The Assassin’s Creed franchise has grown from a specialized stealth project into one of the most significant open-world sagas in gaming history. Navigating the series can be complex because the release dates of the games do not align with the historical periods they depict. For the most coherent experience, especially regarding the overarching modern-day narrative involving Abstergo and the Isu, playing in the order of release is widely recommended.

Mainline Assassin’s Creed Games in Release Order

The following sequence tracks the evolution of the series from its social stealth roots to its massive role-playing game (RPG) expansions.

Assassin’s Creed (2007)

The series began with Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad during the Third Crusade in 1191. This title established the core pillars: parkour, social stealth, and the "Hidden Blade." In our analysis of the original mechanics, the game’s repetitive mission structure is offset by its incredible atmosphere and the introduction of the Animus. It laid the groundwork for the conflict between the Assassins (who fight for free will) and the Templars (who seek order through control).

Assassin’s Creed II (2009)

Often cited as the peak of the classic era, this game introduced Ezio Auditore da Firenze and moved the setting to Renaissance Italy. The gameplay saw massive improvements, including a monetary system, villa management, and a deeper variety of assassination methods. The shift from Altaïr’s stoicism to Ezio’s charismatic vengeance arc remains a benchmark for character development in the franchise.

Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010)

A direct sequel to the second game, Brotherhood brought Ezio to Rome. The standout feature here was the recruitment system, allowing players to build their own brotherhood of assassins to call upon during combat. From a technical standpoint, this was the first entry to introduce a competitive multiplayer mode, which gained a dedicated cult following for its unique "cat-and-mouse" stealth mechanics.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011)

Concluding the Ezio trilogy, Revelations took the story to Constantinople. It introduced the Hookblade, which enhanced parkour speed and combat versatility. While some critics at the time felt the "Den Defense" tower defense mini-game was a distraction, the narrative payoff—connecting the lives of Altaïr, Ezio, and the modern-day protagonist Desmond Miles—remains one of the most emotional moments in the series.

Assassin’s Creed III (2012)

This title shifted to the American Revolution, introducing Connor (Ratonhnhaké:ton). It utilized the AnvilNext engine, which allowed for massive battles and a highly fluid parkour system in natural environments like the Frontier. It also introduced naval combat, a mechanic that would eventually define the next several years of the franchise. The modern-day storyline reached its first major climax here, concluding Desmond Miles' initial journey.

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013)

Widely considered one of the best pirate games ever made, Black Flag follows Edward Kenway in the Golden Age of Piracy. In our testing, the seamless transition from land-based parkour to ship-to-ship naval combat felt revolutionary for 2013. While it leaned less on the traditional "Assassins vs. Templars" ideology initially, it offered a vast, vibrant Caribbean open world that remains a fan favorite.

Assassin’s Creed Rogue (2014)

Released alongside Unity for older generation consoles, Rogue tells the story from the perspective of Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin who defects to the Templars. It serves as a narrative bridge between Black Flag and AC III, utilizing the same naval mechanics while providing a rare, sympathetic look at the Templar Order.

Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014)

Set during the French Revolution, Unity was ambitious but faced a notorious launch due to technical bugs. However, years of patches have revealed it to be perhaps the most "pure" assassin experience. The parkour system was completely overhauled with "Parkour Up" and "Parkour Down" controls, providing unparalleled fluidity. The 1:1 scale of Paris remains one of the most detailed urban environments ever created in gaming.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015)

Syndicate moved the series to Victorian London and introduced dual protagonists, Jacob and Evie Frye. To navigate the wider streets of industrial London, the game added a rope launcher (grappling hook) and horse-drawn carriages. The tone was notably lighter than Unity, focusing on gang warfare and the liberation of London’s boroughs.

Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017)

After a one-year hiatus, the series underwent a "soft reboot" with Origins. Set in Ancient Egypt, it transitioned the series into a full-scale Action-RPG. The combat moved away from counter-based animations to a hitbox-based system. Playing as Bayek of Siwa, players witnessed the literal birth of the "Hidden Ones" (the precursors to the Assassins). This title also introduced Layla Hassan, the new modern-day protagonist.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018)

Odyssey pushed the RPG elements even further, set during the Peloponnesian War in Ancient Greece. It introduced dialogue choices, branching narrative paths, and the ability to choose between two protagonists, Kassandra or Alexios. In our extensive playthrough, the removal of the Hidden Blade (replaced by the Spear of Leonidas) and the emphasis on demigod-like abilities marked the series' furthest departure from its stealth origins.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020)

Focusing on the Viking invasion of England, Valhalla features Eivor Varinsdottir. The game emphasizes settlement building and large-scale raids. It attempted to balance the RPG scale of Odyssey with the stealth expectations of older fans by reintroducing the "insta-kill" hidden blade and social stealth (blending into crowds). The modern-day ending of Valhalla is particularly significant, as it recontextualizes much of the series' lore regarding the Isu.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage (2023)

Mirage was a conscious "return to roots" title. Set in 9th-century Baghdad, it follows Basim Ibn Ishaq (first introduced in Valhalla). The game is significantly shorter and more focused on stealth, assassination tools, and parkour than the previous three RPG entries. Our technical review of Mirage noted that while the scale is smaller, the density of the city and the emphasis on "black box" missions (open-ended assassination targets) successfully captured the feel of the 2007–2011 era.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Coming 2025)

Scheduled for release in early 2025, Shadows finally brings the series to Feudal Japan. It features two distinct protagonists: Naoe, a shinobi focusing on traditional stealth, and Yasuke, a samurai focusing on heavy combat. This title is expected to utilize a more advanced version of the engine, featuring dynamic seasons and destructible environments.

