Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise has been a thrilling journey through time, covering five continents and 2,300 years of history across 13 mainline games. With the upcoming release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, it's the perfect time to explore the Assassin-Templar saga. This chronology focuses solely on the mainline games, as the spinoffs, while enjoyable, don't significantly impact the overarching narrative.
For more in-depth information on the historical settings of Assassin's Creed games, check out our comprehensive 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?
There are currently 14 mainline Assassin's Creed games and 17 spinoff titles. Beyond video games, the franchise also includes an Assassin's Creed board game and a rumored TV series in development at 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 original 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 engaging pirate-themed gameplay, 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 approach the Assassin’s Creed chronology. The first is by the order of the modern-day storylines, which makes sense given the continuous narrative thread across the games. Playing in release order will help you follow the evolution of the series from stealth-action to open-world RPGs, and it's the recommended approach for experiencing the overarching story.
The second option is by historical settings, which, while less interconnected, offer a unique way to explore different eras. Below is a detailed look at the games in chronological order, with mild spoilers focused on setting, key characters, and broad plot points.
The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order
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 embraced RPG elements, shifting the series from stealth-based action to open-world RPG. You play as Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of King Leonidas I of Sparta, during the Peloponnesian War. The game intertwines historical figures like Hippocrates and Socrates with mythical beings like the Sphinx and Medusa. Though set before the formation of 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 year-long hiatus, Ubisoft released Assassin's Creed Origins in 2017, marking a soft reboot and the introduction of RPG mechanics. Set in Ancient Egypt under Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the story follows Bayek and Aya as they seek vengeance for their son's death, eventually uncovering the Order of the Ancients and forming the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins. Layla Hassan serves as the modern-day protagonist across 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 original games. It follows a young Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief with visions, on his journey to becoming a key figure in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Mirage focuses less on the modern-day storyline, emphasizing Basim's path to Alamut under the guidance of his mentor Roshan.
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 largest game in the series. With a main story completion time of around 60 hours, it features real-life figures like King Harald Fairhair and King Aelfred the Great, as well as mythological elements like Fenrir and Odin. The game continues the conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients, while following Eivor's clan from Norway to England.
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, set during the Third Crusade, introduces Altair Ibn'La-Ahad and the foundational gameplay mechanics of climbing and assassinations. It also establishes key narrative elements like the Pieces of Eden and the Animus. Altair's mission to hunt down nine Templars intertwines with Desmond Miles' modern-day struggle against the Templars.
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 fan-favorite protagonist whose story spans three games. Ezio's quest for vengeance leads him to uncover a larger conspiracy involving the Assassins and Templars. The game takes players across Italy, introducing historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci and Pope Alexander VI. Desmond's modern-day journey begins here as he works 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 rebuilds the Assassins Guild in Rome and retrieves the Apple of Eden. In the present, Desmond and the modern Assassins search for the same artifact to prevent the end of the world.
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 conclusion of the Ezio trilogy sees him travel to Constantinople in search of Altair's hidden library. Revelations links Ezio's narrative with Altair's past, revealing crucial insights into the Assassin's Creed universe. In the present, Desmond navigates the Animus to escape "the Black Room."
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
The newest Assassin's Creed game, Shadows, transports players to Feudal Japan during the late Sengoku period. Featuring dual protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, the game focuses on their intertwined paths of vengeance. Shadows introduces the Animus Hub, a platform that unifies the 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 stars Edward Kenway, a pirate embroiled in the Assassin-Templar conflict. Set two centuries after Ezio's trilogy and before Assassin's Creed III, it features historical pirates like Blackbeard and introduces the Observatory, a First Civilization site. The modern-day story follows an Abstergo employee exploring Connor's life.
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 acts as a narrative bridge between AC III and AC IV, following Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar. The game features Haytham Kenway and focuses on the hunt for a Piece of Eden. In the modern day, you play as an Abstergo employee known as "Numbskull."
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
Set during the American Revolution, Assassin's Creed III follows Connor Kenway as he protects 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 as he prevents the world's end in the modern-day storyline.
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
Assassin's Creed Unity is set during the French Revolution, following Arno Dorian's quest for vengeance amidst the Assassin-Templar conflict. The modern-day story 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. Set primarily in 1868, the game includes historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Darwin. The modern-day story continues with the same Helix player from Unity.
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
The latest addition to the series, Assassin's Creed Shadows, is set to release on March 20. While no new mainline games have been announced, several remakes of older Assassin's Creed titles are reportedly 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.
