What Order to Play Assassin's Creed Games: A Journey Through Time and Chaos

blog 2025-01-19 0Browse 0

The Assassin’s Creed series, developed by Ubisoft, is a sprawling franchise that spans centuries, continents, and even dimensions. With over a dozen mainline games and numerous spin-offs, the question of “what order to play Assassin’s Creed games” is one that has puzzled both newcomers and seasoned fans alike. The answer, however, is not as straightforward as one might think. The series is a tapestry of interconnected stories, historical events, and philosophical musings, and the order in which you experience them can significantly alter your understanding and appreciation of the narrative.

Chronological Order: A Historical Perspective

One approach to playing the Assassin’s Creed games is to follow the chronological order of the historical settings. This method allows players to experience the evolution of the Assassin-Templar conflict through the ages, from the Third Crusade to the American Revolution, and beyond.

Assassin’s Creed (2007) - Set during the Third Crusade in the Holy Land, this game introduces us to Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, a master assassin who must redeem himself after a failed mission. The game lays the foundation for the series’ core themes of free will versus control and the eternal struggle between the Assassins and the Templars.
Assassin’s Creed II (2009) - Jumping forward to Renaissance Italy, we follow Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a young nobleman who becomes an assassin after his family is betrayed. This game expands on the lore of the First Civilization and introduces the concept of the Pieces of Eden.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010) - Continuing Ezio’s story, this game sees him rebuilding the Assassin Brotherhood in Rome while battling the Borgia family. The game introduces multiplayer and further explores the political intrigue of the Renaissance.
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011) - The final chapter in Ezio’s trilogy takes him to Constantinople, where he seeks to unlock the secrets of Altaïr’s legacy. The game also delves deeper into the modern-day storyline, connecting the past and present.
Assassin’s Creed III (2012) - Set during the American Revolution, this game introduces Connor Kenway, a half-Mohawk, half-British assassin fighting for freedom and justice. The game also marks a significant shift in the modern-day narrative, with the introduction of Desmond Miles’ son, Desmond Jr.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) - Taking a detour to the Golden Age of Piracy, this game follows Edward Kenway, Connor’s grandfather, as he becomes embroiled in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The game is notable for its naval combat and exploration of the Caribbean.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue (2014) - A unique entry in the series, this game allows players to experience the Templar perspective through the eyes of Shay Patrick Cormac, an assassin who turns against the Brotherhood. The game bridges the gap between Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed III.
Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014) - Set during the French Revolution, this game follows Arno Dorian, a young assassin seeking redemption. The game introduces cooperative multiplayer and a more detailed recreation of historical Paris.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015) - Taking place in Victorian London, this game follows twins Jacob and Evie Frye as they fight to liberate the city from Templar control. The game introduces a grappling hook and a more lighthearted tone compared to previous entries.
Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017) - A soft reboot of the series, this game takes us to ancient Egypt and follows Bayek, a Medjay who becomes the first assassin. The game introduces RPG elements and a more open-world structure.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018) - Set in ancient Greece, this game allows players to choose between two protagonists, Alexios or Kassandra, as they navigate the Peloponnesian War. The game further expands on the RPG mechanics introduced in Origins.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020) - The latest mainline entry, set during the Viking Age, follows Eivor, a Norse warrior who becomes embroiled in the Assassin-Templar conflict in England. The game continues the RPG elements and introduces settlement building.

Release Order: The Evolution of Gameplay and Storytelling

Another approach is to play the games in the order they were released. This method allows players to experience the evolution of the series’ gameplay mechanics, storytelling, and technological advancements.

Assassin’s Creed (2007) - The game that started it all, introducing players to the core mechanics of parkour, stealth, and combat.
Assassin’s Creed II (2009) - Building on the foundation of the first game, this entry introduced a more complex narrative, improved gameplay, and a more vibrant open world.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010) - Adding multiplayer and further refining the gameplay, this game continued Ezio’s story and expanded the Assassin-Templar conflict.
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011) - The final chapter in Ezio’s trilogy, this game tied up loose ends and introduced new gameplay elements like the hookblade.
Assassin’s Creed III (2012) - A significant shift in the series, this game introduced a new protagonist, a new setting, and a more complex modern-day storyline.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) - A departure from the traditional Assassin’s Creed formula, this game focused on naval combat and exploration, while still maintaining the core Assassin-Templar conflict.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue (2014) - A unique entry that allowed players to experience the Templar perspective, this game bridged the gap between Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed III.
Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014) - Set during the French Revolution, this game introduced cooperative multiplayer and a more detailed recreation of historical Paris.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015) - Taking place in Victorian London, this game introduced a grappling hook and a more lighthearted tone compared to previous entries.
Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017) - A soft reboot of the series, this game introduced RPG elements and a more open-world structure.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018) - Further expanding on the RPG mechanics introduced in Origins, this game allowed players to choose between two protagonists and explore ancient Greece.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020) - The latest mainline entry, this game continued the RPG elements and introduced settlement building, while exploring the Viking Age.

