Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise has traversed an impressive historical landscape over its 18-year run. The epic saga of the Assassin-Templar conflict has taken players on journeys across five continents, from the ancient world of Greece to the bustling streets of Victorian London, covering a staggering 2,300 years of history through 13 mainline games.
With the much-anticipated release of Assassin's Creed Shadows on the horizon, we've compiled a comprehensive chronology of the Assassin's Creed timeline to date. This timeline focuses exclusively on the mainline Assassin's Creed games, as the spinoffs, while enjoyable, do not significantly impact the overarching narrative.
For a deeper dive into the historical settings of Assassin's Creed games, explore our complete 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
How Many Assassin's Creed Games Are There?
The Assassin's Creed series currently boasts 14 mainline games and 17 spinoffs. Beyond video games, fans can also look forward to an Assassin's Creed board game and a rumored TV series in development at Netflix.
Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?
With numerous entry points into the Assassin's Creed timeline, choosing where to start can be daunting. For those intrigued by historical settings, I recommend selecting the game that aligns with your favorite era. However, the original Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is renowned for its compelling narrative and character development. If you're interested in more recent titles, consider starting with Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, which offers thrilling pirate adventures, or Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which immerses you in the rich 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 option is to follow the modern-day storyline, which progresses with each game's release. This method is ideal for experiencing the full narrative arc and the evolution of the series from stealth-based action to expansive open-world RPGs. You can find the recommended order in the "How to Play the Assassin's Creed Games By Release Date" section below.
The second option is to play the games in the order of their historical settings, which offers a fascinating journey through different eras. While the historical narratives are less interconnected than the modern-day plots, they form the bulk of the gameplay experience.
The Assassin's Creed Games in Chronological Order
For 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 the RPG genre, expanding on the elements introduced in Origins. Players embody Cassandra or Alexios, the grandchildren of King Leonidas I of Sparta, navigating the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens. The game weaves historical figures such as Hippocrates, Socrates, and Plato with mythological elements, including encounters with the Sphinx, Cyclops, and Medusa. Odyssey predates the formal establishment of the Assassin and Templar orders but includes a pivotal 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 year's hiatus, Ubisoft returned in 2017 with Assassin's Creed Origins, a soft reboot that introduced RPG mechanics to the franchise. Set 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 them to uncover the Order of the Ancients, a precursor to the Templars. Their journey results in the formation of the Hidden Ones, the first incarnation of the Assassins. In the modern storyline, Layla Hassan is introduced, becoming 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
Released in 2023, Assassin's Creed Mirage marks the latest entry in the series. Unlike the full-priced open-world RPGs of recent years, Mirage is a $50 USD stealth-focused adventure, designed as a tribute to the original Assassin's Creed games. It follows 17-year-old Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief plagued by nightmarish visions, as he escapes Baghdad and journeys to the Hidden Ones' fortress of Alamut under the guidance of his mentor, Roshan. Unlike other entries, Mirage does not feature 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 is the series' foray into Norse history and mythology, offering the largest game in the franchise to date. Players take on the role of Eivor, navigating their clan's migration from a resource-scarce Norway to the fertile lands of England. The game intertwines historical figures like King Harald Fairhair and mythological beings such as Fenrir and Odin, while continuing the conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients. The modern-day narrative concludes Layla Hassan's arc across three games.
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, setting the stage for the franchise's enduring success. Players explore the Third Crusade, with Altair tasked with eliminating nine Templars. This game establishes key elements like the Pieces of Eden and the Animus, the device that enables modern protagonists to relive their ancestors' memories. The modern storyline introduces Desmond Miles, whose journey continues through the Assassin-Templar conflict in subsequent 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 introduces Ezio Auditore da Firenze, one of the series' most beloved characters. Ezio's journey spans from 2009's AC II through 2011's AC: Revelations, driven by vengeance for his family's murder. His quest leads him across Italy, interacting with historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli. In the modern day, Desmond begins working with the Assassins, uncovering deeper layers of the conflict.
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 from AC II, as he seeks to rebuild Rome's weakened Assassin Guild and retrieve the Apple of Eden. In the present, Desmond and his allies travel to Italy in search of the same artifact, hoping to prevent an apocalyptic event.
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 journey to Constantinople in pursuit of Altair's hidden library. The game intertwines Ezio's story with Altair's memories, culminating in Ezio's pivotal role in the Assassin's Creed narrative. In the modern storyline, Desmond, trapped in the Animus, navigates "the Black Room" to regain 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's civil wars. The game features dual protagonists: Yasuke, an African mercenary turned samurai serving Oda Nobunaga, and Naoe, a shinobi-in-training from the Iga province. Their paths cross in a quest for vengeance. Like Mirage, Shadows lacks a dedicated modern-day protagonist but introduces the Animus Hub, a unified platform for the franchise 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 innovative naval gameplay. Players take on the role of Edward Kenway, a pirate and grandfather to AC III's Connor Kenway. The game features historical pirates like Blackbeard and introduces Adéwalé, later the star of the Freedom Cry spinoff. Edward's adventures lead him into the Assassin-Templar conflict and the search for the Observatory, a First Civilization site. In the modern storyline, an unnamed Abstergo employee uncovers the truth behind their employer's sinister intentions.
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. His journey involves hunting a Piece of Eden and intersecting with Haytham Kenway, father of AC III's Connor. In the modern day, players take on the role of another Abstergo employee, known as "Numbskull," serving the Templars' agenda.
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 Ratonhnhaké:ton, also known as Connor, during the American Revolution. Players guide Connor as he seeks to protect his tribe and the First Civilization's Grand Temple from Templar control. The game features historical figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. The modern storyline concludes Desmond's journey as he and his allies attempt to avert an apocalyptic event in the Grand Temple.
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 entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict and seeking vengeance. The game features historical figures like Napoléon Bonaparte and King Louis XVI. The modern-day storyline, presented through cutscenes, involves a player using Abstergo's Helix gaming software, which serves as a tool for Templar propaganda and DNA collection.
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, as they work to liberate London from Templar control and find a Piece of Eden. Set in 1868, the game includes historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Darwin. The modern storyline follows the same Helix player from Unity, now aiding the Assassins in locating another Piece of Eden in London.
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 entry, Assassin's Creed Shadows, is set to release on March 20. While details on future mainline games remain scarce, Ubisoft's CEO has confirmed that remakes of older Assassin's Creed titles are in development. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed series is reportedly in production at Netflix, and Tencent's mobile-exclusive title, Assassin's Creed Jade, has been delayed to 2025.
