Throughout the years, the Assassin’s Creed series has drawn much of its inspiration from historical events, blending them seamlessly into its expansive, action-packed narratives. Even though it doesn’t aim to be an exact retelling of history, it skillfully integrates different eras and locations into its storylines, with each installment diving into a unique period filled with figures and events that echo real history. The latest chapter, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, keeps this tradition alive.
In a groundbreaking move for the series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows spotlights its first historically inspired playable character, Yasuke. But Yasuke’s inclusion is just the tip of the iceberg. He encounters numerous other historical personalities, including the intriguing Portuguese traveler Luis Frois, set against the backdrop of a feudal Japan ripe with intrigue and political upheaval.
Reflecting further on Luis Frois’ background, he was born in 1532 in Lisbon, the bustling heart of Portugal. He spent his early years soaking up knowledge within the royal court of King John III. Driven by a higher calling, he joined the Jesuit Order, a young congregation with a mission to disseminate Catholicism across the globe.
Experienced and educated, Frois found himself in Portuguese India, where he met the influential Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier, who was intent on spreading faith in Japan. By 1561, armed with knowledge and spiritual training, Frois was ordained as a priest.
The year 1563 marked the beginning of Frois’ Japanese journey. He arrived at Kyoto and eventually encountered political powerhouses such as the shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru and the ambitious Oda Nobunaga. During Nobunaga’s quest for power and unity across Japan, Frois, supported by fellow Jesuits like Alessandro Valignano, was given leeway to promote Catholicism.
By the 1580s, Frois had another notable mission—to document the Jesuit activities alongside the unfolding events in Japan. His accounts, famously known as the “History of Japan,” offer valuable insights into the tumultuous Sengoku period, remaining a vital resource for historians today. Frois’ life journey concluded in Nagasaki in 1597.
In a fascinating twist, both Xavier and Valignano have previously been labeled as Templars in the Assassin’s Creed universe, although in Shadows, Luis Frois doesn’t align with this faction. Instead, he is depicted as an ally to Yasuke, aiding him in navigating his path later in the game.
Remarkably, the patchwork of Yasuke’s life in Japan, now legendary, largely stems from the meticulous accounts recorded by Frois. In 1581, Yasuke attended a crucial meeting alongside Frois and Valignano with Oda Nobunaga, setting the scene for the narrative in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
As for the game itself, players can anticipate an exciting launch with an ESRB rating of Mature 17+, promising intense storytelling with its expected inclusion of mature themes such as violence and language, hitting shelves on March 20, 2025.
