Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the latest addition to the storied Assassin’s Creed series, set in the rich historical context of feudal Japan. This setting positions it at the midpoint of the series' sprawling timeline, which does not follow a linear progression but rather jumps across various significant historical epochs. From the ancient Peloponnesian War to the brink of the First World War, each game explores pivotal moments in history, weaving together a tapestry of events that span centuries.
With 14 mainline games and counting, the timeline of Assassin’s Creed has become increasingly intricate. IGN has meticulously analyzed every piece of lore to create a comprehensive timeline that orders the series' events chronologically, helping fans understand the overarching narrative and how each game fits into the grand scheme.
The Isu Era
75,000 BCE
To fully appreciate the Assassin’s Creed timeline, it's crucial to understand the lore of the Isu. This ancient civilization, known as the Isu, once ruled Earth with god-like powers. They engineered humans to serve as their workforce, controlling them through the Apples of Eden, potent artifacts that maintained their dominion. However, humans, led by figures like Eve and Adam, rebelled against their creators, sparking a decade-long war. The conflict was abruptly ended by a catastrophic solar flare that decimated the Isu, allowing humanity to rise from the ashes and claim the planet.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
431 to 422 BCE - Peloponnesian War
Amidst the turmoil of the Peloponnesian War in Greece, mercenary Kassandra uncovers the sinister Cult of Kosmos, manipulating the war from the shadows. Her journey reveals that her brother, Alexios, was abducted by the Cult as a child and transformed into a weapon due to his lineage from the Isu-descended Spartan King Leonidas. Kassandra's quest to dismantle the Cult involves neutralizing their Isu device that predicts future outcomes, ultimately bringing peace to Greece. Along the way, she reconnects with her father, Pythagoras, who entrusts her with the Staff of Hermes, granting her immortality to protect the mythical city of Atlantis.
Assassin’s Creed Origins
49 to 43 BCE - Ptolemaic Egypt
In the era of Cleopatra's reign, Bayek, a peacekeeper, and his wife Aya confront the Order of the Ancients, a group tied to the Cult of Kosmos. After the tragic loss of their son during an escape from the Order, Bayek and Aya embark on a mission to dismantle this global conspiracy, which seeks to manipulate world events using Isu artifacts like the Apples of Eden. Their efforts lead to the establishment of The Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassin Brotherhood, dedicated to resisting the Order's control.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
861 - Islamic Golden Age
By the Islamic Golden Age, The Hidden Ones have established strongholds worldwide, including Alamut in Iran. Here, Basim, a former street thief from Baghdad, is trained as an assassin and tasked with thwarting the Order of the Ancients' plans. His investigations lead him to an Isu temple beneath Alamut, where he learns of his past life as Loki, an Isu, and vows to seek revenge against his ancient captors.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
872 to 878 - Viking Invasion of England
A decade later, Basim joins a Viking clan in England, led by Sigurd and Eivor, as they combat the Order of the Ancients. Their journey reveals the Order's influence over King Alfred, who seeks to impose a Christian regime. Amidst this, Sigurd's visions, triggered by an Isu artifact, reveal their past lives as Odin and Týr, respectively, and Basim's quest for revenge against them. Eivor ultimately defeats Basim, trapping him in a simulated world, and returns to England to lead their people to victory against King Alfred.
Assassin’s Creed
1191 - Third Crusade
By the time of the Third Crusade, The Hidden Ones have evolved into the Assassin Brotherhood. Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, an assassin, is tasked with retrieving an Apple of Eden from the Templars, the evolved form of the Order of the Ancients. His mission uncovers a plot by his mentor, Al Mualim, to use the artifact for world domination. Altaïr's actions lead him to kill Al Mualim and take leadership of the Brotherhood.
Assassin’s Creed 2
1476 to 1499 - Italian Renaissance
During the Italian Renaissance, Ezio Auditore da Firenze joins the Assassin Brotherhood to avenge his family, killed by the Templars. His journey leads him to confront the Templar-aligned Borgia family, culminating in a battle within the Vatican where he encounters the Isu Minerva. She warns of an impending global disaster and directs Ezio towards Isu vaults that could help humanity survive.
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood
1499 to 1507 - Italian Renaissance
Ezio continues his fight against the Templars, rebuilding the weakened Assassin Brotherhood. After a clash with the Borgia's forces, he reclaims the Apple of Eden and secures it in an Isu vault beneath the Colosseum, safeguarding it from Templar hands.
