What Order to Play Assassin's Creed Games: A Journey Through Time and Chaos

The Assassin’s Creed series, developed by Ubisoft, is a sprawling franchise that spans centuries, continents, and countless historical events. With over a dozen mainline games and numerous spin-offs, deciding the best order to play them can be as complex as the conspiracy-laden plots within the games themselves. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned player looking to revisit the series, this guide will help you navigate the labyrinthine world of Assassin’s Creed.

1. Release Order: The Classic Approach

The most straightforward way to experience the Assassin’s Creed series is to play the games in the order they were released. This approach allows you to witness the evolution of the series, both in terms of gameplay mechanics and narrative complexity.

Assassin’s Creed (2007): The game that started it all. Set during the Third Crusade, you play as Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, a member of the Assassin Brotherhood. The game introduces the core mechanics of stealth, parkour, and combat that would define the series.
Assassin’s Creed II (2009): Often considered the best in the series, this game follows Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a young nobleman turned assassin in Renaissance Italy. The game expands on the original’s mechanics and introduces a more engaging story.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010): Continuing Ezio’s story, this game adds the ability to recruit and train other assassins, adding a new layer of strategy to the gameplay.
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011): The final chapter in Ezio’s trilogy, this game ties together the stories of Altaïr, Ezio, and the modern-day protagonist Desmond Miles.
Assassin’s Creed III (2012): Set during the American Revolution, this game introduces a new protagonist, Connor Kenway, and explores the conflict between the Assassins and Templars in a new setting.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013): A fan favorite, this game shifts the focus to naval combat and piracy, following the adventures of Edward Kenway, Connor’s grandfather.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue (2014): A unique entry in the series, this game allows you to play as a Templar, offering a different perspective on the Assassin-Templar conflict.
Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014): Set during the French Revolution, this game introduces cooperative multiplayer and a new protagonist, Arno Dorian.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015): Set in Victorian London, this game follows twins Jacob and Evie Frye as they fight to liberate the city from Templar control.
Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017): A soft reboot of the series, this game takes place in ancient Egypt and explores the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018): Set in ancient Greece, this game offers a more RPG-like experience, with branching dialogue options and multiple endings.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020): The latest mainline entry, this game follows Eivor, a Viking raider, as they explore England during the Viking Age.

2. Chronological Order: A Historical Journey

For those who prefer a more historically accurate experience, playing the games in chronological order based on their in-universe timelines can be a rewarding approach. This method allows you to experience the evolution of the Assassin-Templar conflict through the ages.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (431–422 BCE): Set in ancient Greece, this game is the earliest in the series’ timeline. It explores the origins of the Assassin-Templar conflict and introduces the Isu, an ancient civilization that predates humanity.
Assassin’s Creed Origins (49–43 BCE): This game takes place in ancient Egypt and follows Bayek, the founder of the Assassin Brotherhood. It provides a deeper understanding of the Assassin’s Creed and the hidden blade.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (873–878 CE): Set during the Viking Age, this game follows Eivor as they navigate the political landscape of England and the ongoing conflict between the Assassins and Templars.
Assassin’s Creed (1191 CE): The original game, set during the Third Crusade, introduces the modern-day storyline and the concept of the Animus, a device that allows users to relive the memories of their ancestors.
Assassin’s Creed II (1476–1499 CE): Set during the Italian Renaissance, this game follows Ezio Auditore as he becomes an assassin and uncovers the secrets of the Assassin Brotherhood.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (1499–1507 CE): Continuing Ezio’s story, this game sees him rebuilding the Assassin Brotherhood in Rome.
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (1511–1512 CE): The final chapter in Ezio’s trilogy, this game ties together the stories of Altaïr, Ezio, and Desmond.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (1715–1722 CE): Set during the Golden Age of Piracy, this game follows Edward Kenway as he becomes embroiled in the Assassin-Templar conflict.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue (1752–1760 CE): This game offers a unique perspective by allowing you to play as a Templar, Shay Cormac, as he hunts down Assassins.
Assassin’s Creed III (1754–1783 CE): Set during the American Revolution, this game follows Connor Kenway as he fights to protect his people and the ideals of the Assassin Brotherhood.
Assassin’s Creed Unity (1789–1794 CE): Set during the French Revolution, this game follows Arno Dorian as he navigates the chaos of Paris and uncovers a Templar conspiracy.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (1868 CE): Set in Victorian London, this game follows the Frye twins as they fight to liberate the city from Templar control.

3. Thematic Order: Exploring the Series’ Core Themes

For those who are more interested in the philosophical and thematic elements of the series, playing the games based on their core themes can provide a deeper understanding of the Assassin-Templar conflict.

Freedom vs. Control: The central theme of the series is the conflict between the Assassins, who seek to preserve free will, and the Templars, who believe in order and control. Games like Assassin’s Creed III, Assassin’s Creed Unity, and Assassin’s Creed Syndicate explore this theme in depth.
The Nature of Power: Many of the games explore the corrupting influence of power, whether it’s the power of the Templars, the Assassins, or the Isu. Assassin’s Creed II, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, and Assassin’s Creed Origins delve into this theme.
The Role of History: The series often blurs the line between history and fiction, using real historical events and figures to tell its story. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Assassin’s Creed Rogue, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla are particularly notable for their historical settings.
The Modern-Day Storyline: While the historical settings are the main draw of the series, the modern-day storyline is equally important. Games like Assassin’s Creed, Assassin’s Creed II, and Assassin’s Creed Origins provide crucial insights into the modern-day conflict between the Assassins and Templars.

4. Gameplay-Focused Order: From Stealth to Open-World RPG

The Assassin’s Creed series has evolved significantly in terms of gameplay, from the stealth-focused mechanics of the early games to the open-world RPG elements of the more recent entries. Playing the games in order of their gameplay evolution can provide a unique perspective on the series.

Stealth and Parkour: The early games, such as Assassin’s Creed, Assassin’s Creed II, and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, focus heavily on stealth and parkour. These games require careful planning and precise execution to succeed.
Naval Combat: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed Rogue introduce naval combat, allowing players to engage in ship-to-ship battles and explore the open seas.
Open-World RPG: Starting with Assassin’s Creed Origins, the series shifts towards a more open-world RPG format, with larger maps, side quests, and RPG elements like leveling and gear customization. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla continue this trend.

5. The Modern-Day Storyline: A Separate Journey

For those who are primarily interested in the modern-day storyline, it’s possible to focus on the games that advance this narrative. While the modern-day storyline is present in most of the games, some entries provide more significant developments.

Assassin’s Creed: Introduces the modern-day protagonist Desmond Miles and the concept of the Animus.
Assassin’s Creed II: Expands on Desmond’s story and introduces the concept of the Pieces of Eden.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood: Continues Desmond’s story and explores the relationship between the Assassins and Templars in the modern day.
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations: Ties together the stories of Altaïr, Ezio, and Desmond, providing a deeper understanding of the modern-day conflict.
Assassin’s Creed III: Concludes Desmond’s story and sets the stage for future modern-day developments.
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Introduces a new modern-day protagonist, Layla Hassan, and explores the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: Continues Layla’s story and delves deeper into the Isu and their influence on human history.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Further explores Layla’s journey and the ongoing conflict between the Assassins and Templars in the modern day.

6. Spin-Offs and Side Stories: Expanding the Universe

In addition to the mainline games, the Assassin’s Creed series includes several spin-offs and side stories that expand on the universe. While these games are not essential to the main narrative, they offer additional insights and experiences.

Assassin’s Creed: Liberation: Originally released for the PlayStation Vita, this game follows Aveline de Grandpré, a female assassin in 18th-century New Orleans.
Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: A trilogy of side-scrolling games set in China, India, and Russia, offering a different gameplay experience.
Assassin’s Creed: Identity: A mobile game that allows players to create their own assassin and explore Renaissance Italy.
Assassin’s Creed: Rebellion: A strategy RPG for mobile devices that allows players to build and manage their own brotherhood of assassins.

7. The Best Order for Newcomers

For those new to the series, the best order to play the games depends on your interests. If you’re primarily interested in the historical settings and gameplay, starting with Assassin’s Creed II or Assassin’s Creed Origins is a good choice. If you’re more interested in the modern-day storyline, starting with the original Assassin’s Creed is recommended.

8. The Best Order for Veterans

For veterans of the series, revisiting the games in chronological or thematic order can provide a fresh perspective. Alternatively, focusing on the spin-offs and side stories can offer new experiences within the Assassin’s Creed universe.

9. The Future of Assassin’s Creed

As the series continues to evolve, future entries are likely to explore new historical settings, gameplay mechanics, and narrative themes. Whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran, the Assassin’s Creed series offers a rich and immersive experience that continues to captivate players around the world.

Q: Do I need to play all the Assassin’s Creed games to understand the story? A: While each game contributes to the overall narrative, many of them can be enjoyed as standalone experiences. However, playing the games in release order or focusing on the modern-day storyline can provide a deeper understanding of the series’ overarching plot.

Q: Which Assassin’s Creed game is the best for newcomers? A: Assassin’s Creed II is often recommended as the best starting point for newcomers due to its engaging story, improved gameplay mechanics, and introduction to the series’ core themes.

Q: Are the spin-off games worth playing? A: While not essential to the main narrative, the spin-off games offer unique experiences and additional insights into the Assassin’s Creed universe. They can be a fun way to explore different aspects of the series.

Q: How important is the modern-day storyline? A: The modern-day storyline is a crucial part of the series, providing context for the historical settings and advancing the overarching narrative. However, some players prefer to focus on the historical aspects of the games.

Q: Will there be more Assassin’s Creed games in the future? A: Yes, Ubisoft has confirmed that the Assassin’s Creed series will continue, with new games exploring different historical settings and introducing new gameplay mechanics.