Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed series has captivated gamers for 18 years, taking them on thrilling journeys across five continents and through 2,300 years of history. From the bustling streets of Ancient Greece to the foggy alleys of Victorian London, the Assassin-Templar conflict has been the backbone of 13 mainline games. As we eagerly await the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, let's explore the timeline of this epic saga. This guide focuses solely on the mainline games, as they are central to the overarching Assassin's Creed narrative.
For more detailed information on the historical eras covered in Assassin's Creed, feel free to check out our comprehensive guide to the Assassin's Creed timeline.
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Mainline Assassin's Creed Games in Chronological Order
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How Many Assassin's Creed Games Are There?
The Assassin's Creed franchise boasts 14 mainline games and 17 spinoffs. Beyond video games, there's also an Assassin's Creed board game and a 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 dive into an era that piques your interest. The original Ezio trilogy—Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations—offers some of the series' finest storytelling. For a more recent entry, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers engaging pirate-themed gameplay, while Assassin's Creed Odyssey immerses you 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 timeline. The first is to follow the modern-day storyline, which progresses chronologically with each game release. This method is ideal for experiencing the evolution of the franchise from stealth-action to open-world RPGs and understanding the overarching narrative.
The second approach involves playing the games in the order of their historical settings, which allows you to explore different eras and cultures as they unfold in the series.
The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order
To help newcomers navigate the series, the following plot summaries contain only mild spoilers, focusing on broad plot points, historical settings, and character introductions.
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 mechanics, marking a significant shift from stealth-based action. You play as Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of Sparta's King Leonidas I, during the Peloponnesian War. The game intertwines historical figures like Hippocrates and Socrates with mythological creatures such as the Sphinx and Medusa. While set before the Assassin and Templar orders, it introduces the Spear of Leonidas, a crucial 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 returned with Assassin's Creed Origins in 2017, introducing RPG elements and serving as a soft reboot. Set during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the story follows Bayek and Aya as they seek vengeance for their son's death, uncovering the proto-Templar Order of the Ancients and founding the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins. Layla Hassan, the modern-day protagonist, continues her arc 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 more compact, stealth-focused adventure priced at $50 USD. It serves as an homage to the series' roots, focusing on the story of a young Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief destined to play a significant role in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Unlike other entries, Mirage lacks 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. The story follows Eivor and their clan's migration from Norway to England, amidst ongoing conflicts with the Order of the Ancients. The modern-day narrative concludes Layla Hassan's trilogy.
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, introduced the series' core concepts, including the Animus and Pieces of Eden. Altair's quest to assassinate nine Templars laid the foundation for the franchise's narrative, while Desmond Miles' introduction in the modern-day storyline set the stage for future games.
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 introduced Ezio Auditore, a fan-favorite protagonist whose journey spans three games. Ezio's quest for vengeance against the backdrop of Renaissance Italy intertwines with historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci. The modern-day storyline sees Desmond joining 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 pursues the Apple of Eden. The modern-day narrative sees Desmond and the Assassins searching for the same artifact to avert a global catastrophe.
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
In the final chapter of the Ezio trilogy, an older Ezio searches for Altair's library in Constantinople, intertwining his story with his predecessor's. The modern-day plot sees Desmond navigating 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
Set during Japan's late Sengoku period, Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, with unique gameplay paths. The game focuses on their quest for vengeance, set against the backdrop of civil wars. Unlike recent entries, Shadows does not feature a dedicated modern-day protagonist but introduces the Animus Hub for additional narrative content.
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 combat and pirate adventures. Set in the Caribbean, it follows Edward Kenway, a pirate who becomes entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The modern-day storyline involves an Abstergo employee reliving Connor's life for a film project.
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 AC III and AC IV, following Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar. The modern-day narrative involves another Abstergo employee, referred to 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
Assassin's Creed III follows Connor Kenway during the American Revolution, as he seeks to protect his tribe and the Grand Temple from Templar threats. The modern-day storyline concludes Desmond's journey as he attempts to prevent the world's end.
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's journey of vengeance amidst historical turmoil. The modern-day narrative involves a player using Abstergo's Helix software, which is less impactful on the overall story.
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 fight to liberate London from Templar control. The modern-day storyline 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 titles are in development. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed series is in the works at Netflix, and Tencent's mobile-exclusive Assassin's Creed Jade has been delayed to 2025.
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