Assassin's Creed: Chronological Play Guide

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise has captivated gamers for 18 years, taking them on a thrilling journey through the millennia-spanning conflict between the Assassins and the Templars. Spanning five continents and covering 2,300 years of history, the series has explored diverse settings from Ancient Greece to Victorian London across 13 mainline games.

With the upcoming release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, we’ve crafted a comprehensive timeline of the Assassin’s Creed series. This chronology focuses solely on the mainline games, as the spinoffs, while entertaining, do not significantly impact the overarching narrative.

For a deeper dive into the historical eras featured in Assassin's Creed, explore our detailed 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 comprises 14 mainline games and 17 spinoffs. Beyond video games, the franchise also includes an Assassin's Creed board game and a forthcoming TV series on 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 begin with an era that piques your interest. For a compelling narrative, the Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) stands out with its rich storytelling. If you prefer more recent titles, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers an engaging pirate-themed adventure, 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 experience the Assassin’s Creed series. The first is by following the modern-day storyline, which connects each mainline game. This approach allows you to witness the evolution of the series from stealth-action to open-world RPGs. To follow this path, refer to the section on playing by release date.

The second option is to play the games according to their historical settings. While the historical narratives are less interconnected, they offer a fascinating journey through different eras. This method is ideal for those interested in history and setting rather than the overarching story.

The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order

We've crafted brief plot summaries below to guide newcomers through the series with 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, taking players back to the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens. You play as Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of King Leonidas I, navigating a world filled with historical figures like Hippocrates, Socrates, and Plato, alongside mythical creatures like the Sphinx and Medusa. The game introduces the Spear of Leonidas, a key Piece of Eden, before the formation of the Assassin and Templar orders.

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

Assassin's Creed Origins marks a soft reboot of the franchise, introducing RPG elements and setting the stage in Ancient Egypt during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra. The story begins as a tale of vengeance for Bayek and Aya, whose journey leads them to uncover the Order of the Ancients, eventually forming the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins. The modern storyline introduces Layla Hassan, who becomes the protagonist for 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

Assassin's Creed Mirage, released in 2023, returns to the series' roots with a stealth-focused adventure in 9th Century Baghdad. The game follows Basim Ibn Ishaq, a young street thief with prophetic visions, who later becomes a pivotal figure in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Unlike other entries, Mirage does not heavily feature a present-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 immerses players in Norse history and mythology, making it the largest game in the series to date. You follow Eivor and their clan's journey from Norway to England, blending historical figures like King Harald Fairhair with mythical entities like Odin. The game continues the saga of the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients, while concluding Layla Hassan's arc in the modern-day storyline.

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 original Assassin's Creed game introduces Altair Ibn'La-Ahad during the Third Crusade, laying the foundation for the series' core mechanics and narrative elements like the Animus and Pieces of Eden. Altair's mission to assassinate nine Templars intertwines with Desmond Miles' journey in the present day, setting the stage for 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 Ezio Auditore da Firenze, whose trilogy spans from 2009 to 2011. Ezio's journey begins with a quest for vengeance against those who killed his family, leading him to uncover a larger conspiracy and engage with historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli. In the present, Desmond begins his collaboration with the modern 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 his efforts to rebuild the Assassins Guild in Rome and retrieve the Apple of Eden. The modern-day narrative follows Desmond and his team as they search for the same artifact to prevent an impending 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

The final chapter of Ezio's trilogy, Assassin's Creed Revelations, takes him to Constantinople in search of Altair's hidden library. Ezio's journey intertwines with Altair's memories, culminating in revelations about his role in the larger Assassin's Creed narrative. In the present, Desmond navigates 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

Assassin's Creed Shadows transports players to Feudal Japan during the late Sengoku period. The game features dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, whose paths cross in a tale of vengeance. Unlike Mirage, Shadows introduces the Animus Hub, a platform that integrates the entire Assassin's Creed series and adds modern-day subplots.

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. You play as Edward Kenway, a pirate who becomes embroiled in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The modern-day story follows an Abstergo employee reliving Connor Kenway's life to create a film.

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 Black Flag and Assassin's Creed III, following Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin who turns Templar. The game features Haytham Kenway and focuses on Shay's hunt for a Piece of Eden. In the present, you play as an Abstergo employee known 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

Set during the American Revolution, Assassin's Creed III follows Connor Kenway's quest to protect his tribe and the First Civilization's Grand Temple from the Templars. The game features historical figures like George Washington and concludes Desmond's arc in the modern-day 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

Assassin's Creed Unity is set during the French Revolution, following Arno Dorian's journey through vengeance and the Assassin-Templar conflict. The modern-day story features a Helix player, with minimal impact on the overarching narrative.

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 introduces twin protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye, who work to liberate London from Templar control. Set in 1868, the game features historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Darwin. The modern-day storyline follows the same Helix player from Unity.

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

Ubisoft's latest addition to the Assassin's Creed series is Assassin's Creed Shadows, set to release on March 20. While no information on future mainline games is available, several remakes of older titles are in development. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed series is in production at Netflix, and Tencent's mobile-exclusive title, Assassin's Creed Jade, has been delayed to 2025.

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