The Assassin's Creed franchise has evolved from a social stealth experiment into one of the most significant pillars of the open-world genre. Since its debut in 2007, the series has navigated through different historical eras, gameplay philosophies, and technological shifts. For players looking to understand the growth of the Brotherhood, tracking the series through its release order provides the clearest perspective on how Ubisoft’s design language has matured.

Fast Reference List for All Assassin's Creed Mainline Games

For a quick look at the production timeline, here are the mainline entries in the order they were released to the public:

  1. Assassin’s Creed (2007)
  2. Assassin’s Creed II (2009)
  3. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010)
  4. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011)
  5. Assassin’s Creed III (2012)
  6. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013)
  7. Assassin’s Creed Rogue (2014)
  8. Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014)
  9. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015)
  10. Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017)
  11. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018)
  12. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020)
  13. Assassin’s Creed Mirage (2023)
  14. Assassin’s Creed Shadows (2025)

The First Era of Assassins and the Desmond Miles Saga

The inception of Assassin’s Creed was born from the desire to create a spiritual successor to Prince of Persia, focusing on open-world freedom and historical authenticity. This first period is defined by a linear modern-day narrative following Desmond Miles and a heavy emphasis on "Social Stealth."

Assassin’s Creed (2007)

Released in November 2007, the original Assassin’s Creed introduced the world to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad during the Third Crusade in 1191 AD. The game was revolutionary for its time, featuring a massive crowd system and the ability to climb almost any surface. The gameplay loop was structured around "Investigations"—eavesdropping, pickpocketing, and interrogation—leading up to a high-profile assassination. While the mission variety was somewhat limited by modern standards, it established the core pillars: Stealth, Parkour, and Combat.

The Ezio Auditore Trilogy (2009–2011)

Following the success of the first game, Ubisoft released a trio of titles featuring Ezio Auditore da Firenze, often considered the most iconic protagonist in the series.

  • Assassin’s Creed II (2009): Set in Renaissance Italy, this sequel dramatically expanded the scope. It introduced an economy system, villa upgrades, and a wider array of gadgets provided by Leonardo da Vinci. The combat became more fluid with the addition of dual hidden blades and disarming mechanics.
  • Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010): This entry continued Ezio’s story in Rome. Its headline feature was the "Brotherhood" system, allowing players to recruit citizens, train them as assassins, and call them into battle with a single button press. It also introduced the series' first competitive multiplayer mode.
  • Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011): The final chapter for Ezio and Altaïr took place in Constantinople. It introduced the Hookblade for faster parkour and ziplining, along with a bomb-crafting system and a "Den Defense" strategy mini-game.

Assassin’s Creed III (2012)

The 2012 release marked the conclusion of Desmond Miles' story. Set during the American Revolution, players controlled Connor (Ratonhnhaké:ton). This title utilized the updated AnvilNext engine, enabling massive forest environments and dynamic weather. Most notably, it introduced naval combat, a mechanic that would eventually redefine the franchise's direction in subsequent years. The parkour was also revamped to allow for more natural movement through trees and uneven terrain.

The Transition Era and the Kenway Saga

After the conclusion of the Desmond saga, the series moved into a period of experimentation. The narrative shifted to "Abstergo Entertainment" employees exploring memories as a product, while gameplay leaned heavily into seafaring and urban density.

Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag (2013)

Often cited as a fan favorite, Black Flag pivoted toward a pirate-themed adventure in the Caribbean. Players took on the role of Edward Kenway, a privateer-turned-assassin. The game seamlessly integrated land exploration with ship-to-ship combat on the Jackdaw. It moved away from the rigid "urban jungle" feel of previous games, offering a massive oceanic playground that felt more like a swashbuckling RPG than a traditional stealth game.

Assassin’s Creed Rogue and Unity (2014)

In 2014, Ubisoft released two distinct titles for different console generations.

  • Assassin’s Creed Rogue: Originally for PS3 and Xbox 360, Rogue acted as a bridge between the American saga and the French Revolution. Players controlled Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin who defects to the Templar Order. It refined the naval mechanics of Black Flag while providing a rare perspective on the antagonist faction.
  • Assassin’s Creed Unity: Designed for the then-new PS4 and Xbox One, Unity aimed for extreme graphical fidelity and scale in French Revolution-era Paris. It introduced a dedicated "Parkour Down" system and massive crowd simulations. Despite a rocky technical launch, Unity is remembered today for having the most complex and fluid parkour in the entire franchise, as well as co-operative multiplayer missions.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015)

The last game of the "traditional" style before the RPG reboot, Syndicate was set in Victorian London. It featured dual protagonists, Jacob and Evie Frye. To navigate the wide streets of the industrial city, Ubisoft introduced a Rope Launcher (similar to Batman’s grapple) and horse-drawn carriages. The combat became faster and more "brawly," reflecting the gritty underworld of London’s gangs.

The Massive Action RPG Expansion

After a year-long hiatus in 2016, the franchise returned with a fundamental reimagining. The "Period Two" of development saw the series adopt full RPG mechanics, including level-gating, loot rarity, and dialogue choices.

Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017)

Set in Ancient Egypt, Origins served as a prequel detailing the birth of the "Hidden Ones" (the precursors to the Assassins). It moved the combat from a "paired animation" counter-heavy system to a hitbox-based system inspired by games like Dark Souls. The world was no longer just a city, but an entire country with diverse biomes. The introduction of Senu, a scouting eagle, replaced the traditional "Eagle Vision."

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018)

Odyssey pushed the RPG elements even further. Set in Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War, it allowed players to choose between two protagonists, Kassandra or Alexios. This was the first mainline entry to feature a branching narrative with multiple endings and romance options. Seafaring returned in a major way, and players could unlock supernatural abilities tied to the "Spear of Leonidas," an Isu artifact.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020)

Valhalla followed the Viking expansion into England during the 9th century. As Eivor, players managed a settlement (Ravensthorpe) and engaged in massive river raids. The game attempted to balance the RPG systems of the previous two games with "Insta-kill" hidden blade options and social stealth elements for long-time fans. It featured a massive post-launch support cycle, including the "Dawn of Ragnarök" expansion, which leaned heavily into Norse mythology.

The Modern Refinement and Future Direction

As the series approached its 15th anniversary, Ubisoft recognized a divide in the fanbase between those who loved the massive RPGs and those who missed the focused stealth of the earlier entries.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage (2023)

Marketed as a "return to the roots," Mirage was a smaller, more focused experience set in 9th-century Baghdad. It followed Basim Ibn Ishaq, a key character from Valhalla, in his younger years. The gameplay removed the leveling system and emphasized investigation, parkour, and stealth assassinations. The map size was comparable to earlier entries like Unity or Brotherhood, providing a nostalgic experience for veteran players.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (2025)

The upcoming entry, Shadows, takes the series to Feudal Japan—a setting fans have requested for over a decade. It features two distinct protagonists: Naoe, a shinobi focusing on traditional stealth, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai focusing on direct combat. Shadows is expected to integrate the lessons from the RPG era with refined stealth mechanics, including light and shadow manipulation and a destructible environment system.

Notable Spin-offs and Side Stories

While the mainline games receive the most attention, the release order also includes several significant spin-offs that expanded the lore:

  • Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation (2012): Originally released for the PS Vita, it featured Aveline de Grandpré in New Orleans. It introduced a "Persona" system where Aveline could change outfits to blend into different social classes.
  • Assassin’s Creed Chronicles (2015-2016): A trilogy of 2.5D side-scrolling games set in China, India, and Russia. These games focused on specific art styles and classic stealth puzzles.
  • Assassin’s Creed Freedom Cry (2014): Initially a DLC for Black Flag, it was later released as a standalone title. It follows Adéwalé, Edward Kenway’s first mate, as he fights against the slave trade in Saint-Domingue.

Release Order vs Chronological Timeline

It is important to note that the release order is vastly different from the historical timeline. If you were to play the games based on the era they are set in, the order would look like this:

  1. Odyssey (431 BC)
  2. Origins (49 BC)
  3. Shadows (1579 AD - Future Release)
  4. Mirage (861 AD)
  5. Valhalla (873 AD)
  6. Assassin’s Creed (1191 AD)
  7. Assassin’s Creed II (1476 AD)
  8. Brotherhood (1499 AD)
  9. Revelations (1511 AD)
  10. Black Flag (1715 AD)
  11. Rogue (1752 AD)
  12. Assassin’s Creed III (1754 AD)
  13. Unity (1789 AD)
  14. Syndicate (1868 AD)

Playing in release order is generally recommended for first-time players, as the modern-day narrative (the meta-story involving Abstergo and the Isu) is designed to be experienced in the order the games were published.

Conclusion

The release order of Assassin’s Creed is a testament to the franchise's adaptability. From the rigid social stealth of Altaïr to the sprawling Greek odyssey of Kassandra, and back to the focused shadows of Basim, the series has constantly redefined what an open-world action game can be. Whether you prefer the parkour-heavy streets of Paris or the open seas of the Caribbean, understanding the timeline of these releases helps illuminate the technological and narrative ambitions that have kept the Brotherhood relevant for nearly two decades.

FAQ

What is the best Assassin's Creed game for beginners? For those who want a modern experience, Assassin's Creed Origins is an excellent entry point as it reboots the mechanics and tells the origin story of the Brotherhood. For those who want the classic experience, starting with Assassin's Creed II or Assassin's Creed Mirage is recommended.

Do I need to play the games in release order to understand the story? While each historical story is largely self-contained, the modern-day "meta-narrative" following characters like Desmond Miles and Layla Hassan is best understood in release order.

Which Assassin's Creed game has the largest map? Assassin's Creed Odyssey currently holds the record for the largest map in the series, featuring a massive recreation of Ancient Greece and its surrounding seas.

Is Assassin's Creed Mirage a sequel to Valhalla? Narratively, Mirage is a prequel to Valhalla, as it follows the character Basim before the events of the Viking expansion. However, it was released after Valhalla.