Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise has captivated gamers for 18 years, spanning five continents and 2,300 years of history through 13 mainline games. From Ancient Greece to Victorian London, the series has explored the timeless conflict between Assassins and Templars. As we eagerly await the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, let's delve into a comprehensive chronology of the Assassin’s Creed timeline, focusing solely on the mainline games that drive the core narrative forward.
For a deeper dive into the historical settings of Assassin's Creed, explore our detailed guide to the Assassin's Creed timeline.
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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 saga 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 at Netflix.
Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?
Choosing where to start in the Assassin's Creed universe can be daunting. If you're drawn to compelling narratives, the Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) offers some of the series' finest storytelling. For those interested in more recent entries, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag delivers thrilling pirate adventures, while Assassin's Creed Odyssey immerses you 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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Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
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How to Play the Assassin’s Creed Games In Order
The Assassin's Creed series can be experienced in two primary ways: by following the modern-day storyline or by the historical settings of the games.
Playing by Modern-Day Storyline
The modern-day narrative connects each mainline game, progressing chronologically with each release. This approach is ideal for those wishing to experience the overarching story and witness the evolution of the franchise from stealth-action to open-world RPGs. To follow this path, check out the section on playing by release date.
Playing by Historical Settings
For those interested in historical immersion, the following list orders the games by their historical settings. While these stories are less intertwined than their modern-day counterparts, they offer a rich exploration of different eras.
The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order
The summaries below include mild spoilers such as general plot points, historical settings, and character introductions, tailored for 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 nearly 400 years before any other mainline game, Assassin's Creed Odyssey fully embraces RPG mechanics, transforming the series from stealth-action to an open-world RPG. You play as either Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of Sparta's King Leonidas I, during the Peloponnesian War. The game blends historical figures like Hippocrates and Socrates with mythical beings such as the Sphinx and Medusa. Although set before the Assassin and Templar orders, it features the Spear of Leonidas, 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
After a brief hiatus, Ubisoft returned with Assassin's Creed Origins in 2017, introducing RPG elements and serving as a soft reboot. Set during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the game follows Bayek and Aya as they seek vengeance for their son's death, uncovering the Order of the Ancients and founding the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins. Layla Hassan's modern-day story ties Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla together.
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 is a more focused, narrative-driven experience priced at $50 USD. It follows Basim Ibn Ishaq, a young street thief with mysterious visions, as he escapes Baghdad and joins the Hidden Ones. 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 ventures into Norse history and mythology, offering the largest game in the series. The narrative follows Eivor and their clan's migration from Norway to England, balancing the ongoing conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients with personal stories. The modern-day storyline 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, laying the foundation for the series' success with core gameplay elements and narrative concepts like the Pieces of Eden and the Animus. The game follows Altair's quest to eliminate nine Templars while introducing Desmond Miles and the modern-day 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, a beloved protagonist whose story spans three games. Ezio seeks vengeance for his family's death, uncovering a larger conspiracy and becoming a pivotal figure in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The game's modern-day plot sees Desmond working 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 Ezio's story, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood sees him rebuilding Rome's Assassins Guild and seeking the Apple of Eden. In the present day, Desmond and the modern Assassins search for the same artifact to avert 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, Assassin's Creed Revelations, sees an aging Ezio seeking Altair's library in Constantinople. The game connects Ezio's story with Altair's and concludes his role in the wider narrative. In the present, Desmond navigates the Animus to escape a comatose state.
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 Japan's late Sengoku period, Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces dual protagonists: Naoe, a shinobi, and Yasuke, an African samurai. Their paths cross in a quest for vengeance. Unlike Mirage, Shadows integrates into the Animus Hub, a new platform that adds modern-day subplots and a reward system.
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 in the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy. The game follows Edward Kenway, a pirate entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict, and introduces key characters like Blackbeard. The modern-day story follows an Abstergo employee reliving 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 AC III and AC IV, focusing on Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin who becomes a Templar. The story features Haytham Kenway and is set during the Seven Years' War. In the present, you play as an Abstergo employee nicknamed "Numbskull."
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 a First Civilization temple. The game is rich with historical figures and concludes Desmond's modern-day arc as he attempts to avert an apocalypse.
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 caught in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The modern-day story, told through cutscenes, focuses on a Helix player manipulated by Abstergo.
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 features twin protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye, fighting to liberate London from Templar control. The game includes notable historical figures and a modern-day narrative centered around another Helix player working with the Assassins.
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 further mainline games have been announced, several remakes of older titles are in development. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed series is in production at Netflix, and Tencent's mobile-exclusive Assassin's Creed Jade has been delayed to 2025.
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