Assassin's Creed: Playing in Chronological Order Guide

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed series has journeyed across five continents and 2,300 years of history over 13 mainline games, exploring the epic Assassin-Templar conflict from Ancient Greece to Victorian London. As we approach the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, let's dive into the series' timeline to help you navigate its expansive narrative. This guide focuses solely on the mainline games, as spinoffs do not significantly impact the overarching story.

For a deeper dive into the historical settings of Assassin's Creed games, check out our comprehensive timeline guide.

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• 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?

There are currently 14 mainline Assassin's Creed games, along with 17 spinoffs. Beyond gaming, the franchise extends into a board game and a forthcoming TV series at Netflix.

Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?

Choosing where to start in the Assassin's Creed saga can be daunting, but consider diving into an era that piques your interest. The original Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is renowned for its storytelling. If you prefer more recent entries, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers engaging pirate-themed gameplay, while Assassin's Creed Odyssey immerses you 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

You can approach the Assassin's Creed chronology in two ways:

1. By the order of the games' modern-day storylines. This method follows the continuous narrative thread through the present-day, which evolves with each game's release. If you're looking to experience the overarching story and the series' transition from stealth-action to open-world RPGs, playing by release date is ideal.

2. By the historic settings of the games. This option is more about exploring different historical periods and less about following the intertwined modern-day plot. It's perfect for those interested in specific eras or settings.

The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order

Here's a chronological overview of the mainline Assassin's Creed games, with mild spoilers to give you a sense of their 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

Assassin's Creed Odyssey, set nearly 400 years before any other mainline game, fully embraced RPG elements. You play as Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of Sparta's King Leonidas I, during the Peloponnesian War. The game intertwines historical figures like Hippocrates and mythological creatures like the Sphinx.

Odyssey introduces the Spear of Leonidas, a key Piece of Eden, before the formation of the Assassin and Templar orders.

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 year-long hiatus, Assassin's Creed Origins marked a soft reboot, introducing RPG mechanics. Set in Ancient Egypt during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, Origins follows Bayek and Aya as they uncover the Order of the Ancients and form the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins.

Layla Hassan's modern-day storyline 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

Assassin's Creed Mirage, released in 2023, is a $50 USD stealth-focused adventure that pays homage to the original games. It follows 17-year-old Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief with visions, on his journey to the Hidden Ones' fortress of Alamut.

Unlike other entries, Mirage does not focus on 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, the series' largest game to date, explores Norse history and mythology. It follows Eivor and their clan's journey from Norway to England, 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 original Assassin's Creed introduces Altair Ibn'La-Ahad during the Third Crusade. It established key elements like the Pieces of Eden and the Animus, setting the stage for the series' ongoing narrative.

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, a fan-favorite who stars in three consecutive games. Ezio's quest for vengeance leads him across Italy, interacting with historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci.

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 Rome's Assassin Guild and searches for the Apple of Eden. Desmond's modern-day journey also progresses.

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

Assassin's Creed Revelations concludes Ezio's trilogy, linking his story with Altair's as he searches for Altair's hidden library. Desmond's modern-day narrative deepens as he navigates the Animus.

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, featuring dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke. It introduces the Animus Hub, a platform that connects the series and includes 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 is renowned for its naval gameplay, set two centuries after Ezio's trilogy. It follows pirate Edward Kenway, grandfather of AC III's Connor, as he navigates the Assassin-Templar conflict.

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, focusing on Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar. The modern-day story involves another Abstergo employee.

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 follows Connor Kenway during the American Revolution, as he protects his tribe and a First Civilization temple. The modern-day story concludes Desmond's arc.

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

Assassin's Creed Unity is set during the French Revolution, focusing on Arno Dorian's journey through vengeance and the Assassin-Templar conflict. The modern-day story involves a Helix player.

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 follows twins Jacob and Evie Frye as they liberate London from Templar control. The modern-day narrative 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 new mainline games have been announced, remakes of older titles are in development. A live-action Assassin's Creed series is in production at Netflix, and Tencent's mobile-exclusive title, Assassin's Creed Jade, is slated for 2025.

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