Assassin's Creed: Chronological Play Guide

The Assassin's Creed franchise has captivated players for 18 years, taking them across five continents and through 2,300 years of history across 13 mainline games. From Ancient Greece to Victorian London, the series has explored a wide range of historical settings while weaving the epic saga of the Assassin-Templar conflict.

With the upcoming release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, we've compiled a comprehensive chronology of the mainline Assassin's Creed games to help you navigate this expansive universe. This timeline focuses solely on the mainline entries, as spinoffs do not significantly impact the overarching narrative.

For a deeper dive into the historical eras covered in Assassin's Creed, be sure to check out our full 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

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How Many Assassin's Creed Games Are There?

There are currently 14 mainline Assassin's Creed games and 17 additional spinoffs. Beyond video games, the franchise also includes an Assassin's Creed board game and a TV series in development at Netflix.

Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?

The Assassin's Creed series offers several starting points, each set in a different era. If you're drawn to specific historical periods, that's a great place to begin. However, the Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is renowned for its compelling narrative. For more recent entries, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers exciting 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

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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

There are two approaches to experiencing the Assassin's Creed series: by the modern-day storyline or by the historical settings. Playing in release order follows the progression of the modern-day narrative, which connects each game and showcases the series' evolution from stealth-action to open-world RPGs. This is the recommended order for a complete understanding of the overarching story.

Alternatively, playing by historical setting offers a unique perspective on the franchise's diverse time periods, though these stories are less interconnected than their modern-day counterparts.

The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order

Below are brief plot summaries for each mainline Assassin's Creed game, presented in chronological order. These summaries contain mild spoilers such as 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 expands on the RPG elements introduced in Origins, fully transitioning the series into an open-world RPG. You play as Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of Sparta's King Leonidas I, during the Peloponnesian War. The game blends historical figures like Hippocrates and Socrates with mythological creatures such as the Sphinx and Medusa. Though set before the formation of the Assassin and Templar orders, it introduces a key Piece of Eden—the Spear of Leonidas.

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, released in 2017, marks a soft reboot of the franchise with the introduction of RPG mechanics. Set in Ancient Egypt during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the story follows Bayek and Aya as they uncover a proto-Templar organization called the Order of the Ancients and form the Hidden Ones, the first Assassins. Layla Hassan's modern-day story also 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/A

Released in 2023, Assassin's Creed Mirage is a more focused, stealth-driven adventure priced at $50 USD. It follows a young Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief with nightmarish visions, as he escapes Baghdad and heads to the Hidden Ones' fortress of Alamut under the guidance of his mentor Roshan. Unlike other entries, Mirage does not feature 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 Norway
Historic Protagonist: Eivor Varinsson/Varinsdottir
Modern Protagonist: Layla Hassan

Assassin's Creed Valhalla explores Norse history and mythology, making it the series' largest game to date. Set during the Viking Age, it follows Eivor and their clan's journey from Norway to England, integrating historical figures like King Harald Fairhair with mythological elements such as Fenrir and Odin. The game continues the conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients while concluding 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-Ahad
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

The first Assassin's Creed game introduces Altair Ibn'La-Ahad and sets the stage for the series' success. Set during the Third Crusade, Altair hunts down nine Templars, while the modern-day story introduces Desmond Miles and the ongoing Assassin-Templar conflict. This game lays the foundation for the franchise's key elements, including the Animus and the Pieces of Eden.

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 the beloved protagonist Ezio Auditore da Firenze, whose story spans three games. Seeking vengeance for his family's murder, Ezio uncovers a larger conspiracy and navigates the Assassin-Templar conflict across Italy, interacting with historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci and Pope Alexander VI. In the present day, Desmond begins his work 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

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood continues Ezio's story as he rebuilds Rome's Assassins Guild and seeks the Apple of Eden. The present-day narrative follows Desmond and his team to Italy in pursuit of the same artifact, which they believe can prevent the world's end.

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 travel to Constantinople in search of Altair's library. Through memories stored in the keys to the library, Ezio learns about Altair's life and his role in the Assassin's Creed narrative. In the present, Desmond navigates the Animus to escape "the Black Room" and return to consciousness.

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

Assassin's Creed Shadows transports players to Feudal Japan during the late Sengoku period. Featuring dual protagonists, Yasuke, an African mercenary turned samurai, and Naoe, a shinobi-in-training, the game explores their intertwined paths of vengeance. Unlike other recent entries, Shadows does not have a dedicated modern-day protagonist but coincides with the release of the Animus Hub, enhancing the modern-day experience.

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. Edward Kenway, a pirate and grandfather of Connor Kenway, becomes entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict while hunting for a First Civilization site. The modern-day story follows an Abstergo employee uncovering Connor's life for a film, though Abstergo's motives are sinister.

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 turned Templar. The game follows his quest to hunt down a Piece of Eden, with appearances by Templar Grand Master Haytham Kenway. The modern-day story involves another Abstergo employee, nicknamed "Numbskull," working 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 follows Connor Kenway during the American Revolution as he seeks to protect his tribe and a First Civilization's Grand Temple from the Templars. The game features historical figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. The present-day narrative concludes Desmond's journey as he and his team work to prevent the world's end.

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 on his quest for vengeance and his involvement in the Assassin-Templar conflict. Historical figures such as Napoléon Bonaparte and King Louis XVI appear. The modern-day story involves a player using Helix, Abstergo's Animus-powered gaming software, to experience Arno's life.

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 as they fight to liberate London from Templar control while seeking a Piece of Eden. Set in 1868, the game includes historical figures like Charles Darwin and Alexander Graham Bell. The modern-day narrative follows the same Helix player from Unity, now 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 the next installment, set to release on March 20. While no information on future mainline games is available, Ubisoft's CEO has confirmed remakes of older Assassin's Creed games 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.