The Assassin's Creed franchise by Ubisoft has taken gamers on an epic journey spanning 18 years and covering five continents. From the ancient streets of Greece to the bustling city of Victorian London, the series has explored over 2,300 years of history across 13 mainline games, weaving the timeless conflict between the Assassins and Templars into diverse historical settings.
With the imminent release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, we've crafted a comprehensive chronology of the Assassin's Creed timeline, focusing exclusively on the mainline games. These titles form the backbone of the Assassin's Creed narrative, offering crucial insights into the ongoing saga.
For a deeper dive into the historical periods featured in the games, please refer to our detailed guide on the Assassin's Creed timeline.
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- 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 franchise boasts 14 mainline games and 17 spinoffs. Beyond video games, fans can also enjoy an Assassin's Creed board game and anticipate a forthcoming TV series on Netflix.
Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?
Choosing a starting point in the Assassin's Creed timeline can be daunting, but it's wise to begin with a game set in an era that piques your interest. The Ezio trilogy, comprising Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations, is renowned for its compelling narrative. For a more contemporary entry, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers thrilling pirate adventures, while Assassin's Creed Odyssey immerses players in 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 following the modern-day storylines, which connect each mainline game's narrative. Playing in release order ensures a coherent experience of the present-day story and the evolution of the franchise from stealth-action to open-world RPG. For those committed to experiencing the entire saga, this is the recommended sequence.
The second option lists the games by their historical settings, offering a journey through time. While these historical narratives are less interconnected, they provide the bulk of gameplay and are ideal for those fascinated by different historical eras.
The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order
Designed with newcomers in mind, the following synopses 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 centuries before any other mainline game, Assassin's Creed Odyssey fully embraces RPG mechanics, transforming the series into an open-world RPG. Players embody either Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of Spartan King Leonidas I, during the Peloponnesian War. The game blends historical figures such as Hippocrates and Socrates with mythical creatures like the Sphinx and Medusa. Though predating the Assassin and Templar orders, Odyssey introduces the Spear of Leonidas, a significant 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 elements and serving as a soft reboot. Set in ancient Egypt during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the game follows Bayek and Aya's quest for vengeance, which evolves into a battle against the Order of the Ancients. This conflict leads to the formation of the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins. Layla Hassan's modern-day narrative also begins here, continuing through 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 homage to the series' origins, focusing on stealth and narrative over the expansive RPG elements of recent titles. Players control a young Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief with visions who eventually becomes pivotal in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Unlike other entries, Mirage lacks a significant 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 largest game in the series to date. Eivor's journey from Norway to England intertwines personal stories with the ongoing conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients. The modern-day narrative 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 and foundational gameplay elements like climbing and assassinations. Set during the Third Crusade, Altair's mission to hunt down nine Templars lays the groundwork for the series' narrative, including the Animus and Pieces of Eden. The present-day story 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, whose saga spans three games. Ezio's journey begins with vengeance for his family, leading him into the heart of the Assassin-Templar conflict across Italy. The modern-day narrative sees Desmond working 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
In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Ezio continues his quest, rebuilding the Assassins Guild in Rome while pursuing the Apple of Eden. The modern-day story 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
Assassin's Creed: Revelations concludes Ezio's trilogy, connecting his narrative with Altair's through a quest for Altair's hidden library. The present-day story follows Desmond navigating the Animus to escape a coma 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 Sengoku period, featuring dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke. Their paths converge in a quest for vengeance. This game introduces the Animus Hub, enhancing the series' connectivity without a standalone modern-day protagonist.
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, set in the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy. Edward Kenway, a pirate and grandfather to Connor Kenway, becomes entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The modern-day story follows an Abstergo employee uncovering secrets through Connor's memories.
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 bridges the narratives between Assassin's Creed III and IV, following Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar. The modern-day story involves another Abstergo employee uncovering Templar secrets.
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:ton "Connor" Kenway
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles
Assassin's Creed III unfolds during the American Revolution, with Connor Kenway fighting to protect his tribe and the First Civilization's Grand Temple. The modern-day story concludes Desmond's journey, as he and the Assassins work to prevent a global catastrophe.
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 quest for vengeance amidst the Assassin-Templar conflict. The modern-day narrative involves a player using Helix, Abstergo's Animus-powered gaming software, and is less impactful on the overarching 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 work to free London from Templar control. The modern-day narrative continues with the same Helix player from Unity, searching for another Piece of Eden.
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 Assassin's Creed series is Assassin's Creed Shadows, set to release on March 20. While details on future mainline games remain scarce, Ubisoft is working on remakes of older titles. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed series is in development at Netflix, and Tencent's mobile-exclusive Assassin's Creed Jade has been delayed to 2025.
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