How to Play the Assassin's Creed Games in Chronological Order

Over its 18-year history, Ubisoft's *Assassin's Creed* franchise has taken players on an epic journey through time and across five continents. The ongoing conflict between Assassins and Templars has unfolded across 2,300 years of history, spanning 13 mainline games from Ancient Greece to Victorian London. With the upcoming release of *Assassin's Creed Shadows*, we present a chronological overview of the mainline *Assassin's Creed* timeline.

*For a deeper dive into the historical eras featured in *Assassin's Creed* games, explore our comprehensive guide to the *Assassin's Creed* timeline.*

**Jump to:**

• Chronological Order
• Release Order

Mainline Assassin's Creed Games in Chronological Order

How Many Assassin's Creed Games Are There?

Currently, the main series boasts 14 *Assassin's Creed* games, supplemented by 17 spin-offs. Beyond video games, a board game and a Netflix TV series are reportedly in development.

Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?

The *Assassin's Creed* timeline offers numerous starting points. Begin with an era that intrigues you most. However, the original Ezio trilogy (*Assassin's Creed II*, *Brotherhood*, and *Revelations*) is renowned for its compelling narrative. For more recent entries, *Black Flag* offers engaging seafaring gameplay, while *Odyssey* immerses you in the world of ancient Greece.

How to Play the Assassin’s Creed Games In Order

There are two approaches to experiencing the *Assassin's Creed* chronology. First, follow the modern-day storylines, progressing chronologically with each release. This offers the best understanding of the overarching narrative and the franchise's evolution. The second option (detailed below) arranges the games chronologically by their historical settings. This approach is more suitable for exploring the historical aspects of the series.

The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order

The following synopses contain only mild spoilers.

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 centuries before the Assassin-Templar conflict, *Odyssey* expands on the RPG elements introduced in *Origins*. You play as Cassandra or Alexios, navigating the Peloponnesian War and encountering historical and mythological figures. The game features the Spear of Leonidas, a key Piece of Eden.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna

2. Assassin's Creed Origins (49 B.C.–44 B.C.)

Primary setting: Ancient Egypt
Historic Protagonist: Bayek of Siwa
Modern Protagonist: Layla Hassan

A soft reboot introducing RPG mechanics, *Origins* is set in Ancient Egypt during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra. Bayek and Aya uncover a proto-Templar organization and form the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins. Layla Hassan's introduction marks the beginning of her present-day arc.

Available on: PS4, Xbox, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna

3. Assassin's Creed Mirage (861–???)

Primary setting: 9th Century Baghdad
Historic Protagonist: Basim Ibn Ishaq
Modern Protagonist: N/A

A return to the series' stealth-focused roots, *Mirage* tells the story of a young Basim Ibn Ishaq, whose destiny intertwines with the Hidden Ones. This installment minimizes the modern-day storyline.

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Amazon Luna

4. Assassin's Creed Valhalla (872–878)

Primary setting: 9th Century England and Norway
Historic Protagonist: Eivor Varinsson/Varinsdottir
Modern Protagonist: Layla Hassan

Set in the age of Vikings, *Valhalla* blends Norse history and mythology. Eivor leads their clan's journey from Norway to England, encountering both historical and mythological figures. Layla Hassan's arc continues in this installment.

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna

5. Assassin's Creed (1191)

Primary setting: 12th Century Holy Land
Historic Protagonist: Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

The original *Assassin's Creed* introduces Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad during the Third Crusade. This game establishes core gameplay elements and introduces key narrative concepts like Pieces of Eden and the Animus. Desmond Miles' introduction marks the beginning of his present-day arc.

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, PC

6. Assassin's Creed II (1476–1499)

Primary setting: 15th Century Italy
Historic Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

Introducing the popular Ezio Auditore, *Assassin's Creed II* follows his quest for vengeance and his involvement in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The game features historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolò Machiavelli.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, Switch (The Ezio Collection); PS3, Xbox 360, PC (Original Release)

7. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (1499–1507)

Primary setting: 15th-16th Century Italy
Historic Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

A direct sequel to *Assassin's Creed II*, *Brotherhood* continues Ezio's story as he rebuilds Rome's Assassin Brotherhood and seeks a Piece of Eden. Desmond's search for the same Piece of Eden continues in the present-day storyline.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, Switch (The Ezio Collection); PS3, Xbox 360, PC (Original Release)

8. Assassin's Creed: Revelations (1511–1512)

Primary setting: 16th Century Constantinople
Historic Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

Concluding Ezio's trilogy, *Revelations* sees him searching for Altaïr's hidden library in Constantinople. The present-day storyline focuses on Desmond's efforts to escape the Animus and return to consciousness.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, Switch (The Ezio Collection); PS3, Xbox 360, PC (Original Release)

9. Assassin's Creed Shadows (1581)

Primary setting: Feudal Japan
Historic Protagonist: Naoe and Yasuke
Modern Protagonist: N/A

Set during the Sengoku period, *Shadows* features dual protagonists, each with their unique story. The game coincides with the release of the Animus Hub, adding modern-day subplots and a reward system.

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

10. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (1715–1722)

Primary setting: 18th Century Caribbean Islands
Historic Protagonist: Edward Kenway
Modern Protagonist: Unnamed Abstergo Employee

Introducing naval gameplay, *Black Flag* stars Edward Kenway, a pirate who becomes entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The present-day story features an unnamed Abstergo employee reliving Edward's memories.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC, Stadia; Switch (The Rebel Collection)

11. Assassin's Creed Rogue (1752–1760)

Primary setting: 18th Century American Northeast
Historic Protagonist: Shay Patrick Cormac
Modern Protagonist: Abstergo Employee "Numbskull"

Serving as a bridge between *Assassin's Creed III* and *Black Flag*, *Rogue* follows Shay Patrick Cormac's transformation from Assassin to Templar. The present-day story features another Abstergo employee working for the Templars.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Stadia; Switch (The Rebel Collection)

12. Assassin's Creed III (1754–1783)

Primary setting: 18th Century Colonial America
Historic Protagonist: Ratonhnhaké:ton "Connor" Kenway
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

Set during the American Revolution, *Assassin's Creed III* features Connor Kenway's fight to protect his tribe and a First Civilization temple. Desmond Miles' arc concludes in the present-day storyline.

Available on: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC, Stadia

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, *Unity* follows Arno Dorian's journey through the Assassin-Templar conflict. The modern-day storyline is presented through cutscenes within Abstergo's Helix software.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna

14. Assassin's Creed Syndicate (1868)

Primary setting: Victorian London
Historic Protagonists: Jacob and Evie Frye
Modern Protagonist: Unnamed Helix Player

Featuring twin protagonists, *Syndicate* takes place in Victorian London, where the Frye twins combat the Templars. The modern-day storyline involves another Helix player working with the Assassins.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna

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 latest release. Several remakes of older games are also in development. A live-action Netflix series and a mobile-exclusive title, *Assassin's Creed Jade*, are also planned.

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