"Assassin's Creed: 10 Historical Twists"

Ubisoft has once again activated the Animus, this time transporting us to Japan's Sengoku Period with Assassin's Creed Shadows. Set in 1579, the game introduces historical figures such as Fujibayashi Nagato, Akechi Mitsuhide, and Yasuke, the African samurai who served Oda Nobunaga. As with previous titles in the series, these characters are intricately woven into a narrative that blends historical facts with fictional elements to weave a tale of revenge, betrayal, and murder. While the idea of Yasuke needing to kill enemies to gather XP for a gold-tier weapon is purely imaginative, it underscores the game's creative liberties.

Assassin's Creed is renowned for its approach to historical fiction, using historical gaps to craft a science fiction narrative about a secret society attempting to control the world using the mystical powers of a pre-human civilization. Ubisoft's dedication to creating immersive open-world environments rooted in extensive research is commendable, yet it's crucial to understand that these games are not meant to serve as history lessons. The developers often alter historical facts to better fit their storytelling, resulting in numerous "historical inaccuracies" that enrich the gameplay experience.

Here are ten instances where Assassin's Creed significantly rewrote history:

The Assassins vs Templars War

The notion of a centuries-long war between the Order of Assassins and the Knights Templar is a cornerstone of the Assassin's Creed series, yet it lacks any historical basis. Founded in 1090 AD and 1118 AD respectively, these groups did not engage in the kind of ideological conflict depicted in the games. Their only shared historical context is the Crusades, and even then, there's no evidence of direct opposition between them. The series' portrayal of this conflict is inspired by fictional conspiracy theories rather than historical records.

The Borgias and their Superpowered Pope

In Assassin's Creed 2 and Brotherhood, Ezio's nemesis is the Borgia family, with Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia becoming Pope Alexander VI and secretly leading the Templar Order. The games' narrative, involving a magical Apple of Eden and a power-hungry pope, is entirely fictional. Historically, the Borgias were not the villainous caricatures depicted in the games; while their legacy was marred by scandal, there's no evidence of the extreme behaviors attributed to Cesare Borgia, such as incest or psychopathy, which are based on rumors rather than facts.

Machiavelli, Enemy of the Borgias

Niccolò Machiavelli's portrayal as Ezio's ally and leader of the Italian Assassin's Bureau in Assassin's Creed 2 and Brotherhood is a significant departure from historical reality. Machiavelli's political philosophy, which favored strong authority, contradicts the Assassin's Creed's principles of fighting against oppressive rule. Additionally, Machiavelli's documented respect for Rodrigo and Cesare Borgia, whom he served and admired, contrasts sharply with the game's narrative of him opposing them.

The Incredible Leonardo da Vinci and his Flying Machine

Assassin's Creed 2's depiction of Leonardo da Vinci's friendship with Ezio is engaging, capturing the polymath's charm and wit. However, the game alters da Vinci's timeline, having him move from Florence to Venice in 1481, rather than to Milan in 1482, to align with Ezio's journey. While da Vinci's engineering designs, including a machine gun and a tank, are brought to life in the game, there's no evidence these were ever constructed. The most fantastical element is Ezio's use of da Vinci's flying machine to navigate Venice's rooftops, despite da Vinci's interest in human flight, there's no record of his designs taking flight.

The Bloody Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party, a key event in the American Revolution, was a peaceful protest where no one was harmed. In Assassin's Creed 3, however, protagonist Connor turns the event into a violent confrontation, killing numerous British guards. This dramatic reinterpretation, including Connor's unique Mohawk disguise and Samuel Adams' supposed orchestration of the event, significantly deviates from historical accounts, which offer conflicting views on Adams' involvement.

The Lone Mohawk

Assassin's Creed 3's protagonist, Connor, a Mohawk, is depicted as fighting alongside the American Patriots against the British, despite the Mohawk's historical alliance with the British during the Revolutionary War. This portrayal sparked debate among historians due to its improbability. While there were rare instances of Mohawks siding with the Patriots, such as Louis Cook, Connor's narrative represents a "what if" scenario that explores the tension between personal and tribal loyalties.

The Templar Revolution

Assassin's Creed Unity's portrayal of the French Revolution as a Templar-orchestrated conspiracy oversimplifies the complex socio-economic factors that led to the uprising. The game's depiction of a manufactured food crisis and the Reign of Terror as the entirety of the revolution ignores the natural causes of famine and the broader scope of the revolution, which spanned several years and stemmed from multiple issues.

The Controversial Killing of King Louis 16

In Assassin's Creed Unity, the execution of King Louis 16 is dramatized as a close vote swayed by a single Templar, suggesting controversy over his fate. In reality, the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of execution, and the game's portrayal softens the historical animosity towards the French aristocracy. Louis's attempted escape to Austria, which further damaged his reputation and contributed to his treason charges, is barely touched upon in the game.

Jack the Assassin

Assassin's Creed Syndicate's narrative twist on Jack the Ripper, portraying him as a rogue Assassin and former apprentice of Jacob Frye, is a bold reinterpretation of history. The game's storyline, where Jack takes over the London Brotherhood and is eventually stopped by Evie Frye, leverages the mystery surrounding the real Jack the Ripper's identity to craft a thrilling narrative.

The Assassination of the Tyrant Julius Caesar

Assassin's Creed Origins' depiction of Julius Caesar's assassination as a battle against a proto-Templar tyrant oversimplifies his complex legacy. Caesar was popular among the Roman people for his reforms, including land redistribution to the poor. The game's portrayal of his assassination as a victory against tyranny is ironic, given that it led to the collapse of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Empire, contradicting the goals of his assassins.

The Assassin's Creed series meticulously crafts games filled with historically inspired elements, yet these are often creatively altered to enhance storytelling. As historical fiction, these games are not intended to be accurate historical documents but rather engaging narratives that blend fact and fiction. What are your favorite examples of Assassin's Creed bending the truth? Share your thoughts in the comments.