The Assassin's Creed series has captivated gamers worldwide since its debut in 2007, transporting players through various historical settings from Renaissance Italy to Ancient Greece. Ubisoft's open-world saga stands out in its genre by blending historical exploration with intricate conspiracies, offering a semi-educational journey through the past. This unique approach distinguishes it from contemporaries that often favor fantasy or modern urban landscapes.
While the core mechanics of Assassin's Creed have remained consistent across its 14 mainline entries, the series has evolved significantly, introducing new elements in player progression and expansive worlds.
Determining the best Assassin's Creed games is no easy feat. After extensive discussion, we've narrowed down our top 10 mainline entries in the series. Here's our list of the top 10 Assassin’s Creed games.
The 10 Best Assassin's Creed Games
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Playing the latest game in the series? Check out our Assassin's Creed Shadows guide.
Assassin's Creed: Revelations
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations masterfully concludes the stories of Altair Ibn-La-Ahad and Ezio Auditore. Despite some less remarkable additions like the Den Defense mode, the game offers a thrilling send-off. From ziplining through Constantinople to interacting with Leonardo Da Vinci, Revelations is packed with fascinating adventures. It serves as both a celebration of the series' past and a glimpse into its future, providing a final chapter for these iconic characters.
Assassin's Creed Syndicate
Assassin’s Creed games are deeply tied to their settings, and Syndicate's portrayal of 19th-century Victorian London during industrialization is particularly memorable. Players can sneak through factories, race horse-drawn carriages, and even confront Jack the Ripper, grounding the game in a setting that feels both fantastical and real. The game's score, composed by Austin Wintory, adds a unique ambiance, with distinct soundtracks for protagonists Jacob and Evie Fry. The attention to detail, including the effective use of a cane as a weapon, elevates Syndicate's immersive world.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Assassin's Creed Valhalla builds upon the foundation laid by Origins with significant changes. The combat feels more impactful, side quests are replaced with organic world events, and the loot system is streamlined, making rewards more meaningful. While Eivor may not be the most beloved protagonist, their story seamlessly blends historical fantasy with Norse mythology. The game's expansion into the world of Thor and Odin offers an experience akin to God of War, delighting fans of Norse lore.
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood continues Ezio Auditore da Firenze's journey, solidifying his status as a fan-favorite. Set in an expansive Rome, the game builds on Assassin’s Creed 2's mechanics, introducing swimming, property management, firearms, and recruitable allies. The charm, wit, and drama of Ezio’s story, combined with updated combat, fulfill the dream of becoming a formidable assassin. Brotherhood also pioneered multiplayer, allowing players to experience the game from the Templar perspective, challenging friends to determine who is the best assassin or hunter.
Assassin's Creed Origins
Origins marked a pivotal shift for the series, evolving from a stealth-focused action-adventure to a full-fledged open-world RPG. This transition was vital for reinvigorating the franchise. The compelling narrative of Bayek and Aya, set against the backdrop of ancient Egypt, is captivating. Their quest for justice leads to the founding of the Assassin’s Brotherhood, while the exploration of Egypt's vast world is awe-inspiring. The introduction of loot-based progression and an action RPG-style combat system breathed new life into the series.
Assassin's Creed Unity
Assassin’s Creed Unity returned to the series' roots after the pirate-themed Black Flag, introducing a more serious tone. As the first AC game exclusively for next-gen consoles, Unity's graphical prowess and detailed recreation of Paris were groundbreaking. Despite a rocky launch plagued by bugs, subsequent patches transformed it into a beloved entry. The enhanced parkour system offers fluid and elegant movement, while the main assassination missions are highlights, providing multiple infiltration methods. The detailed depiction of Notre Dame alone is a testament to Unity's value.
Assassin's Creed Shadows
Developer: Ubisoft Quebec | Publisher: Ubisoft | Release date: March 20, 2025 | Review: Read IGN's Assassin's Creed Shadows review
Set in the long-awaited Feudal Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows meets the high expectations set by fans. The game refocuses on stealth and assassinations, with a more balanced open world and RPG elements compared to its predecessors. Featuring two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, Shadows offers a dual perspective—Naoe's stealth-based toolkit contrasts with Yasuke's samurai combat. Exploring Japan's dynamic landscapes across changing seasons provides an unparalleled experience in the series.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey expands on Origins’ combat and role-playing elements, setting them against the backdrop of Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War. The game's expansive world is both vibrant and stunning, with engaging naval warfare. The notoriety system introduces tense cat-and-mouse chases, while the nation struggle system involves large-scale battles. With a compelling story and charismatic protagonists, Odyssey offers endless exploration and discovery, making it a joy to immerse oneself in its world.
Assassin's Creed 2
Assassin’s Creed 2 set the benchmark for the series, proving the potential of the original concept. It introduced more dynamic assassination missions, increased flexibility in objectives, and enhanced combat and mobility, including swimming. New catacomb missions tested players' parkour skills, and the upgradeable villa provided motivation to collect items. Leonardo da Vinci's inventions added fresh gameplay elements. Set in the Italian Renaissance, AC2 introduced the iconic protagonist Ezio Auditore da Firenze and seamlessly connected past and present narratives, culminating in an unforgettable ending.
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
Black Flag introduced a fresh take with protagonist Edward Kenway, a pirate first and an assassin second, resulting in a thrilling adventure. The Caribbean setting serves as a vast sandbox filled with islands to explore and treasures to find. The upgrade system and naval combat from Assassin’s Creed 3 are expanded, making sailing and ship battles central to the experience. Seamless transitions from land to sea enhance player freedom, allowing for varied combat approaches. Black Flag not only stands as a highlight in the Assassin's Creed series but also as one of the best pirate games ever.
### Every Assassin's Creed Game Tier ListEvery Assassin's Creed Game Tier List
You may also like: The Best Games Like Assassin's Creed.
And there you have it! Those are our top Assassin’s Creed games. Do you disagree with the ranking? Do you think another entry should have made the list? Share your favorite Assassin’s Creed game in the comments.
Upcoming Assassin's Creed Games
For those eager to know what's next in the Assassin's Creed universe, several exciting titles are on the horizon. Assassin's Creed Shadows, set in Feudal Japan, allows players to explore the paths of a shinobi and a samurai. Assassin's Creed Jade, set in ancient China, is in development for mobile devices, though its release date remains unconfirmed. Additionally, Assassin's Creed: Codename Hexe promises a mysterious and occult-themed adventure that will introduce new concepts to the series.
Assassin's Creed: The Complete Playlist
From the 2007 debut to upcoming projects across consoles, PCs, mobile, and VR, here is the entire Assassin's Creed series in one comprehensive list. Log in to track which ones you've played.
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