Assassin's Creed: Chronological Play Guide

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise has captivated gamers for 18 years, taking them on a thrilling journey across five continents and through 2,300 years of history. From the ancient streets of Greece to the bustling alleys of Victorian London, the series has explored diverse eras and settings through its 13 mainline games. As we eagerly await the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, let's delve into the comprehensive timeline of the Assassin's Creed saga, focusing solely on the mainline entries that drive the central narrative.

For a deeper dive into the historical contexts of these games, be sure to check out our full guide to the Assassin's Creed timeline.

Jump to:

• How to play in chronological order
• How to play in release order

Mainline Assassin's Creed Games in Chronological Order

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How Many Assassin's Creed Games Are There?

The Assassin's Creed series boasts 14 mainline games and 17 spinoffs, not to mention an Assassin's Creed board game and an upcoming TV series on Netflix.

Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?

Choosing where to start in the Assassin's Creed timeline can be daunting, but it's best to begin with an era that piques your interest. The Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is renowned for its compelling narrative. For those interested in more recent titles, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers an engaging pirate-themed experience, while Assassin's Creed Odyssey immerses players in the world of ancient Greece.

PS4, Xbox One, PC

Assassin's Creed: Ezio Trilogy

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Nintendo Switch

Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Trilogy

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PS4, Xbox One, PC

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

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PS4, Xbox One, PC

Assassin's Creed: Odyssey

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How to Play the Assassin’s Creed Games In Order

There are two primary ways to experience the Assassin's Creed series: by the modern-day storyline or by the historical settings. Playing in release order follows the modern-day narrative, which is crucial for understanding the overarching story and the franchise's evolution from stealth-action to open-world RPGs. For those interested in the historical aspect, playing in chronological order offers a fascinating journey through time.

The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order

Below are brief plot summaries with mild spoilers to help you navigate the series without spoiling the experience.

1. Assassin's Creed Odyssey (431 B.C.–422 B.C.)

Primary setting: Ancient Greece
Historic Protagonist: Cassandra or Alexios
Modern Protagonist: Layla Hassan

Set nearly 400 years before any other mainline game, Assassin's Creed Odyssey fully embraces RPG elements, transforming the series into an open-world adventure. You play as Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of King Leonidas I, navigating the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens. The game intertwines historical figures like Hippocrates and Socrates with mythological creatures such as the Sphinx and Medusa. Although set before the Assassin and Templar orders, it features the Spear of Leonidas, a key Piece of Eden.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna | IGN's Assassin's Creed Odyssey Wiki

2. Assassin's Creed Origins (49 B.C.–44 B.C.)

Primary setting: Ancient Egypt
Historic Protagonist: Bayek of Siwa
Modern Protagonist: Layla Hassan

After a brief hiatus, Ubisoft returned with Assassin's Creed Origins in 2017, introducing RPG mechanics and serving as a soft reboot. Set during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the game follows Bayek and Aya as they seek vengeance for their son's death, uncovering the Order of the Ancients and founding the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins. The modern-day story introduces Layla Hassan, who continues her journey through Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla.

Available on: PS4, Xbox, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna | IGN's Assassin's Creed Origins Wiki

3. Assassin's Creed Mirage (861–???)

Primary setting: 9th Century Baghdad
Historic Protagonist: Basim Ibn Ishaq
Modern Protagonist: N/A

Released in 2023, Assassin's Creed Mirage is a $50 USD stealth-focused adventure that pays homage to the series' roots. It follows 17-year-old Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief with nightmarish visions, as he escapes Baghdad and journeys to the Hidden Ones' fortress of Alamut. Unlike other entries, Mirage does not feature a prominent modern-day storyline.

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Amazon Luna | IGN's Assassin's Creed Mirage Wiki

4. Assassin's Creed Valhalla (872–878)

Primary setting: 9th Century England and Norway
Historic Protagonist: Eivor Varinsson/Varinsdottir
Modern Protagonist: Layla Hassan

Assassin's Creed Valhalla delves into Norse history and mythology, offering the series' largest game to date. You play as Eivor, leading their clan from a resource-scarce Norway to the fertile lands of England. The game blends historical figures like King Harald Fairhair with mythological beings like Odin, while continuing the conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients. The modern-day story concludes Layla Hassan's arc.

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna | IGN's Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wiki

5. Assassin's Creed (1191)

Primary setting: 12th Century Holy Land (Acre, Damascus, Jerusalem)
Historic Protagonist: Altair Ibn'La-Ahad
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

The inaugural Assassin's Creed game introduces Altair Ibn'La-Ahad during the Third Crusade. It establishes core gameplay mechanics like climbing and assassinations, as well as the time-hopping narrative involving the Pieces of Eden and the Animus. The past story follows Altair's quest to eliminate nine Templars, while the present-day narrative introduces Desmond Miles and the modern Assassin-Templar conflict.