Thematic Order: Exploring the Core Themes

For those interested in exploring the philosophical and thematic underpinnings of the series, a thematic order might be more appropriate. This approach allows players to delve deeper into the series’ exploration of free will, control, and the nature of power.

Assassin’s Creed (2007) - The game that introduced the core conflict between the Assassins and Templars, and the philosophical debate over free will versus control.
Assassin’s Creed II (2009) - Expanding on the themes of the first game, this entry delves deeper into the nature of power and the consequences of seeking control.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010) - This game explores the idea of leadership and the responsibilities that come with power, as Ezio rebuilds the Assassin Brotherhood.
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011) - The final chapter in Ezio’s trilogy, this game reflects on the legacy of the Assassins and the cyclical nature of history.
Assassin’s Creed III (2012) - Set during the American Revolution, this game explores the idea of freedom and the cost of achieving it.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) - This game examines the nature of piracy and the blurred lines between freedom and lawlessness.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue (2014) - A unique entry that allows players to experience the Templar perspective, this game explores the idea of moral ambiguity and the complexity of the Assassin-Templar conflict.
Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014) - Set during the French Revolution, this game delves into the themes of revolution, equality, and the consequences of radical change.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015) - Taking place in Victorian London, this game explores the themes of industrialization, class struggle, and the fight for workers’ rights.
Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017) - A soft reboot of the series, this game explores the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood and the philosophical foundations of their creed.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018) - Set in ancient Greece, this game delves into the themes of fate, destiny, and the power of choice.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020) - The latest mainline entry, this game explores the themes of identity, belonging, and the search for a place in the world.

Modern-Day Storyline: Connecting the Past and Present

For players interested in the modern-day storyline, which connects the historical narratives to the present day, a specific order can be followed to better understand the overarching plot.

Assassin’s Creed (2007) - Introduces the modern-day protagonist, Desmond Miles, and the concept of the Animus, a device that allows users to relive the memories of their ancestors.
Assassin’s Creed II (2009) - Continues Desmond’s story as he explores the memories of Ezio Auditore and uncovers more about the First Civilization.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010) - Further develops the modern-day storyline, with Desmond and his team working to prevent the Templars from gaining control of the Pieces of Eden.
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011) - Ties up Desmond’s story arc, as he delves deeper into the memories of both Ezio and Altaïr to uncover the secrets of the First Civilization.
Assassin’s Creed III (2012) - Marks a significant shift in the modern-day narrative, with the introduction of Desmond’s son, Desmond Jr., and the resolution of Desmond’s story.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) - Introduces a new modern-day protagonist, an Abstergo employee who uncovers the secrets of Edward Kenway’s life.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue (2014) - Continues the modern-day storyline, with the player uncovering the truth behind Shay Patrick Cormac’s defection to the Templars.
Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014) - Introduces a new modern-day protagonist, a Helix user who relives the memories of Arno Dorian during the French Revolution.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015) - Continues the modern-day storyline, with the player uncovering the secrets of the Frye twins’ fight against the Templars in Victorian London.
Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017) - Introduces a new modern-day protagonist, Layla Hassan, who uses the Animus to explore the memories of Bayek, the first assassin.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018) - Continues Layla’s story as she explores the memories of Alexios or Kassandra in ancient Greece, uncovering more about the First Civilization.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020) - The latest mainline entry, this game continues Layla’s story as she explores the memories of Eivor during the Viking Age, further connecting the past and present.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I play the Assassin’s Creed games in chronological order or release order? A: It depends on your preference. Chronological order allows you to experience the historical evolution of the Assassin-Templar conflict, while release order lets you experience the evolution of gameplay and storytelling.

Q: Are the modern-day storylines important to the overall narrative? A: Yes, the modern-day storylines connect the historical narratives and provide context for the overarching conflict between the Assassins and Templars.

Q: Can I skip certain games in the series? A: While each game can be enjoyed on its own, skipping certain entries may result in missing important plot points and character development.

Q: Are the spin-off games necessary to understand the main storyline? A: The spin-off games, such as Assassin’s Creed Chronicles, are not necessary to understand the main storyline but can provide additional context and backstory.

Q: What is the best way to experience the Assassin’s Creed series? A: The best way to experience the series is subjective and depends on your interests. Whether you choose to play in chronological order, release order, or thematic order, the Assassin’s Creed series offers a rich and immersive experience that can be enjoyed in many different ways.