Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise has traversed a vast expanse of history over its 18-year journey. Spanning 2,300 years and five continents, from the ancient streets of Greece to the bustling avenues of Victorian London, the series has explored the epic conflict between the Assassins and Templars across 13 mainline games. 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 entries that are crucial to the overarching narrative.
For a deeper dive into the historical settings of these games, be sure to check out our detailed 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
14 Images
How Many Assassin's Creed Games Are There?
Currently, the Assassin's Creed series boasts 14 mainline games and an additional 17 spinoff titles. Beyond video games, the franchise has expanded into other media, including an Assassin's Creed board game and a forthcoming TV series at Netflix.
Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?
With numerous entry points into the Assassin's Creed timeline, your choice might depend on your interest in historical periods. The original Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is highly recommended for its compelling storytelling. For those interested in 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
0See it at Amazon!
Nintendo Switch
Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Trilogy
0See it at Amazon!
PS4, Xbox One, PC
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
0See it at Amazon!
PS4, Xbox One, PC
Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
0See it at Amazon!
How to Play the Assassin’s Creed Games In Order
There are two primary ways to experience the Assassin’s Creed chronology: by the order of the modern-day storylines or by the historical settings. Playing in the order of release follows the progression of the modern-day narrative, which is essential for understanding the overarching story and witnessing the franchise's evolution from stealth-action to open-world RPGs. If you're committed to playing through the entire series, this is the recommended approach.
Alternatively, playing by historical settings offers a unique perspective on the series, though these stories are less interconnected than their modern-day counterparts. This approach is more about exploring different historical periods and is less of a practical playing guide.
The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order
For newcomers, the following plot summaries include only mild spoilers, focusing on broad plot points, historical settings, 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
Set nearly 400 years before any other mainline game, Assassin's Creed Odyssey fully embraces RPG mechanics, taking place during the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens. As Cassandra or Alexios, the grandchildren of King Leonidas I, players encounter historical figures like Hippocrates, Socrates, and Plato, while also delving into Greek mythology with encounters featuring the Sphinx, Cyclops, and Medusa. The game precedes the formation of the Assassin and Templar orders but introduces the Spear of Leonidas as 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 marks a soft reboot for the franchise, introducing RPG elements and setting the stage in Ancient Egypt during the reign of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra. The narrative begins with a personal vendetta but expands into a broader tale of political intrigue, with Bayek and Aya uncovering the Order of the Ancients, a proto-Templar organization. Their journey leads to the formation of the Hidden Ones, the first incarnation of the Assassins. In the modern day, Layla Hassan is introduced as the protagonist.
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, returns to the series' roots with a focus on stealth and narrative-driven gameplay. It follows a young Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief guided by his mentor Roshan, as he navigates the streets of Baghdad and journeys toward the Hidden Ones' fortress of Alamut. Unlike other entries, Mirage does not prominently feature the present-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, making it the largest game in the series. It follows Eivor and their clan's migration from Norway to England, weaving historical figures like King Harald Fairhair and mythological beings like Fenrir into the narrative. The game continues the conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients while concluding Layla Hassan's modern-day storyline.
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 sets the stage for the franchise's core elements, including climbing and assassinations. Set during the Third Crusade, Altair hunts down nine Templars while Desmond Miles is introduced in the modern-day storyline, which involves the Animus 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, one of the series' most beloved characters. His journey begins with a quest for vengeance but evolves into a central role in the Assassin-Templar conflict, taking players across Italy and introducing historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli. Desmond's modern-day story progresses as he works 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
Continuing directly from Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood follows Ezio as he rebuilds Rome's Assassins Guild and pursues the Apple of Eden. In the present day, Desmond and the modern Assassins search for the same artifact to prevent an apocalyptic event.
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 journeying to Constantinople in search of Altair’s hidden library. This quest intertwines Ezio's story with Altair's, revealing crucial insights into the Assassin's Creed narrative. In the modern-day, 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 features dual protagonists: Naoe, a shinobi-in-training, and Yasuke, an African samurai serving Oda Nobunaga. Their paths cross in the Iga province, leading to a shared quest for vengeance. Shadows does not feature a dedicated modern-day protagonist but introduces the Animus Hub, enhancing the franchise's connectivity.
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 Edward Kenway, a pirate and grandfather to Connor Kenway from Assassin's Creed III. The game features real-life pirates like Blackbeard and Benjamin Hornigold, as Edward becomes embroiled in the Assassin-Templar conflict while searching for The Observatory, a First Civilization site. The modern-day story follows an Abstergo employee uncovering 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 narrative between Assassin's Creed III and IV, following Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar, as he hunts a Piece of Eden. The game features Haytham Kenway, connecting it to the broader Kenway family saga. In the modern day, another Abstergo employee, known as "Numbskull," works for the 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
Assassin's Creed III unfolds during the American Revolution, with Connor Kenway, son of Haytham, striving to protect his tribe and the First Civilization's Grand Temple from Templar control. The game features historical figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. In the modern day, Desmond's story reaches its climax as he works to prevent 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, a French Assassin seeking vengeance while navigating the Assassin-Templar conflict. Historical figures like Napoléon Bonaparte and King Louis XVI feature prominently. The modern-day story is less impactful, focusing on a player using Abstergo's Helix software.
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 twin 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 follows the same Helix player from Unity, now working with the Assassins to find another Piece of Eden.
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, the newest addition to the franchise, is slated for release on March 20. While no information is available on future mainline games, Ubisoft's CEO has confirmed that several remakes of older Assassin's Creed titles are in development. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed series is in the works at Netflix, and Tencent's mobile-exclusive title, Assassin's Creed Jade, has been delayed to 2025.
Related Content:
- Far Cry Games in Order
- God of War Games in Order
- The Legend of Zelda Games in Order
- Final Fantasy Games in Order
- Shop the coolest Assassin's Creed merch at the IGN Store