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, PC | IGN's Assassin's Creed Wiki

6. Assassin's Creed II (1476–1499)

Primary setting: 15th Century Italy
Historic Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

Assassin's Creed II introduces Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a beloved protagonist whose story spans three games. Ezio's journey begins with a quest for vengeance against those who killed his father and brother, leading him to uncover a larger conspiracy and engage in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The game takes players through iconic Italian locales and introduces historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci. In the present, Desmond begins his work with the Assassins.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, Switch (The Ezio Collection); PS3, Xbox 360, PC (Original Release) | IGN's Assassin's Creed 2 Wiki

7. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (1499–1507)

Primary setting: 15th-16th Century Italy
Historic Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood continues Ezio's story as he seeks to rebuild Rome's Assassins Guild and retrieve the Apple of Eden. The modern-day narrative follows Desmond and the Assassins to Italy in pursuit of the same artifact, crucial to preventing a prophesized apocalypse.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, Switch (The Ezio Collection); PS3, Xbox 360, PC (Original Release) | IGN's Assassin's Creed Brotherhood Wiki

8. Assassin's Creed: Revelations (1511–1512)

Primary setting: 16th Century Constantinople
Historic Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

The final chapter of the Ezio trilogy sees an older Ezio traveling to Constantinople in search of Altair's hidden library. The game intertwines Ezio's journey with Altair's memories, revealing Ezio's role in the broader Assassin's Creed narrative. In the present, Desmond navigates the Animus to escape "the Black Room" and return to consciousness.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, Switch (The Ezio Collection); PS3, Xbox 360, PC (Original Release) | IGN's Assassin's Creed Revelations Wiki

9. Assassin's Creed Shadows (1581)

Primary setting: Feudal Japan
Historic Protagonists: Naoe and Yasuke
Modern Protagonist: N/A

Assassin's Creed Shadows transports players to Feudal Japan during the late Sengoku period. The game features dual protagonists: Yasuke, an African mercenary turned samurai, and Naoe, a shinobi-in-training. Their paths cross in a quest for vengeance. Unlike Mirage, Shadows introduces the Animus Hub, a platform that unifies the Assassin's Creed franchise and adds modern-day subplots.

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | IGN's Assassin's Creed Shadows Wiki

10. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (1715–1722)

Primary setting: 18th Century Caribbean Islands
Historic Protagonist: Edward Kenway
Modern Protagonist: Unnamed Abstergo Employee

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is renowned for its naval gameplay and follows Edward Kenway, a pirate and grandfather of Connor Kenway from Assassin's Creed III. The game features real-life pirates like Blackbeard and introduces Adéwalé, protagonist of the Freedom Cry DLC. Edward becomes entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict while seeking The Observatory, a First Civilization site. The modern-day story involves an Abstergo employee reliving Connor's life to create a film.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC, Stadia; Switch (The Rebel Collection) | IGN's Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag Wiki

11. Assassin's Creed Rogue (1752–1760)

Primary setting: 18th Century American Northeast
Historic Protagonist: Shay Patrick Cormac
Modern Protagonist: Abstergo Employee "Numbskull"

Assassin's Creed Rogue serves as a bridge between Assassin's Creed III and IV, following Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar. The game features Haytham Kenway, connecting it to the Kenway family saga. In the present, you play as another Abstergo employee, known as "Numbskull," working for the modern-day Templars.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Stadia; Switch (The Rebel Collection) | IGN's Assassin's Creed Rogue Wiki

12. Assassin's Creed III (1754–1783)

Primary setting: 18th Century Colonial America
Historic Protagonist: Ratonhnhaké "Connor" Kenway
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

Assassin's Creed III follows Connor Kenway during the American Revolution, as he seeks to protect his tribe and the First Civilization's Grand Temple from the Templars. The game features historical figures like George Washington and concludes Desmond's arc in the present day, as he and the Assassins work to prevent the end of the world.

Available on: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC, Stadia | IGN's Assassin's Creed 3 Wiki

13. Assassin's Creed Unity (1789–1794)

Primary setting: 18th Century France
Historic Protagonist: Arno Dorian
Modern Protagonist: Unnamed Helix Player

Set during the French Revolution, Assassin's Creed Unity follows Arno Dorian as he navigates the Assassin-Templar conflict and seeks vengeance. The game features historical figures like Napoléon Bonaparte. The modern-day story, told through cutscenes, involves a player using Helix, Abstergo's Animus-powered gaming software.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna | IGN's Assassin's Creed Unity Wiki

14. Assassin's Creed Syndicate (1868)

Primary setting: Victorian London
Historic Protagonists: Jacob and Evie Frye
Modern Protagonist: Unnamed Helix Player

Assassin's Creed Syndicate features twin protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye, who work to liberate London from Templar control while seeking a Piece of Eden. The game includes historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Darwin. The modern-day narrative continues with the same Helix player from Unity, now working with the Assassins.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna | IGN's Assassin's Creed Syndicate Wiki

How to Play The Assassin’s Creed Games By Release Date

• Assassin's Creed (2007)
• Assassin's Creed II (2009)
• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (2010)
• Assassin's Creed: Revelations (2011)
• Assassin's Creed III / Liberation (2012)
• Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag / Freedom Cry (2013)
• Assassin's Creed Rogue (2014)
• Assassin's Creed Unity (2014)
• Assassin's Creed Syndicate (2015)
• Assassin's Creed Origins (2017)
• Assassin's Creed Odyssey (2018)
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla (2020)
• Assassin's Creed Mirage (2023)
• Assassin's Creed Nexus VR (2023)
• Assassin's Creed Shadows (2024)

Upcoming Assassin's Creed Games

Assassin's Creed Shadows is set to release on March 20. While no details on future mainline games have been announced, Ubisoft's CEO has confirmed remakes of older Assassin's Creed titles are in development. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed series is in the works at Netflix, and Tencent's mobile-exclusive title, Assassin's Creed Jade, has been delayed to 2025.

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