Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise has captivated gamers for 18 years, taking them on an epic journey across five continents and 2,300 years of history through 13 mainline games. The series' central theme—the ongoing conflict between the Assassins and Templars—has been explored in settings from Ancient Greece to Victorian London.
With the upcoming release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, we've compiled a comprehensive chronology of the Assassin's Creed timeline, focusing solely on the mainline games that drive the central narrative forward.
For a deeper dive into the historical eras featured in the Assassin's Creed series, be sure to explore our full guide to the Assassin's Creed timeline.
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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?
The Assassin's Creed series currently boasts 14 mainline games, alongside 17 spinoffs. Beyond video games, the franchise has expanded into other media, including a board game and an anticipated TV series in development at Netflix.
Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?
Choosing where to start in the Assassin's Creed timeline can be daunting. For newcomers, consider beginning with a game set in an era that piques your interest. The Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is highly recommended for its compelling narrative. Alternatively, if you're drawn to more recent titles, 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 Game In Order
There are two primary ways to approach the Assassin’s Creed chronology:
By Modern-Day Storyline Order: This approach follows the narrative progression of the series' present-day storyline, which connects each mainline game. Playing in release order is recommended if you want to experience the overarching story and see the franchise's evolution from stealth-action games to open-world RPGs.
By Historical Setting Order: This method arranges the games based on their historical periods. While the historical stories are less interconnected than their modern-day counterparts, they offer a fascinating journey through time and are ideal for those interested in specific historical contexts.
The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order
The following brief plot synopses provide an overview of each game's setting, protagonists, and key narrative elements, with mild spoilers limited to broad plot points, historical contexts, 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
Assassin's Creed Odyssey is set nearly 400 years before any other mainline game and fully embraces RPG mechanics, marking a significant shift from stealth-based action to open-world RPG gameplay. You play as either Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of Sparta's King Leonidas I, during the Peloponnesian War. The game intertwines historical figures like Hippocrates, Socrates, and Plato with mythological elements, including encounters with the Sphinx, Cyclops, and Medusa. Although set before the formation of the Assassin and Templar orders, Odyssey features a crucial 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 with Assassin's Creed Origins in 2017, introducing RPG mechanics to the series. Set during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the game spans from Ancient Egypt to Rome under Julius Caesar. The narrative begins with Bayek and Aya's quest for vengeance, which uncovers the proto-Templar Order of the Ancients and leads to the formation of the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins. Layla Hassan serves as the modern-day protagonist, linking Origins to 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 returns to the series' roots with a $50 USD stealth-focused adventure. It follows a young Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief with nightmarish visions, on his journey from Baghdad to the Hidden Ones' fortress of Alamut under the guidance of his mentor Roshan. Unlike other entries, Mirage does not prominently 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 to date. The narrative follows Eivor and their clan's migration from a resource-scarce Norway to the fertile lands of England, amidst the ongoing conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients. The game blends real-life historical figures like King Harald Fairhair and mythological characters like Odin and Fenrir. Layla Hassan's modern-day story concludes her three-game 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 establishes core gameplay mechanics like climbing and assassinations. Set during the Third Crusade, Altair's mission is to hunt down nine Templars. The game also introduces the Animus and Desmond Miles, the modern-day protagonist whose story continues through several sequels.
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 beloved character whose story spans three games. Set in 15th-century Italy, Ezio's journey begins with a quest for vengeance that leads him into the heart of the Assassin-Templar conflict. The game features interactions with historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli. In the present day, Desmond Miles begins his alliance 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 story as he seeks to rebuild Rome's weakened Assassin Guild and retrieve the Apple of Eden. The modern-day narrative follows Desmond and the Assassins to Italy in search of the same artifact, pivotal to preventing 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 final chapter of the Ezio trilogy sees an older Ezio travel to Constantinople in search of Altair's hidden library. Revelations intertwines Ezio's narrative with Altair's memories, revealing their roles in the broader Assassin's Creed story. In the present, Desmond navigates the Animus to escape "the Black Room" and return to consciousness.
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 protagonist: Naoe and Yasuke
Modern protagonist: N/A
Set during the late Sengoku period, Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, each with unique gameplay styles. Yasuke, an African mercenary turned samurai, and Naoe, a shinobi-in-training, unite on a quest for vengeance. Shadows does not feature a modern-day protagonist but coincides with the Animus Hub, enhancing the franchise's interconnectivity and adding 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 and introduces Edward Kenway, a pirate embroiled in the Assassin-Templar conflict. Set two centuries after Ezio's trilogy, Black Flag features historical pirates like Blackbeard and Mary Read. The modern-day story follows an Abstergo employee uncovering Edward's memories to create a film, though with ulterior motives.
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 narrative involves the pursuit of a Piece of Eden and features Templar Grand Master Haytham Kenway. In the present, you play as another Abstergo employee, dubbed "Numbskull," working for 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
Set during the American Revolution, Assassin's Creed III follows Connor Kenway as he protects his tribe and seeks to thwart Templar plans involving a First Civilization Grand Temple. The game features historical figures like George Washington and concludes Desmond's modern-day arc, culminating in his efforts to prevent the prophesized end of the world.
Available on: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC, Stadia | IGN's Assassin's Creed 3 Wiki
13. Assassins 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 on a quest for vengeance amidst the Assassin-Templar conflict. Historical figures like Napoléon Bonaparte and King Louis XVI feature prominently. The modern-day story, set in Helix, Abstergo's Animus-powered gaming software, is less impactful but involves collecting DNA for Templar propaganda.
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 dual protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye, who aim to liberate London from Templar control. Set primarily in 1868, the game features historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Darwin. The modern-day narrative continues with the same Helix player from Unity, now working with the Assassins to locate a Piece of Eden in London.
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
The next installment, Assassin's Creed Shadows, is set to release on March 20. While no information is available on future mainline games, Ubisoft's CEO has confirmed several remakes of older Assassin's Creed titles are in development. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed show 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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