Assassin’s Creed Revelations
1511 to 1512 - Ottoman Civil War
Seeking more Isu knowledge, Ezio travels to Masyaf, discovering Altaïr's library. His quest leads him to Constantinople, where he allies with the Ottoman Assassins against the Byzantine Templars. Inside the library, he finds Altaïr's remains and a message from the Isu Jupiter about data crucial for humanity's survival, which he leaves for a future observer.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
1579 - Sengoku Period
Set during Japan's Sengoku period, Assassin’s Creed Shadows follows Yasuke, an African mercenary, and Naoe, a shinobi, as they navigate the political unification efforts of Oda Nobunaga. Their paths converge as they pursue a common goal amidst the backdrop of Japan's turbulent history.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
1715 to 1722 - Golden Age of Piracy
In the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy, Edward Kenway becomes entangled in a Templar plot to control the world through the Observatory, an Isu device that spies on humanity. His journey involves allying with pirates and confronting the Sage, Bartholomew Roberts, ultimately choosing to protect the world over personal gain.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue
1752 to 1776 - French and Indian War
Shay Patrick Cormac, once an Assassin, turns against the Brotherhood after a mission causes a devastating earthquake in Lisbon. Joining the Templars, he ascends their ranks, thwarting the Assassins' pursuit of Isu artifacts and suggesting a revolution in France to counter their influence in America.
Assassin’s Creed 3
1754 to 1783 - American Revolution
Haytham Kenway, a Templar, seeks to unlock the Isu's Grand Temple but fails, later fathering a son, Ratonhnhaké:ton, with a Mohawk woman. After his mother's death, Ratonhnhaké:ton, now Connor, joins the Assassins and fights against the Templars during the American Revolution. His confrontation with Haytham ends in tragedy, with Connor burying the Grand Temple key, thwarting the Templars' plans.
Assassin’s Creed Liberation
1765 to 1777 - Spanish Occupation of Louisiana
Aveline de Grandpré, an Assassin in New Orleans, uncovers a Templar plot involving slavery and Isu artifacts. Her journey leads her to confront her own stepmother, the mastermind behind the plot, and to learn about the human rebellion against the Isu led by Eve.
Assassin’s Creed Unity
1789 to 1794 - French Revolution
Orphaned Arno Dorian grows up within the Templar ranks but is framed for murder and joins the Assassins. His quest leads him to uncover a Templar plot during the French Revolution, culminating in a confrontation with the Sage, François-Thomas Germain, and the sealing of his remains to prevent further Templar access.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
1868 - Victorian England
In Victorian London, twin Assassins Jacob and Evie Frye combat the Templar-controlled city. Their efforts lead them to recover The Shroud, an Isu artifact, thwarting the Templars' plans and strengthening the Assassin Brotherhood in London.
Transition Period
1914 to 2012
The Assassin’s Creed series frames its historical narratives with a modern-day storyline. During this transition period, the Templars establish Abstergo Industries, a front for their control through capitalism. They develop the Animus, a machine that allows users to explore their ancestors' memories, aiming to uncover Isu artifacts and manipulate the future.
Assassin’s Creed 1, 2, Brotherhood, Revelations, and 3
2012
Desmond Miles, a bartender with Assassin ancestry, is captured by Abstergo to locate Isu artifacts. Escaping with help from an Assassin mole, he explores the memories of Altaïr and Ezio, uncovering a prophecy of an impending apocalypse. His journey leads him to the Grand Temple, where he sacrifices himself to activate Isu technology, preventing disaster but releasing the Isu Juno.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
2013
Post-Desmond, Abstergo uses his genetic material to explore Edward Kenway's memories in search of the Observatory. An Abstergo researcher, known as "The Noob," uncovers a plot involving the modern-day Sage, John Standish, who seeks to host Juno but is killed before he can complete his plan.
Assassin’s Creed Unity
2014
Abstergo releases the Helix software, allowing the public to explore genetic memories. An Assassin initiate uses it to follow Arno Dorian's life, locating the remains of Sage François-Thomas Germain, ensuring they remain out of Abstergo's reach.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
2015
The initiate continues their mission, exploring the memories of Jacob and Evie Frye to find The Shroud. Abstergo's attempt to use it to create an Isu is thwarted, and Juno's manipulation of Abstergo employees is revealed.
Assassin’s Creed Origins
2017
Layla Hassan, an Abstergo researcher, develops a new Animus and uses it to explore the memories of Bayek and Aya, founders of The Hidden Ones. Her work attracts the attention of the modern Assassin Brotherhood, who recruit her.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
2018
Using DNA from the Spear of Leonidas, Layla explores Kassandra's memories, discovering Atlantis and receiving the Staff of Hermes. Kassandra's final act entrusts Layla with the mission to balance the world between Templars and Assassins.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
2020
Layla investigates magnetic field fluctuations linked to the Isu technology Desmond activated. Her exploration of Eivor's memories leads her to the Yggdrasil computer, where she works to stabilize the Earth's magnetic field. Meanwhile, Basim escapes the simulation, claiming the Staff of Hermes and joining the Assassins to pursue his own agenda.
Assassin's Creed: The Complete Playlist
From the debut title in 2007 to the latest releases across consoles, PC, mobile, and VR, the Assassin's Creed series offers a rich array of experiences. Here's a comprehensive list of all the games in the franchise, allowing fans to track their journey through history and intrigue.