The Chronological Timeline of Historical Settings

If you prefer to experience the history of the world as it happened—ignoring the modern-day release sequence—the order changes dramatically. This timeline begins long before the Brotherhood was officially named.

  1. 431 BC – 422 BC: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (Ancient Greece)
  2. 49 BC – 44 BC: Assassin’s Creed Origins (Ancient Egypt)
  3. 861 AD: Assassin’s Creed Mirage (9th-century Baghdad)
  4. 872 AD – 878 AD: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Viking Age England)
  5. 1191 AD: Assassin’s Creed (The Third Crusade)
  6. 1459 AD – 1500 AD: Assassin’s Creed II (Renaissance Italy)
  7. 1499 AD – 1507 AD: Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (Rome)
  8. 1511 AD – 1512 AD: Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Constantinople)
  9. 1579 AD – 1580s: Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Sengoku Period Japan)
  10. 1715 AD – 1722 AD: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (Golden Age of Piracy)
  11. 1735 AD – 1737 AD: Assassin’s Creed Freedom Cry (Slave Rebellion in Haiti)
  12. 1752 AD – 1760 AD: Assassin’s Creed Rogue (Seven Years' War)
  13. 1754 AD – 1783 AD: Assassin’s Creed III (American Revolution)
  14. 1765 AD – 1777 AD: Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation (New Orleans)
  15. 1776 AD – 1808 AD: Assassin’s Creed Unity (French Revolution)
  16. 1868 AD: Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (Victorian London)

Essential Spin-offs and Side Stories

Beyond the massive console releases, several other titles expand the lore. While not strictly necessary for the main plot, they provide valuable context for fans of specific regions or time periods.

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles Trilogy

This sub-series consists of three 2.5D side-scrolling games:

  • Chronicles: China (1526 AD): Follows Shao Jun, a student of Ezio Auditore, as she seeks revenge in China.
  • Chronicles: India (1841 AD): Set during the conflict between the Sikh Empire and the East India Company.
  • Chronicles: Russia (1918 AD): Set during the aftermath of the October Revolution, featuring Nikolai Orelov.

Portable and Mobile Entries

  • Assassin’s Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles (2008): A prequel to the first game for Nintendo DS and mobile.
  • Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines (2009): A PSP title that bridges the gap between AC1 and AC2, explaining Altaïr’s journey to Cyprus.
  • Assassin’s Creed Identity (2016): An Action-RPG for mobile platforms set during the Italian Renaissance.

Comparing the Gameplay Eras

The franchise can be divided into three distinct gameplay "eras." Understanding these help players decide which "order" suits their gaming preference.

The Social Stealth Era (2007–2011)

These games (AC1 through Revelations) are defined by their focus on the "crowd as a weapon." Players must blend in, use haystacks, and plan precise strikes. The combat is heavily based on counter-kills, where timing a single button press can end a fight instantly.

The Action-Adventure Era (2012–2015)

Starting with AC III and ending with Syndicate, this era moved toward more fluid, aggressive combat and expanded exploration. Naval combat became a major pillar during this time. The cities became more vertical and dense, requiring faster traversal tools like the rope launcher in Syndicate.

The RPG Era (2017–2020)

Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla transformed the series into massive open-world RPGs. These games feature gear rarity (looting), skill trees, and level-gated regions. Combat is much more active, requiring dodging, parrying, and managing special ability cooldowns.

Which Order Should You Play First?

For most players, the Release Order is the superior choice. The modern-day story—which involves characters like Desmond Miles and Layla Hassan discovering the secrets of the Isu—unfolds chronologically according to the release dates. If you play Odyssey first because it is set in 431 BC, the modern-day segments will contain massive spoilers and confusing references to events that "haven't happened yet" in the real-world timeline of 2007–2012.

However, if you have no interest in the modern-day "sci-fi" framing and only care about historical settings, the Historical Chronological Order allows you to see the evolution of human civilization and the secret war through the ages.

Summary

The Assassin’s Creed series is a sprawling epic that covers over 2,400 years of human history. Whether you start with the original 2007 classic to see where it all began, or jump into the massive RPG worlds of Egypt and Greece, the series offers a unique blend of historical tourism and stealth action. With Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the horizon for 2025, there has never been a better time to catch up on the brotherhood's journey.

FAQ

What is the first Assassin's Creed game?

The first game is titled Assassin's Creed, released in 2007, featuring the protagonist Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad during the Third Crusade.

Do I need to play Assassin's Creed in order?

While each historical story is somewhat self-contained, the modern-day narrative is continuous. It is highly recommended to play the mainline games in release order to avoid spoilers and confusion regarding the modern-day plot.

What is the Ezio Trilogy?

The Ezio Trilogy consists of Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, and Assassin's Creed: Revelations. It follows the life of Ezio Auditore from birth to his final days as a Mentor.

Is Assassin's Creed Mirage an RPG?

No, Assassin's Creed Mirage moved away from the heavy RPG mechanics of Valhalla and Odyssey, focusing instead on stealth, parkour, and a smaller, more dense urban environment similar to the earlier games in the series.

When does Assassin's Creed Shadows take place?

Assassin's Creed Shadows is set in the 1570s and 1580s during the Sengoku period in Feudal Japan.