Highlights
- Yasuke, the first samurai of foreign descent, offers a unique perspective on Feudal Japan in Assassin's Creed Shadows.
- Discontent over Ubisoft's choice to feature a black protagonist in a Japanese setting has led to Wikipedia page alterations.
- Despite the controversy, Yasuke's story and character may provide an intriguing and captivating gameplay experience.
In the aftermath of Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows reveal, disgruntled gamers are flocking to Wikipedia to alter the page of one of the game's protagonists. The ability to play as the historical black samurai Yasuke offers the potential to explore a unique story in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, yet these actions imply discontent towards Ubisoft’s choice to feature a black protagonist within the game’s Japanese setting.
Ubisoft finally revealed the first trailer for Assassin’s Creed Shadows on May 15, along with tons of new information about the game. Set in Feudal Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will feature two protagonists with distinct skill trees and abilities. Female shinobi Naoe is a master of infiltration and promises a stealthier playstyle reminiscent of the franchise's early entries. Meanwhile, heavily armored samurai Yasuke will utilize lethal force to tackle massed groups of enemies head-on.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Checks a Major Item Off Fans' Wish Lists
Assassin's Creed Shadows will be offering one major feature that is both highly requested and an improvement on one of the series' traditions.
While the developers were quick to pacify angry fans over a mistaken suggestion that Assassin’s Creed Shadows would require permanent online connectivity to play, other gamers have taken issue with Ubisoft’s choice of protagonists. Twitter user Sallymander40k has pointed out that Yasuke’s Wikipedia page was altered over 50 times on the day of Ubisoft's reveal. The chief dispute of the “edit war” hinges on the contentious question of whether Yasuke was ever specifically granted samurai status. Some fans believe that Yasuke’s detractors are attempting to undermine the significance of this first playable historical figure in an Assassin’s Creed title.
Who Was The Real Yasuke?
- Yasuke is thought to have been born in Africa and trafficked as a child slave.
- As a free man, he later traveled throughout Asia with the Jesuits, eventually entering the entourage of Japanese lord Oda Nobunaga in 1581.
- Against overwhelming odds, Yasuke survived and escaped the ambush in 1582 which resulted in Nobunaga's death.
The sparse details known about Yasuke’s life prove that he could provide a fascinating story and balance out Naoe’s stealthy gameplay. Claimed to be the first samurai of foreign descent and African origin, Yasuke was possibly enslaved and trafficked as a child. As a free man, he later accompanied Italian Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano to India, potentially as a bodyguard. After arriving in civil war-torn Sengoku Japan in 1579, Yasuke entered the service of lord Oda Nobunaga – the first “Great Unifier” – in 1581, where he was renowned for his height and strength. Yasuke’s service was cut short when Nobunaga was betrayed and forced to commit seppuku during the Honoji Incident of 1582. Yet Yasuke survived the attack and escaped with Nobunaga’s severed head, thereby depriving their enemy of their trophy.
While Yasuke is an unconventional choice for a game set in Feudal Japan, the ability to experience the beauty and brutality of this period from an outsider’s perspective could make for an intriguing story. As Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be smaller in scope than Odyssey or Valhalla, the need for strong characters and captivating storylines is all the greater. Additionally, Yasuke was not the only non-Japanese samurai. William Adams, the inspiration for John Blackthorne in James Clavell’s Shōgun, was granted the title in 1605. Whether fans approve of Ubisoft’s choice or not, Yasuke’s tale will be revealed when Assassin’s Creed Shadows is released on November 15, 2024.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Previously known as Codename Red, Assassin's Creed Shadows is an upcoming game in Ubisoft's open-world franchise. Set in Feudal Japan, Shadows includes two playable characters, a ninja assassin specializing in stealth and a samurai who focuses on power.
- Franchise
- Assassin's Creed
- Platform(s)
- PS5 , PC , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Amazon Luna
- Released
- November 15, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
