Assassin's Creed: Chronological Play Order Revealed

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise has captivated gamers for 18 years, taking them on a thrilling journey across five continents and through 2,300 years of history. From the ancient streets of Greece to the bustling alleys of Victorian London, the series has explored diverse eras and settings through its 13 mainline games. As we eagerly await the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, let's delve into the comprehensive timeline of the Assassin's Creed saga, focusing solely on the mainline entries that drive the central narrative.

For a deeper dive into the historical contexts of these games, be sure to check out our full 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 series boasts 14 mainline games and 17 spinoffs, not to mention an Assassin's Creed board game and an upcoming TV series on Netflix.

Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?

Choosing where to start in the Assassin's Creed timeline can be daunting, but it's best to begin with an era that piques your interest. The Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is renowned for its compelling narrative. For those interested in more recent titles, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers an engaging pirate-themed experience, 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 experience the Assassin's Creed series: by the modern-day storyline or by the historical settings. Playing in release order follows the modern-day narrative, which is crucial for understanding the overarching story and the franchise's evolution from stealth-action to open-world RPGs. For those interested in the historical aspect, playing in chronological order offers a fascinating journey through time.

The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order

Below are brief plot summaries with mild spoilers to help newcomers understand the settings and key characters.

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 embraces RPG elements, allowing players to explore the Peloponnesian War as either Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of King Leonidas I. The game intertwines historical figures like Hippocrates and Socrates with mythological creatures such as the Sphinx and Medusa. Although set before the Assassin and Templar orders, it introduces the Spear of Leonidas, a key 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

Assassin's Creed Origins, released in 2017, marked a soft reboot and introduced RPG mechanics to the series. Set during the reigns 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 and founding the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins. Layla Hassan's modern-day story begins here and continues through 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 is a $50 USD stealth-focused adventure that pays homage to the original games. It follows a young Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief with nightmarish visions, as he navigates Baghdad and eventually joins the Hidden Ones. 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 delves into Norse history and mythology, offering the series' largest game to date. Players follow Eivor and their clan from Norway to England, engaging in the ongoing conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients. The game concludes Layla Hassan's modern-day 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 original Assassin's Creed introduces Altair Ibn'La-Ahad during the Third Crusade. It establishes core gameplay mechanics and narrative elements, including the Pieces of Eden and the Animus. The modern-day story introduces Desmond Miles and the ongoing 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 da Firenze, whose story spans three games. Ezio's quest for vengeance against the Templars takes players through Italy, interacting with historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci. Desmond's modern-day journey with the Assassins 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

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood continues Ezio's story as he rebuilds the Assassins Guild in Rome and seeks the Apple of Eden. In the present, Desmond and the modern Assassins pursue the same artifact to avert a global 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 sees an older Ezio searching for Altair's hidden library in Constantinople. The game intertwines Ezio's and Altair's stories, revealing Ezio's role in the broader narrative. 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

Set during Japan's late Sengoku period, Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke. Their paths cross in a quest for vengeance. Unlike other recent entries, Shadows does not feature a dedicated modern-day protagonist but integrates 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 naval gameplay and follows pirate Edward Kenway, grandfather of Connor Kenway from AC III. Edward becomes entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict while seeking the Observatory, a First Civilization site. The modern-day story involves an Abstergo employee reliving Connor's life.

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. The game features Haytham Kenway and focuses on Shay's hunt for a Piece of Eden. In the present, you play as an Abstergo employee known as "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 "Connor" Kenway
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

Assassin's Creed III follows Connor Kenway during the American Revolution, as he protects his tribe and the Grand Temple from the Templars. The game features historical figures like George Washington and concludes Desmond's modern-day arc as he prevents 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 as he navigates the Assassin-Templar conflict. The modern-day story involves a Helix player, but it's less impactful on the overall narrative.

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, who work to liberate London from Templar control. The game includes historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Darwin. The modern-day story continues with the same Helix player from Unity.

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 release on March 20. While no details on future mainline games are available, Ubisoft is working on remakes of older titles. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed series is in development at Netflix, and Tencent's mobile-exclusive Assassin's Creed Jade has been delayed to 2025.

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