Ubisoft has once again activated the Animus, transporting players back to Japan’s Sengoku Period. In Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, historical figures such as Fujibayashi Nagato, Akechi Mitsuhide, and the enigmatic African samurai Yasuke – who served under Oda Nobunaga – take center stage in 1579. As usual, Ubisoft weaves these figures into a narrative that blends historical fact with creative fiction, exploring themes of revenge, betrayal, and murder. Fans of the series might recall that in this game, Yasuke even had to eliminate countless enemies just to earn enough XP to wield a gold-tier weapon.
Indeed, Assassin’s Creed operates as historical fiction. Its core concept revolves around identifying gaps in history where a sci-fi conspiracy can unfold—a tale of a secret society seeking world domination via the mystical powers of an ancient, pre-human civilization. While Ubisoft meticulously researches and roots its open-world environments in historical accuracy, it’s crucial to remember that these games are not educational resources. Developers intentionally alter dozens of historical facts to fit the story they wish to tell.
There are countless instances where Ubisoft bends the truth, but here are ten of our favorite moments when Assassin’s Creed completely reimagined the past.
The Assassins vs Templars War
Let’s address the elephant in the room: there is zero historical evidence suggesting that the Order of Assassins ever waged war against the Knights Templar. The conflict between these two factions is entirely fictional, inspired partly by the (equally fictional) conspiracy theories surrounding the Knights Templar. Founded in 1090 AD, the Assassins existed for roughly 200 years, while the Templars were established in 1118 and disbanded by 1312. Beyond their involvement in the Crusades, there’s no proof they were ideologically opposed. In fact, the only game where this timeline aligns is the original Assassin’s Creed. Despite brushing shoulders, there’s no indication of animosity between the two orders.
The Borgias and Their Godlike Pope
Assassin’s Creed 2 and Brotherhood focus heavily on Ezio’s rivalry with the Borgia family. In the game, Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia is revealed to be the Grand Master of the Templar Order, positioning himself as a major antagonist. However, the Templars didn’t exist in the late 1400s, meaning there was no Borgia conspiracy to seize the mythical Apple of Eden or install a godlike Pope. Unfortunately, this also invalidates Ezio’s Vatican brawl with Pope Alexander VI.
While this is an obvious fabrication, less apparent is how Ubisoft’s portrayal of the Borgias strays from historical accuracy. Though the family’s reputation is steeped in scandal, they were not the stereotypical villainous gang of Renaissance-era thugs. Rodrigo’s son, Cesare, is depicted as incestuous and psychopathic, despite the lack of historical evidence. In reality, Cesare’s reputation is mixed; some, like Machiavelli, even admired him as a capable ruler.
Machiavelli: Not an Assassin
Speaking of Machiavelli, the famed political thinker is portrayed as Ezio’s trusted ally in Assassin’s Creed 2 and Brotherhood. At one point, he leads the Italian Assassins’ Bureau and assists Ezio’s campaign against the Borgias. However, this is highly inaccurate. Machiavelli’s philosophies emphasize strong authority, which directly contradicts the Assassins’ anti-authoritarian creed. Moreover, historical records suggest Machiavelli neither despised the Borgias nor joined their opposition. He recognized Rodrigo Borgia as a cunning manipulator but admired Cesare Borgia as a capable ruler. Clearly, Ubisoft’s depiction of Machiavelli’s allegiance doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.
Da Vinci’s Marvelous Machines
Ezio’s friendship with Leonardo da Vinci is one of Assassin’s Creed 2’s most memorable aspects. Ubisoft’s portrayal of da Vinci as witty and charismatic aligns with historical accounts. However, his movements throughout Italy don’t match his documented travels. In 1482, da Vinci moved to Milan, staying there for over a decade. The game places him in Florence and Venice in 1481, ostensibly to paint portraits, but mostly to align him with Ezio’s storyline. This minor detail undermines Ubisoft’s otherwise meticulous attention to historical accuracy.
Of course, the real highlight is da Vinci’s futuristic designs. In the game, we see prototypes of his inventions, including a machine gun and a tank. While da Vinci was undoubtedly a visionary, there’s no evidence these were ever built. The most fantastical invention is the flying machine Ezio uses to traverse Venice. Though da Vinci was fascinated by human flight, no historical account confirms his machines ever took to the skies.
The Violent Boston Tea Party
One of the American Revolution’s defining moments, the Boston Tea Party, saw dozens of men disguised as Mohawks dumping tea into Boston Harbor. It was a non-violent protest against the Tea Act.
In Assassin’s Creed 3, however, protagonist Connor becomes the sole Native American protester, killing at least 15 British guards while others load the tea onto ships. More guards arrive, leading to a bloodbath with casualties on both sides. This violent rewrite completely misrepresents the event, likely for dramatic effect. Additionally, the game falsely claims Samuel Adams masterminded the protest, even though historians remain divided on his exact role.
Connor’s Mohawk Allegiance
Connor’s allegiance as a Mohawk adds another layer of historical distortion. During the Revolutionary War, the Mohawks were allied with the British, not the Patriots. Their trade relationship with the British was crucial, and they sought protection from colonial expansion. Historians criticized Connor’s depiction upon the game’s release, arguing it was highly improbable. Akiatonharónkwen, also known as Louis Cook, is a rare exception of a Mohawk fighting alongside the Patriots, but even this was uncommon. Connor’s storyline reflects the speculative “what if” premise that Assassin’s Creed excels at, though it falls short of delivering on its promise.
The French Revolution Reimagined
While Assassin’s Creed 3 takes liberties with American history, Unity distorts the French Revolution beyond recognition. The game portrays the revolution as a Templar conspiracy, absolving the monarchy of responsibility and painting aristocrats as innocent victims. In reality, famine stemmed from natural disasters like droughts and floods, not a Templar scheme. Moreover, the Reign of Terror is presented as the entire revolution, ignoring its broader context. The French Revolution was a complex, multi-year process driven by numerous factors.
The Execution of King Louis XVI
The execution of King Louis XVI is a pivotal moment in Assassin’s Creed Unity. The game implies the vote on his fate was contentious, decided by a single Templar vote. In reality, the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of execution—394 to 321—a clear majority. The game downplays the monarchy’s corruption and Louis XVI’s controversial attempt to flee France, which damaged his reputation further. Unity’s portrayal fails to capture the true causes of the revolution.
Jack the Ripper: A Rogue Assassin
Perhaps the most outrageous alteration in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is its depiction of Jack the Ripper. In reality, he was a brutal serial killer who targeted prostitutes in Whitechapel. According to the game, however, he was a rogue Assassin rebelling against the London Brotherhood. Jack trained under Jacob Frye but grew disillusioned with the Creed, eventually seizing control of the organization. To stop him, Jacob sent initiates disguised as prostitutes, but they were all brutally murdered. Ultimately, Jacob’s sister, Evie, killed Jack.
This twist fits the series’ trope of revealing hidden truths. Despite the real Jack the Ripper’s mysterious identity, Ubisoft’s version is a stretch too far.
Caesar’s Assassination
Julius Caesar’s
