Home > News > Assassin's Creed: Chronological Play Guide

Assassin's Creed: Chronological Play Guide

Author：Kristen Update：May 06,2025

The Assassin's Creed series by Ubisoft has taken players on a remarkable journey through history over its 18-year span. The epic saga of the Assassin-Templar conflict has traversed five continents, from the ancient world of Greece to the bustling streets of Victorian London, covering an impressive 2,300 years of history across 13 mainline games.

With the upcoming release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, we present a comprehensive chronology of the Assassin’s Creed timeline. This guide focuses solely on the mainline games, as spinoffs, while entertaining, do not significantly impact the central narrative of the series.

For a deeper dive into the historical settings of each game, be sure to explore 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

14 Images

How Many Assassin's Creed Games Are There?

The Assassin's Creed series boasts 14 mainline games and an additional 17 spinoff titles. Beyond the realm of video games, fans can look forward to an Assassin's Creed board game and an anticipated TV series in development at Netflix.

Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?

Choosing a starting point in the Assassin's Creed timeline can be daunting, but consider beginning with a game set in an era that captivates you. The Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is renowned for its compelling narrative and character development. Alternatively, if you prefer more recent entries, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers exciting pirate-themed gameplay, while Assassin's Creed Odyssey immerses you in the fascinating world of ancient Greece.

PS4, Xbox One, PC

Assassin's Creed: Ezio Trilogy

0See it at Amazon

Nintendo Switch

Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Trilogy

0See it at Amazon

PS4, Xbox One, PC

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

0See it at Amazon

PS4, Xbox One, PC

Assassin's Creed: Odyssey

0See it at Amazon

How to Play the Assassin’s Creed Games In Order

You can approach the Assassin’s Creed chronology in two distinct ways. First, you can follow the order of the games' modern-day storylines, which provides a continuous narrative thread through each release. This method is ideal if you want to experience the evolution of the series from stealth-action to open-world RPGs. Simply refer to the section on playing the games by release date for this approach.

Alternatively, you can play the games in the order of their historical settings. While the historical narratives are less interconnected, they offer a rich tapestry of different eras and cultures. This approach is more about exploring your interest in history than following a strict gameplay order.

The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order

For newcomers, the following synopses provide a glimpse into each game with only mild spoilers, focusing on broad plot points, historical settings, and key characters.

1. Assassin's Creed Odyssey (431 B.C.–422 B.C.)

Primary setting: Ancient Greece
Historic Protagonist: Cassandra or Alexios
Modern Protagonist: Layla Hassan

Assassin's Creed Odyssey, set nearly 400 years before any other mainline game, marks a significant shift towards open-world RPG gameplay. You assume the role of either Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of Sparta's legendary King Leonidas I. The game unfolds during the Peloponnesian War, interweaving historical events with mythical elements such as the Sphinx, Cyclops, and Medusa. Although set before the formation of the Assassin and Templar orders, it introduces a crucial 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

Following a year-long hiatus, Ubisoft returned with Assassin's Creed Origins in 2017, introducing RPG mechanics to the series. Set in Ancient Egypt during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the game follows Bayek and Aya as they seek vengeance for their son's death. Their journey leads them to uncover the proto-Templar organization, the Order of the Ancients, and ultimately form the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins.

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 and narrative-driven experience priced at $50 USD. It centers on the young Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief with haunting visions who later becomes pivotal in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. In Mirage, Basim, guided by his mentor Roshan, navigates the vibrant city of Baghdad en route to the Hidden Ones' stronghold at Alamut. Unlike other entries, Mirage does not heavily 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 immerses players in Norse history and mythology, offering one of the series' largest game worlds. As Eivor, you lead your clan from the barren lands of Norway to the fertile grounds of England. The game seamlessly blends historical figures such as King Harald Fairhair and King Aelfred the Great with mythical beings like Fenrir and Odin. It continues the saga of the Hidden Ones versus the Order of the Ancients while wrapping up Layla Hassan's modern-day storyline.

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 inaugural Assassin's Creed game introduces Altair Ibn'La-Ahad, setting the stage for the franchise's enduring success. Set during the Third Crusade, the game establishes core gameplay elements like climbing and assassinations, alongside the foundational narrative of the Assassin-Templar conflict. It also introduces the Pieces of Eden and the Animus, integral to the series' time-traveling plot. The modern-day story introduces Desmond Miles, whose journey continues through subsequent games.

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 fan-favorite character whose story spans three games. Driven by the murder of his father and brother, Ezio's quest for vengeance leads him to uncover a broader conspiracy and engage with historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Pope Alexander VI. The game takes players through iconic Italian locales, from Florence to the Vatican. In the present, Desmond begins his collaboration 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 saga, Brotherhood follows the fallout from Assassin's Creed II, introducing a new antagonist. Ezio works to rebuild Rome's Assassins Guild and retrieve the powerful Apple of Eden. In the modern-day, Desmond and the Assassins journey to Italy to secure the same artifact, crucial to preventing 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 Constantinople
Historic Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

The final chapter of the Ezio trilogy sees an older Ezio traveling to Constantinople in search of Altair's hidden library. This journey intertwines Ezio's narrative with Altair's, as Ezio seeks keys to unlock the library, each revealing a pivotal memory of Altair's life. In the present, Desmond navigates the Animus to escape the "Black Room" and regain 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. The game features dual protagonists: Yasuke, an African mercenary turned samurai, and Naoe, a shinobi-in-training. Their paths cross in the Iga province, driven by a shared quest for vengeance. Shadows introduces the Animus Hub, a platform that unifies the Assassin's Creed experience and includes additional modern-day subplots.

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 combat and pirate-themed setting. It follows Edward Kenway, a pirate and grandfather to Assassin's Creed III's Connor Kenway. The game features real-life pirates like Blackbeard and introduces Adéwalé, later the protagonist of Freedom Cry. Edward's journey draws him into the Assassin-Templar conflict and the search for the Observatory, a First Civilization site. In the modern day, an Abstergo employee relives Connor's life to create a film, masking Abstergo's true motives.

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 Assassin's Creed III and IV. It follows Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar, as he hunts a Piece of Eden. The game features Haytham Kenway, connecting it to both Edward and Connor's stories. In the modern day, you play as another Abstergo employee, dubbed "Numbskull," serving the Templar cause.

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 introduces Connor Kenway, who seeks to protect his tribe and the First Civilization's Grand Temple during the American Revolution. The game features prominent historical figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. In the modern day, Desmond's storyline reaches its climax as he and the Assassins race against time to avert an apocalyptic event.

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 entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The game features historical figures like Napoléon Bonaparte and King Louis XVI. In the modern day, the story revolves around a player using Helix, Abstergo's Animus-based gaming software, which serves as a tool for Templar propaganda and DNA collection.

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, who work to liberate Victorian London from Templar control. The game includes encounters with historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Darwin. In the modern day, the same Helix player from Unity assists the Assassins in their quest for a 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 Ubisoft has not announced future mainline games, they are working on remakes of older titles. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed series is in development at Netflix, and the mobile-exclusive Assassin's Creed Jade has been delayed to 2025.

Related Content: