The latest installment in the Assassin’s Creed series, Shadows, has been met with a mix of reactions from players and critics. While some have accused the game of being “woke” due to its use of black samurai Yasuke as one of its leads, others argue that this narrative is nothing new for the series.
The controversy surrounding Yasuke’s inclusion in the game stems from his portrayal and representation, with some critics accusing Ubisoft of attempting to make a political statement. However, those who have played the game report that it does not live up to these expectations.
Shadows’ story bears striking similarities to other works, such as Tom Cruise’s The Last Samurai or the Anjin in Shogun. While some might argue that Yasuke’s character is more interesting due to his race and dynamic within Japanese society, others point out that there is an uneven split between Yasuke and Naoe in terms of gameplay.
The true issue at hand appears to be the manufactured outrage surrounding the game’s release. Many critics are quick to label Ubisoft as “woke” or accuse them of making a poor representation of Asian culture. However, this criticism seems to be based on a misunderstanding of the game’s intentions and lack of context.
What is clear, however, is that the toxicity of online discourse has reached a boiling point. The hostile reactions surrounding Shadows have prompted Ubisoft to take steps to protect its employees from harassment. This highlights the need for a more nuanced discussion around representation in games and the importance of understanding context.
Ultimately, while some might dismiss this controversy as unimportant, it serves as a stark reminder that the gaming industry is not immune to toxicity and criticism should be approached with a critical eye.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2025/03/21/its-abundantly-clear-the-assassins-creed-shadows-controversies-are-nothing