Assassin's Creed Shadows, the latest installment in this sprawling saga, might seem chronologically out of place. Set in feudal Japan, it sits squarely in the middle of the series' historical timeline. That's because the Assassin's Creed franchise doesn't follow a strict chronological order; it leaps through time, exploring pivotal moments from ancient Greece's Peloponnesian War to the eve of World War I. With fourteen mainline games and counting, the resulting timeline is incredibly intricate. IGN has meticulously pieced together the centuries-spanning narrative, clarifying the overarching story and the interconnectedness of each game. This meticulously researched timeline presents the key events in chronological order.
The Isu Era: 75,000 BCE
Before we delve into the timeline, a bit of lore is necessary. Eons ago, a highly advanced civilization of god-like beings, the Isu, ruled Earth. They created humanity as servants, controlling them through powerful artifacts known as the Apples of Eden. However, humanity, tired of servitude, rebelled. Eve and Adam stole an Apple of Eden, sparking a decade-long war that ended abruptly with a devastating solar flare, wiping out the Isu and leaving humanity to inherit the Earth.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: 431 to 422 BCE - Peloponnesian War
Amidst the chaos of the Peloponnesian War in Greece, mercenary Kassandra uncovers the Cult of Kosmos, a clandestine organization manipulating the conflict. She discovers her long-lost brother, Alexios, a demigod-like weapon created by the Cult. Kassandra learns the Cult targeted Alexios due to his Isu ancestry, tracing back to the legendary Spartan King Leonidas. Kassandra thwarts the Cult's plan to dominate Greece, destroying their Isu device that predicted futures. Her quest reunites her with her father, Pythagoras, another Isu descendant, who bestows upon her the Staff of Hermes, granting immortality and appointing her guardian of Atlantis.
Assassin’s Creed Origins: 49 to 43 BCE - Ptolemaic Egypt
During Cleopatra's reign, Bayek and his son are kidnapped by the Order of the Ancients, another shadowy organization collaborating with the Cult of Kosmos. The Order seeks Bayek's bloodline to access an Isu vault. Tragedy strikes, and Bayek accidentally kills his son, fueling his quest for revenge. Bayek and his wife, Aya, dismantle the Order, exposing their global conspiracy to control politics and religion through Isu artifacts. They establish the Hidden Ones, a secret society of assassins operating across Egypt and Rome.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage: 861 - Islamic Golden Age
Centuries later, the Hidden Ones, now based in Alamut, Iran, train Basim Ibn Ishaq, a Baghdad thief. Basim investigates the Order of the Ancients in Baghdad, uncovering their pursuit of an Isu temple beneath Alamut. He helps defend Alamut and discovers a technologically advanced prison holding Loki, an Isu considered a god by the Norse. Basim learns of his own connection to Loki and vows revenge.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: 872 to 878 - Viking Invasion of England
Basim accompanies Vikings to England, continuing his hunt for the Order. Sigurd and Eivor, the clan's leaders, establish Ravensthorpe while battling King Alfred, a Templar aiming for a Christian world order. Basim reveals Eivor and Sigurd's Isu heritage as reincarnations of Odin and Týr, seeking revenge. Eivor survives Basim's attack, trapping him in a Yggdrasil-shaped Isu simulation. Eivor defeats Alfred and becomes a hero, leaving Basim trapped.
Assassin’s Creed: 1191 - Third Crusade
The Hidden Ones evolve into the Assassin Brotherhood, facing the Knights Templar, the evolved Order of the Ancients. Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad steals an Apple of Eden, leading to a quest to assassinate nine Templar leaders. He uncovers Al Mualim's treachery, killing his mentor to prevent the misuse of the Apple.
Assassin’s Creed 2: 1476 to 1499 - Italian Renaissance
Ezio Auditore da Firenze joins the Assassins, seeking revenge against the Templars. He acquires an Apple of Eden, revealing an Isu vault beneath the Vatican. Ezio confronts Rodrigo Borgia, the Templar Pope, and accesses the vault, encountering Minerva, who foretells a 2012 apocalypse and reveals a network of Isu vaults.
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood: 1499 to 1507 - Italian Renaissance
Ezio rebuilds the Assassin Brotherhood, reclaiming the Apple of Eden and hiding it in a Roman Colosseum vault.
Assassin’s Creed Revelations: 1511 to 1512 - Ottoman Civil War
Ezio investigates Altaïr's library in Masyaf, thwarting Templar efforts to access it. He discovers Altaïr's remains and a message from Jupiter revealing the Grand Temple, leaving the Apple untouched.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows: 1579 - Sengoku Period
In 16th-century Japan, Yasuke, an African mercenary, aids Oda Nobunaga, uniting with Naoe, a shinobi, in a shared quest. (Further details are currently limited).
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag: 1715 to 1722 - Golden Age of Piracy
Edward Kenway becomes embroiled in a Templar conspiracy involving The Observatory, an Isu device. He allies with Bartholomew Roberts, the Sage, but eventually reclaims The Observatory and seals away its power source.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue: 1752 to 1776 - French and Indian War
Shay Patrick Cormac, disillusioned by the Assassins, joins the Templars, hunting down Isu artifacts and preventing the Assassins from discovering more temples. He suggests a French revolution to counter the Assassins' American uprising.
Assassin’s Creed 3: 1754 to 1783 - American Revolution
Connor Kenway, son of Haytham Kenway, becomes an Assassin, fighting the Templars during the American Revolution and ultimately killing his father. He secures the key to the Grand Temple, preventing Templar access.
Assassin’s Creed Liberation: 1765 to 1777 - Spanish Occupation of Louisiana
Aveline de Grandpré disrupts a Templar plot to control Louisiana, uncovering a larger conspiracy involving slaves and an Isu device, the Prophecy Disk. She confronts her stepmother, the Company Man.
Assassin’s Creed Unity: 1789 to 1794 - French Revolution
Arno Dorian seeks revenge for his father's murder, uncovering a Templar plot to ignite the French Revolution. He confronts François-Thomas Germain, the Sage, and seals his remains in the Paris Catacombs.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: 1868 - Victorian England
Jacob and Evie Frye battle the Templars in Victorian London, recovering The Shroud and thwarting Templar plans to control the city. Evie later kills Jack the Ripper, and her daughter, Lydia, eliminates a Templar spy network during World War I.
Transition Period: 1914 to 2012
The Templars establish Abstergo Industries, using the Animus to explore the memories of Assassin ancestors.
Assassin’s Creed 1, 2, Brotherhood, Revelations, and 3: 2012
Desmond Miles, an Assassin ancestor, uses the Animus to locate Isu artifacts, preventing the apocalypse but sacrificing himself.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag: 2013
Abstergo continues its search for Isu technology, using Edward Kenway's memories. The Noob is targeted by the modern-day Sage, John Standish.
Assassin’s Creed Unity: 2014
An initiate relives Arno Dorian's memories, locating the remains of François-Thomas Germain.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: 2015
The initiate explores Jacob and Evie Frye's memories, discovering The Shroud and Abstergo's plans to create a living Isu.
Assassin’s Creed Origins: 2017
Layla Hassan uses Bayek and Aya's DNA to relive their memories and joins the Assassin Brotherhood.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: 2018
Layla explores Kassandra's memories, discovering Atlantis and receiving the Staff of Hermes.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: 2020
Layla explores Eivor's memories, discovering Yggdrasil and working with Basim and Desmond's consciousness to prevent future apocalypses.
Assassin's Creed: The Complete Playlist
[Images of various Assassin's Creed games]
