Assassin's Creed: Playing Games in Chronological Order

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise has been a journey through history, spanning 18 years and exploring the epic Assassin-Templar conflict across five continents. From the ancient streets of Greece to the bustling alleys of Victorian London, the series has covered over 2,300 years of history through its 13 mainline games. With the upcoming release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, we’ve crafted this detailed chronology of the Assassin’s Creed timeline to help you navigate the saga. This list focuses solely on the mainline games, as the spinoffs, while entertaining, do not significantly impact the core narrative.

For a deeper dive into the historical settings of the Assassin's Creed games, explore our comprehensive 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 franchise currently boasts 14 main series games and 17 spinoffs. Beyond video games, 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?

Choosing where to begin in the Assassin's Creed timeline can be daunting, but it's wise to start with an era that captivates you. For many, the original Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) stands out with its compelling storytelling. If you're drawn to more recent entries, consider starting with Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, which offers a thrilling pirate experience, or dive into the ancient world with Assassin's Creed Odyssey.

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 approaches to experiencing the Assassin’s Creed chronology. The first is by following the modern-day storyline, which unfolds chronologically with each game's release. This method is ideal if you're interested in the overarching narrative and the evolution of the franchise from stealth-action to open-world RPGs. Simply refer to the section on playing by release date for this approach.

The second method is by the historical settings of the games, listed below. These stories are less interconnected but offer a rich exploration of history where you'll spend most of your gameplay time. This approach is more about curiosity than a structured playthrough.

The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order

Below are brief plot summaries with mild spoilers to introduce the settings, main characters, and key plot points, catering to series newcomers.

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 expansive open-world adventures. As Cassandra or Alexios, grandchildren of King Leonidas I, you navigate the Peloponnesian War, encountering historical figures like Hippocrates and mythical beings like the Sphinx. The game predates the Assassin and Templar orders but features the Spear of Leonidas, a Piece of Eden.

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

Following a brief hiatus, Ubisoft returned with Assassin's Creed Origins in 2017, introducing RPG mechanics to the series. Set during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the story follows Bayek and Aya as they seek vengeance for their son's death, uncovering the Order of the Ancients and founding the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins. Layla Hassan's modern-day narrative begins here.

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 $50 USD stealth-focused adventure and a homage to the series' roots. It follows 17-year-old Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief with visions, on his journey to become an Assassin under the guidance of mentor Roshan. Unlike other entries, Mirage does not heavily feature 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 with an average 60-hour main storyline. Eivor leads their clan from Norway to England, navigating the ongoing conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients, while also encountering mythological figures like Fenrir and Odin. 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, setting the stage for the series' core mechanics and narrative. Set during the Third Crusade, Altair hunts Templars while Desmond Miles, the modern protagonist, begins his journey in the Animus, laying the groundwork for the time-traveling 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, a fan-favorite protagonist whose story spans three games. Set in Renaissance Italy, Ezio's quest for vengeance against his family's killers leads him into the heart of the Assassin-Templar conflict, interacting with figures like Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli. Desmond's modern-day journey with the Assassins also begins here.

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

Continuing directly from Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood sees Ezio rebuilding Rome's Assassins Guild while pursuing the Apple of Eden. In the modern day, Desmond and his allies seek the same artifact to avert an apocalyptic prophecy.

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

Revelations concludes Ezio's story as he searches for Altair's library in Constantinople, uncovering keys that reveal pivotal moments in Altair's life. In the present, Desmond navigates the Animus to escape a coma. This game also features one of the series' most memorable trailers from E3 2011.

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 ventures into Feudal Japan, featuring dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke, whose paths cross in a tale of vengeance during the Sengoku period. The game introduces the Animus Hub, enhancing the modern-day experience with additional subplots and a reward system.

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

Best known for its naval gameplay, Black Flag follows Edward Kenway, a pirate and grandfather to Connor Kenway, navigating the Caribbean and engaging with historical pirates like Blackbeard. The modern-day narrative involves an Abstergo employee exploring Edward's memories 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, an Assassin turned Templar, as he hunts a Piece of Eden. The modern-day story continues with another Abstergo employee, nicknamed "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:ton "Connor" Kenway
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

Set during the American Revolution, Assassin's Creed III follows Connor Kenway as he protects his tribe and seeks to prevent the Templars from accessing the Grand Temple. The modern-day story concludes Desmond's arc as he and the Assassins race against time to prevent an apocalyptic event.

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 as he navigates the chaos of Paris and the Assassin-Templar conflict. The modern-day storyline is minimal, focusing on a player using Helix, Abstergo's gaming 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 work to liberate London from Templar control. The modern-day story continues with the same Helix player from Unity, seeking another Piece of Eden.

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

Assassin's Creed Shadows is set to launch on March 20, marking the latest addition to the franchise. While details on future mainline games are scarce, Ubisoft's CEO has confirmed that remakes of older titles are in development. Meanwhile, 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.

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