Assassin's Creed: Chronological Play Order Guide

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Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise has traversed a vast historical landscape over its 18-year run. The iconic Assassin-Templar conflict has taken players across five continents, from Ancient Greece to Victorian London, covering an impressive span of 2,300 years through 13 mainline games. With the highly anticipated release of Assassin's Creed Shadows on the horizon, we've compiled a comprehensive chronology of the Assassin's Creed timeline. This guide focuses solely on the mainline entries, as the spinoff games, while entertaining, do not significantly impact the overarching narrative of the Assassin's Creed saga.

For a deeper dive into the historical settings of Assassin's Creed games, explore our detailed guide to 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 series boasts a robust lineup, with 14 mainline games and 17 additional spinoffs. Beyond the digital realm, the franchise has expanded into a board game and a forthcoming TV series at Netflix.

Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?

Choosing where to start in the Assassin's Creed timeline can be daunting. For newcomers, I recommend selecting a game based on the historical era that piques your interest. However, the original Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) stands out for its compelling narrative and character development. If you prefer a more recent entry, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers an engaging pirate adventure, while Assassin's Creed Odyssey immerses players 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 chronology. The first is by following the modern-day storylines, which are crucial for understanding the continuous narrative thread. Each mainline game's release corresponds to the progression of the present-day story, making this the ideal method for experiencing the franchise's evolution from stealth-action to open-world RPGs. For those committed to playing the entire series, this release order is recommended.

Alternatively, you can explore the games based on their historical settings, which offer standalone narratives set in various fascinating periods. While less interconnected than the modern-day stories, these historical arcs provide a rich tapestry of events and characters where you'll spend the majority of your gameplay.

The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order

For series newcomers, 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 embraced RPG elements, marking a significant shift from stealth-based action to open-world exploration. You step into the sandals of Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of Sparta's King Leonidas I, during the Peloponnesian War. The game introduces historical figures like Hippocrates, Socrates, and Plato, intertwining real history with mythical elements such as the Sphinx, Cyclops, and Medusa. Although set before the formal establishment of the Assassins and Templars, it features a crucial Piece of Eden, the Spear of Leonidas.

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, which served as a soft reboot and introduced RPG mechanics to the series. Set in Ancient Egypt during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the game follows Bayek and Aya, whose quest for vengeance against the killers of their son leads to the discovery of the proto-Templar organization, the Order of the Ancients. Their journey culminates in the formation of the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassin Brotherhood. In the present day, Layla Hassan's story unfolds 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

Assassin's Creed Mirage, released in 2023, is a homage to the series' origins, offering a more focused stealth adventure at a $50 USD price point. The game follows a young Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief with haunting visions, as he navigates the bustling streets of Baghdad under the guidance of his mentor, Roshan. This narrative sets the stage for Basim's pivotal role in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Unlike other entries, Mirage forgoes a 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. Players guide Eivor, a Viking warrior, as they lead their clan from resource-scarce Norway to the fertile lands of England. The game blends historical figures like King Harald Fairhair and mythological beings like Odin, continuing the saga of 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 introduced the series' core elements, including parkour and assassinations, set during the Third Crusade. Players follow Altair Ibn'La-Ahad as he targets nine Templars, while the modern-day narrative introduces Desmond Miles and the overarching Assassin-Templar conflict. This game laid the foundation for the franchise's enduring success.

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 da Firenze, who became a fan-favorite protagonist over the course of three games. Ezio's journey begins with a quest for vengeance against those who wronged his family, leading him into the heart of the Assassin-Templar conflict across Italy. The game features encounters with historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli, while Desmond's modern-day story continues to unfold.

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's story continues as he seeks to rebuild the weakened Assassin's Guild in Rome and retrieve the Apple of Eden. The modern-day plot follows Desmond and the Assassins to Italy in search of the same artifact, crucial to averting a prophesized 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 the Ezio trilogy, Assassin's Creed: Revelations, sees an aging Ezio travel to Constantinople in search of Altair's hidden library. The narrative intertwines Ezio's quest with flashbacks to Altair's life, revealing their interconnected destinies. In the modern day, Desmond navigates the Animus to escape a coma-induced "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 converge in a quest for vengeance. While Mirage and Shadows forgo their own modern-day protagonists, the latter introduces the Animus Hub, a new platform that enriches the Assassin's Creed experience with additional modern-day subplots and rewards.

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 and pirate-themed adventure. Set in the Caribbean, players control Edward Kenway, a pirate who becomes entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict after unknowingly killing an Assassin. The modern-day story follows an Abstergo employee exploring Edward's memories for a film project, with ulterior motives at play.

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 Assassin's Creed III and IV, following Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar. Shay's quest for a Piece of Eden leads him into conflict with his former allies. The modern-day narrative features another Abstergo employee, nicknamed "Numbskull," working under Templar directives.

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 Ratonhnhaké:ton, also known as Connor, during the American Revolution. As Connor seeks to protect his tribe and thwart Templar plans, the game introduces numerous historical figures like George Washington. 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, a French Assassin caught in the Assassin-Templar conflict and driven by vengeance. The game features historical figures such as Napoléon Bonaparte and King Louis XVI. The modern-day narrative, centered on a Helix player, is less impactful, focusing on cutscenes rather than gameplay.

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 while seeking a Piece of Eden. Set primarily in 1868, the game features historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Darwin. The modern-day narrative continues with the same Helix player from Unity, now aiding the Assassins in their quest.

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, Ubisoft's CEO has confirmed 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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