period. The idea of ideological opposition between them is purely fictional.
The Borgias and their Superpowered Pope
Assassin's Creed 2 and Brotherhood center on Ezio's struggle against the Borgia family, with Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia becoming Pope Alexander VI and secretly the Templar Grand Master. The games' plot involving the Borgias' pursuit of the Apple of Eden and a pope with god-like powers is entirely fabricated. Moreover, while the Borgias are portrayed as quintessential villains, their real-life reputation, though tarnished, was not as sinister as the games suggest. Cesare Borgia, depicted as a psychopathic leader, may have been less malevolent than rumors suggest, according to Machiavelli's accounts.
Machiavelli, Enemy of the Borgias
In Assassin's Creed 2 and Brotherhood, Niccolò Machiavelli is portrayed as Ezio's ally and leader of the Italian Assassins, fighting against the Borgias. Historically, Machiavelli's political philosophies and his relatively positive view of the Borgias, especially Cesare, contradict his role in the games. Machiavelli's service under Cesare and his admiration for the Borgia's political tactics clash with the Assassin's Creed narrative.
The Incredible Leonardo da Vinci and his Flying Machine
Assassin's Creed 2 showcases a close bond between Ezio and Leonardo da Vinci, who is accurately depicted as charismatic and witty. However, the game alters da Vinci's timeline, placing him in Venice in 1481, rather than Milan where he historically moved in 1482. While the game brings to life da Vinci's visionary designs, including a tank and machine gun, there's no historical evidence that these inventions were ever constructed. The highlight, da Vinci's flying machine used by Ezio, remains a creative interpretation of his designs, as no such machine ever took flight.
The Bloody Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party, a pivotal event during the American Revolution, was a non-violent protest. However, in Assassin's Creed 3, protagonist Connor turns it into a violent affair, single-handedly killing numerous British guards during the tea dumping. This dramatic deviation from the peaceful historical event serves the game's narrative but significantly alters history. The game also suggests that Samuel Adams orchestrated the event, a claim that historical records do not fully support.
The Lone Mohawk
In Assassin's Creed 3, Connor, a Mohawk, aligns with the Patriots, contrary to the historical alliance of the Mohawk people with the British during the Revolutionary War. This narrative choice sparked debate among historians due to its unlikelihood. While there were rare cases like Louis Cook, a Mohawk who fought for the Patriots, Connor's story represents a "what if" scenario that Assassin's Creed often explores.
The Templar Revolution
Assassin's Creed Unity's depiction of the French Revolution attributes the uprising to a Templar conspiracy, overshadowing the complex socio-economic factors that led to the real revolution. The game simplifies the Reign of Terror as the entirety of the revolution and suggests that Templars engineered the food crisis, ignoring natural causes like drought and floods. This portrayal veers significantly from historical accuracy.
The Controversial Killing of King Louis 16
Assassin's Creed Unity's portrayal of King Louis 16's execution during the French Revolution misrepresents the event's political context. The game suggests a close vote on the king's fate, swayed by a Templar, which contradicts the historical record of a clear majority for execution. Unity also downplays the widespread public anger against the aristocracy, barely mentioning the king's attempt to flee France, which worsened his reputation.
Jack the Assassin
In Assassin's Creed Syndicate, Jack the Ripper is reimagined as a rogue Assassin attempting to seize control of the London Brotherhood. This narrative twist transforms the historical serial killer into a figure within the Assassin's Creed universe, fighting against Jacob Frye and his sister Evie. The game's reinterpretation of Jack the Ripper's motives and actions is a bold departure from historical accounts, reflecting the series' penchant for rewriting history.
The Assassination of the Tyrant Julius Caesar
Assassin's Creed Origins presents a fictionalized account of Julius Caesar's assassination, portraying him as a proto-Templar whose death is necessary to prevent global tyranny. The game's depiction of Caesar as a land-grabbing villain contrasts sharply with his historical reforms, which aimed at land redistribution for the poor. Additionally, the game's portrayal of Caesar's assassination as a triumph overlooks the subsequent Liberators' Civil War, which led to the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.
The Assassin's Creed series, while meticulously researched, often bends historical facts to suit its narrative. This approach to historical fiction is part of what makes the games engaging and unique. What are your favorite instances of Assassin's Creed creatively interpreting history? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
