Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise has journeyed across five continents and 2,300 years of history, engaging players in the epic conflict between the Assassins and the Templars. From the ancient streets of Greece to the bustling cityscapes of Victorian London, the series has captivated fans with its rich historical settings and compelling narratives. As we anticipate the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, let's delve into the chronology of the mainline games, providing a comprehensive guide to the series' timeline. Note that this list focuses solely on the mainline entries, as spinoffs, while entertaining, do not significantly contribute to the overarching Assassin-Templar saga.

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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, complemented by 17 spinoff titles. Beyond video games, the franchise has expanded into a board game and a forthcoming TV series on Netflix, broadening its narrative universe.

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 select a game set in an era that piques your interest. The Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) stands out for its exceptional storytelling. For a more recent experience, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers thrilling pirate adventures, while Assassin's Creed Odyssey immerses players in the ancient world of 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 approaches to experiencing the Assassin's Creed saga: by the modern-day storyline's progression or by the historical settings of each game. The modern-day narrative unfolds chronologically with each game release, making it ideal for those looking to follow the overarching plot and witness the series' evolution from stealth-action to open-world RPGs. However, if you prefer to explore the historical contexts, the following list organizes the games by their historical settings, offering a journey through time that reflects the series' historical tapestry.

The Assassin's Creed Games in Chronological Order

Below are the mainline Assassin's Creed games listed in chronological order by their historical settings, with brief plot overviews containing mild spoilers to guide 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 centuries before the other mainline games, Assassin's Creed Odyssey fully embraces the RPG genre, 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 mythical creatures such as the Sphinx and Medusa, all while hinting at the origins of the Assassin-Templar conflict through 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
Assassin's Creed Origins marks a pivotal shift in the series, introducing RPG mechanics and serving as a soft reboot. Set during the Ptolemaic era, it follows Bayek and Aya as they seek vengeance and uncover the Order of the Ancients, ultimately founding the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassin Brotherhood.

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 returns to the series' roots with a focus on stealth and narrative, set in 9th-century Baghdad. Players follow a young Basim Ibn Ishaq as he navigates his path to becoming a member of the Hidden Ones, a story that complements his role in Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

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 explores the Viking Age, offering an expansive world filled with historical and mythological elements. As Eivor, players navigate the conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients while leading their clan to new lands.

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 game introduces the series' core mechanics and narrative elements, including the Animus and the Pieces of Eden. Players follow Altair as he targets nine Templars during the Third Crusade, setting the stage for 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, a fan-favorite protagonist whose journey spans three games. His quest for vengeance leads him to uncover a larger conspiracy and engage 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
Continuing Ezio's story, Brotherhood sees him rebuilding the Assassin Brotherhood in Rome while pursuing the Apple of Eden, a powerful artifact.

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 conclusion of Ezio's trilogy takes him to Constantinople in search of Altair's library, weaving together past and present narratives.

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
The latest installment, Assassin's Creed Shadows, transports players to Feudal Japan, featuring dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke, whose paths converge in a tale of vengeance during the Sengoku period.

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
Black Flag is renowned for its naval combat, following pirate Edward Kenway as he becomes entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict while seeking the Observatory, a First Civilization site.

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"
Rogue bridges the narratives of Assassin's Creed III and IV, following Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar, in his quest for a Piece of Eden.

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 as he protects his tribe and the Grand Temple from Templar forces, concluding Desmond's modern-day 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
Unity is set during the French Revolution, with Arno Dorian seeking vengeance while navigating the Assassin-Templar conflict.

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
Syndicate features twin protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye as they fight to liberate London from Templar influence.

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, set to release on March 20, is the next chapter in the saga. While details on future mainline games remain scarce, Ubisoft is working on remakes of earlier titles. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed series is in development at Netflix, and Tencent's mobile title, Assassin's Creed Jade, has been delayed to 2025.

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