Assassin's Creed: Chronological Play Guide

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise has taken players on an epic journey through history, exploring the eternal struggle between the Assassins and the Templars across five continents and spanning over 2,300 years. With the upcoming release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, we've crafted a comprehensive timeline of the mainline Assassin's Creed games to guide you through this sprawling narrative.

For more in-depth exploration of the historical eras featured in the Assassin's Creed series, delve into our full 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?

The Assassin's Creed series boasts 14 mainline games and an additional 17 spinoff titles. Beyond the digital realm, fans can enjoy an Assassin's Creed board game, and a TV series is reportedly in development at Netflix.

Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?

Choosing where to begin with Assassin's Creed can be daunting. If you're captivated by a particular historical period, start with the game set in that era. For those seeking narrative excellence, the original Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations) stands out with its compelling 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 rich tapestry 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:

1. Modern-Day Storyline Order: This follows the series' overarching narrative through the present-day storyline. Each mainline game's modern-day story progresses chronologically with its release, providing a cohesive narrative experience. This method is ideal for understanding the series' evolution from stealth-action to open-world RPGs.

2. Historical Setting Order: This approach organizes the games based on their historical settings. While the historical narratives are less interconnected than the modern-day stories, they offer an engaging journey through time, showcasing different eras and cultures.

The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order

Below, you'll find brief plot summaries of each mainline game, arranged by their historical settings. These summaries include mild spoilers such as general plot points, historical contexts, and key character introductions, tailored for newcomers to the series.

1. Assassin's Creed Odyssey (431 B.C.–422 B.C.)

Primary setting: Ancient Greece
Historic Protagonist: Cassandra or Alexios
Modern Protagonist: Layla Hassan

Assassin's Creed Odyssey takes place nearly 400 years before any other mainline game, fully embracing RPG mechanics introduced in Origins. You play as either Cassandra or Alexios, grandchildren of King Leonidas I of Sparta, navigating the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens. The game weaves historical figures like Hippocrates, Socrates, and Plato into a narrative rich with Greek mythology, featuring encounters with creatures such as the Sphinx, Cyclops, and Medusa. Set before the establishment of the Assassin and Templar orders, Odyssey 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, Assassin's Creed Origins marked a soft reboot in 2017, introducing RPG elements to the series. Set during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the game follows Bayek and Aya as they uncover the proto-Templar organization, the Order of the Ancients, and ultimately form the Hidden Ones, the precursors to the Assassins. The modern-day storyline introduces Layla Hassan, who continues her arc 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 more focused, stealth-oriented adventure priced at $50 USD. It follows 17-year-old Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief with visions, who later becomes a pivotal character in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The game is set in 9th-century Baghdad and details Basim's journey to the Hidden Ones' fortress of Alamut. 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 explores Norse history and mythology, making it the largest game in the series with a main story that can take around 60 hours to complete. You play as Eivor, leading their clan from resource-scarce Norway to the fertile lands of England. The game intertwines historical figures like King Harald Fairhair and King Aelfred the Great with Norse mythology, featuring characters like Fenrir and Odin. Valhalla continues the conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients while concluding Layla Hassan's modern-day 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 during the Third Crusade. This game lays the foundation for the series' mechanics and narrative, including the time-hopping concept via the Animus and the introduction of Pieces of Eden. In the past, Altair hunts nine Templars, while in the present, Desmond Miles begins his journey into the 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 the beloved protagonist Ezio Auditore da Firenze, whose story spans from AC II through Revelations. Ezio's quest for vengeance against those who wronged his family leads him into the heart of the Assassin-Templar conflict across Italy, interacting with historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli. In the present day, Desmond joins 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, focusing on rebuilding Rome's Assassins Guild and retrieving the Apple of Eden. In the present, Desmond and his team travel to Italy in search of the same artifact, aiming to prevent an apocalyptic prophecy.

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 Assassin's Creed Revelations, an older Ezio travels to Constantinople to uncover Altair's hidden library. The game reveals Ezio's role in the broader Assassin's Creed narrative while connecting his story with Altair's. In the present, a comatose Desmond navigates the Animus to escape 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 late Sengoku period. The game features dual protagonists: Yasuke, an African samurai serving Oda Nobunaga, and Naoe, a shinobi-in-training from Iga. Their paths cross in a quest for vengeance. Shadows introduces the Animus Hub, enhancing the modern-day experience without a dedicated 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 introduces naval combat and follows pirate Edward Kenway, grandfather of Connor Kenway from AC III. Set in the Caribbean, Edward inadvertently gets involved in the Assassin-Templar conflict while seeking the Observatory, a First Civilization site. In the present, an Abstergo employee relives Connor's life for a film project, uncovering deeper Templar motives.

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 narrative between AC III and AC IV, following Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar. The game features interactions with Haytham Kenway and focuses on Shay's hunt for a Piece of Eden. In the present, you play as an Abstergo employee, dubbed "Numbskull," aiding the modern-day Templars.

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 introduces Connor Kenway during the American Revolution, protecting his tribe and a First Civilization temple from the Templars. The game features historical figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. In the present, Desmond and his allies work to avert an apocalypse, concluding his 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

Set during the French Revolution, Assassin's Creed Unity follows Arno Dorian, a French Assassin seeking vengeance amidst the Assassin-Templar conflict. The game includes historical figures like Napoléon Bonaparte and King Louis XVI. The modern-day narrative involves a Helix player, part of Abstergo's gaming software, and lacks significant gameplay impact.

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 dual protagonists, Jacob and Evie Frye, as they combat Templar control in Victorian London and seek a Piece of Eden. Notable historical figures include Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Darwin. The modern-day story continues with the same Helix player from Unity, aiding the Assassins in locating 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 series, Assassin's Creed Shadows, is set to launch on March 20. While details on future mainline games remain scarce, Ubisoft is reportedly working on remakes of earlier 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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