Assassin's Creed: Chronological Play Guide

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise has traversed an impressive historical landscape over its 18-year tenure, taking players on an epic journey across five continents, from the sands of Ancient Egypt to the bustling streets of Victorian London. Spanning an astounding 2,300 years of history, the series has captivated fans through 13 mainline games, each delving into the age-old conflict between the Assassins and the Templars.

With the much-anticipated release of Assassin's Creed Shadows on the horizon, we've crafted a comprehensive timeline of the Assassin's Creed series to date. This timeline focuses exclusively on the mainline games, as the spinoffs, while engaging, do not significantly contribute to the overarching narrative.

For a deeper dive into the historical settings of each Assassin's Creed game, 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?

Currently, the Assassin's Creed main series boasts 14 titles, complemented by 17 spinoff games. Beyond the gaming realm, fans can 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?

Deciding where to start in the Assassin's Creed saga can be daunting, but choosing a game that aligns with your historical interests is a great approach. The Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is renowned for its compelling narrative and character development, making it an excellent entry point. For those drawn to more recent titles, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers an engaging pirate-themed adventure, while Assassin's Creed Odyssey immerses players 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 Game In Order

There are two primary ways to experience the Assassin’s Creed chronology. The first is by following the modern-day storylines, which connect each game's narrative through the present. This method aligns with the release order, providing a coherent progression of the overarching story and showcasing the series' evolution from stealth-action to expansive open-world RPGs.

The second option, listed below, arranges the games by their historical settings. While these historical narratives are less interconnected than their modern counterparts, they offer a fascinating journey through time, appealing to those interested in specific historical periods.

The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order

Below are brief plot summaries designed for series newcomers, containing only mild spoilers such as key 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 mechanics, marking a significant shift from stealth-based action to open-world exploration. Players embody Cassandra or Alexios, the grandchildren of King Leonidas I of Sparta. Set during the Peloponnesian War, the game interweaves historical figures like Hippocrates and Socrates with mythological elements such as the Sphinx and Medusa. Though predating the Assassin and Templar orders, Odyssey introduces 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 brief hiatus, Ubisoft returned in 2017 with Assassin's Creed Origins, a soft reboot introducing RPG elements. Set during the reign of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the game follows Bayek and Aya as they seek vengeance for their son's death, uncovering the Order of the Ancients, a precursor to the Templars. Their journey leads to the formation of the Hidden Ones, the first incarnation of the Assassins. In the present day, Layla Hassan navigates the modern narrative arc.

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 departure from the expansive RPGs, focusing instead on a more narrative-driven, stealth-centric experience. It follows the young Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief with mysterious visions, on his journey from Baghdad to the Hidden Ones' fortress of Alamut. Unlike other entries, Mirage does not prominently feature the 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 dives into Norse history and mythology, offering the series' largest game to date. Players follow Eivor and their clan from resource-scarce Norway to the fertile lands of England. The game blends historical figures like King Harald Fairhair with mythological elements, continuing the conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients. The modern-day story 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 introduces Altair Ibn'La-Ahad and sets the stage for the series' enduring success. It establishes core gameplay elements like climbing and assassinations, alongside the time-hopping narrative involving the Pieces of Eden and the Animus. Altair's mission to hunt down nine Templars during the Third Crusade intertwines with Desmond Miles' introduction to the modern 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, whose story spans three games. Driven by the desire to avenge his family, Ezio's journey unfolds across Italy, encountering historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci and Pope Alexander VI. In the present, Desmond Miles begins his collaboration with 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 saga, focusing on rebuilding Rome's Assassins Guild and retrieving the Apple of Eden. In the present day, Desmond and his allies pursue the same artifact, seeking to avert a prophesized apocalypse.

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 conclusion of Ezio's trilogy, Revelations, sees an older Ezio seeking Altair's hidden library in Constantinople. The narrative intertwines Ezio's journey with Altair's memories, revealing the broader Assassin's Creed story. 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 Sengoku period, featuring dual protagonists with unique gameplay paths. Yasuke, an African samurai serving Oda Nobunaga, and Naoe, a shinobi from Iga, unite in a quest for vengeance. Like Mirage, Shadows lacks a modern-day protagonist, instead integrating with the Animus Hub for additional 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 introduces iconic naval gameplay, set two centuries after Ezio's trilogy. Players follow pirate Edward Kenway, grandfather of Connor Kenway from Assassin's Creed III, as he navigates the Assassin-Templar conflict and hunts for The Observatory, a First Civilization site. The modern-day narrative involves an Abstergo employee reliving Connor's life for a film project.

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 narratives of AC III and AC IV, following Shay Patrick Cormac's transformation from Assassin to Templar. His quest involves hunting a Piece of Eden, intersecting with Haytham Kenway. In the present, another Abstergo employee, known as "Numbskull," serves 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 "Connor" Kenway
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

Assassin's Creed III primarily follows Connor Kenway during the American Revolution, as he protects his tribe and the Grand Temple from the Templars. The game is rich with historical figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. The modern-day storyline concludes Desmond's journey, culminating in the Grand Temple to avert an apocalypse.

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, who becomes entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict. Notable historical figures include Napoléon Bonaparte and King Louis XVI. The modern-day narrative, while less impactful, involves a player using Helix, Abstergo's Animus-powered software.

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 aim to liberate London from Templar control. Set in 1868, the game features historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Darwin. The modern-day story follows the same Helix player from Unity, now collaborating with the Assassins.

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 series, Assassin's Creed Shadows, is slated for release on March 20. While details about future mainline games are scarce, Ubisoft's CEO has confirmed the development of several remakes of older titles. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed series is in the works at Netflix, and Tencent's mobile-exclusive title, Assassin's Creed Jade, has been delayed to 2025.