Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise has taken players on an epic journey across five continents, spanning 2,300 years of history through its 13 mainline games. As we approach the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, we've compiled a comprehensive timeline to guide you through the series. This chronology focuses solely on the mainline games, which are pivotal to the overarching narrative of the Assassin-Templar conflict.
For a deeper dive into the historical settings of the Assassin's Creed series, explore our full guide to the Assassin's Creed timeline.
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- How to play in chronological order
- How to play in release order
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 comprises 14 mainline games, with an additional 17 spinoff titles. Beyond video games, the franchise also includes an Assassin's Creed board game and an upcoming TV series at Netflix.
Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?
Starting your Assassin's Creed journey can be daunting, but choosing a game set in an era that fascinates you can enhance your experience. The Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is renowned for its compelling narrative. For a more recent entry, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers thrilling pirate adventures, while Assassin's Creed Odyssey immerses players in the world of ancient 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
You can approach the Assassin's Creed series in two ways: by following the modern-day storyline or by historical setting. The modern-day narrative, which connects each game, progresses with each release. If you're interested in this overarching plot and the evolution of the series from stealth-action to open-world RPGs, playing the games in release order is recommended.
Alternatively, for those intrigued by specific historical periods, playing the games in chronological order by their historic settings can offer a unique perspective. While these stories are less interconnected, they form the bulk of your gameplay experience.
The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order
Below, you'll find brief plot summaries with mild spoilers, focusing on broad plot points, settings, and character introductions, perfect for newcomers.
1. Assassin's Creed Odyssey (431 B.C.–422 B.C.)
Primary setting: Ancient GreeceHistoric Protagonist: Cassandra or AlexiosModern Protagonist: Layla Hassan
Set nearly 400 years before any other mainline game, Assassin's Creed Odyssey fully embraces RPG elements, marking the franchise's shift to open-world RPGs. You play as either Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of Sparta's King Leonidas I, navigating the Peloponnesian War. The game blends historical figures like Hippocrates and Socrates with mythical creatures such as the Sphinx and Medusa. Though predating 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 EgyptHistoric Protagonist: Bayek of SiwaModern Protagonist: Layla Hassan
Following a year-long hiatus, Assassin's Creed Origins marked a soft reboot and introduced RPG mechanics. Set during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the game follows Bayek and Aya, whose quest for vengeance against the Order of the Ancients leads to the formation of the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins. Layla Hassan's modern-day story begins here, continuing through Odyssey and Valhalla.
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/AReleased in 2023, Assassin's Creed Mirage is a $50 USD stealth-focused adventure that pays homage to the series' roots. It follows a young Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief guided by his mentor Roshan, as he journeys from Baghdad to the Hidden Ones' fortress of Alamut. Unlike other entries, Mirage lacks a prominent 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 NorwayHistoric Protagonist: Eivor Varinsson/VarinsdottirModern Protagonist: Layla Hassan
Assassin's Creed Valhalla delves into Norse history and mythology, offering one of the series' largest maps. As Eivor, you lead your clan from Norway to England, navigating the conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients. The game concludes Layla Hassan's modern-day 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-AhadModern Protagonist: Desmond Miles
The inaugural Assassin's Creed game introduces Altair Ibn'La-Ahad during the Third Crusade, setting the stage for the franchise's core mechanics and narrative. It also introduces Desmond Miles and the Animus, pivotal to 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 ItalyHistoric Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da FirenzeModern Protagonist: Desmond Miles
Assassin's Creed II introduces Ezio Auditore da Firenze, whose journey from vengeance to uncovering a larger conspiracy spans three games. Set in Renaissance Italy, Ezio interacts with historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci and Pope Alexander VI, while Desmond begins his collaboration with the modern 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 ItalyHistoric Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da FirenzeModern Protagonist: Desmond Miles
Continuing Ezio's story, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood sees him rebuilding Rome's Assassin Guild and pursuing the Apple of Eden. In the present, Desmond and his team seek the same artifact to avert an apocalyptic prophecy.
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 ConstantinopleHistoric Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da FirenzeModern Protagonist: Desmond Miles
The final chapter of the Ezio trilogy, Assassin's Creed Revelations, sees an aging Ezio seeking Altair's hidden library in Constantinople. The game intertwines Ezio's and Altair's narratives, while Desmond navigates the Animus to escape a coma.
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 YasukeModern protagonist: N/A
Set during Japan's late Sengoku period, Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, whose paths cross in a quest for vengeance. The game coincides with the Animus Hub, a new platform integrating modern-day subplots and rewards.
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 IslandsHistoric Protagonist: Edward KenwayModern 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. Edward Kenway, a pirate and ancestor of Connor Kenway, becomes entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict while seeking The Observatory. The modern-day story follows an Abstergo employee uncovering Connor's life for a film project.
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 NortheastHistoric Protagonist: Shay Patrick CormacModern Protagonist: Abstergo Employee "Numbskull"
Assassin's Creed Rogue bridges the narratives of AC III and AC IV, following Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar. The modern-day segments feature an Abstergo employee known as "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 AmericaHistoric Protagonist: Ratonhnhaké "Connor" KenwayModern Protagonist: Desmond Miles
Set during the American Revolution, Assassin's Creed III follows Connor Kenway as he protects his tribe and a First Civilization temple from the Templars. The modern-day story concludes Desmond's arc, culminating in a race against time 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 FranceHistoric Protagonist: Arno DorianModern Protagonist: Unnamed Helix Player
Set during the French Revolution, Assassin's Creed Unity follows Arno Dorian, who becomes embroiled in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The modern-day segments feature a player using Helix, Abstergo's gaming software, though these scenes are less impactful on the overall narrative.
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 PlayerAssassin's Creed Syndicate introduces twin protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye, who aim to liberate Victorian London from Templar control. The modern-day story follows the same Helix player from Unity, now working with the Assassins to locate 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 is set to release on March 20, 2024. While no information is available on future mainline games, remakes of older titles are in development. A live-action Assassin's Creed series is also in production at Netflix, and Assassin's Creed Jade, a mobile-exclusive game, has been delayed to 2025.Related Content:
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- Shop the coolest Assassin's Creed merch at the IGN Store
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