Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise has taken players on an epic journey across five continents, spanning 2,300 years of history over the course of 13 mainline games. From the sands of Ancient Egypt to the bustling streets of Victorian London, the Assassin-Templar conflict has been a thrilling narrative thread through diverse historical settings.

With the upcoming release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, we’ve crafted a detailed chronology of the Assassin’s Creed timeline, focusing exclusively on the mainline games. These are the core entries that drive the overarching narrative, while spinoff games, though entertaining, do not significantly impact the main storyline.

For a deeper dive into the historical eras featured in Assassin's Creed games, explore our comprehensive 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?

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 forthcoming TV series at Netflix.

Which Assassin's Creed Game Should You Play First?

Choosing where to start in the Assassin's Creed saga can be daunting, yet rewarding. If you're drawn to a specific historical era, begin with the game set in that time. However, the original Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is renowned for its compelling storytelling and character development. For those interested in more recent entries, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers a thrilling pirate experience, while Assassin's Creed Odyssey immerses players in the rich 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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Assassin's Creed: Odyssey

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How to Play the Assassin’s Creed Games in Order

There are two primary approaches to experiencing the Assassin's Creed timeline. First, you can follow the modern-day storyline, which unfolds chronologically with each game's release. This method is ideal for those committed to understanding the overarching narrative and witnessing the franchise's evolution from stealth-action to open-world RPGs.

Alternatively, you can explore the games based on their historical settings. Although these historical narratives are less interconnected, they offer a rich tapestry of different eras where you'll spend the majority of your gameplay time.

The Assassin’s Creed Games in Chronological Order

Here's a brief overview of each mainline game in chronological order, with mild spoilers to give you a sense of the setting, protagonists, and key plot points.

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 fully embraces its RPG roots, set during the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens. You play as Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of King Leonidas I, navigating a world filled with historical figures like Hippocrates and mythological beings such as the Sphinx and Medusa. The game predates the formation of the Assassin and Templar orders but features the Spear of Leonidas, a crucial 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 Egypt
Historic Protagonist: Bayek of Siwa
Modern Protagonist: Layla Hassan

Assassin's Creed Origins marks a significant shift, introducing RPG mechanics and serving as a soft reboot for the series. Set during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the game follows Bayek and Aya as they seek vengeance for their son's death, ultimately uncovering the Order of the Ancients and founding the Hidden Ones, the precursors to the Assassins. The modern story introduces Layla Hassan, who continues her journey 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

Assassin's Creed Mirage, released in 2023, returns to the series' stealth-focused roots with a more narrative-driven experience. It follows Basim Ibn Ishaq, a young thief with visions, on his journey from Baghdad to the Hidden Ones' fortress of Alamut. Unlike other entries, Mirage does not heavily feature the present-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 delves into Norse history and mythology, offering the series' largest game to date. Set during Eivor's clan's migration from Norway to England, the game intertwines historical figures with mythological elements, while continuing the conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients. The modern-day story concludes Layla Hassan's 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 original Assassin's Creed introduces Altair Ibn'La-Ahad during the Third Crusade, laying the foundation for the series' core gameplay and narrative elements. It introduces the Pieces of Eden and the Animus, pivotal to the series' time-hopping saga. The present-day story introduces Desmond Miles and the modern 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 Italy
Historic Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles

Assassin's Creed II introduces Ezio Auditore da Firenze, whose story spans three games. Ezio's quest for vengeance against those who wronged his family leads him to the heart of the Assassin-Templar conflict in Renaissance Italy. The modern-day narrative sees Desmond working 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

Brotherhood continues Ezio's journey as he rebuilds the Assassins' presence in Rome and seeks the Apple of Eden. The modern-day story follows Desmond and the Assassins to Italy, in pursuit of the same artifact to prevent an apocalyptic event.

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

Revelations concludes Ezio's trilogy, taking him to Constantinople in search of Altair's library. The game intertwines Ezio's and Altair's stories, revealing Ezio's broader role in the Assassin's Creed narrative. In the present, Desmond navigates the Animus to escape "the Black Room."

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 Naoe and Yasuke. Their paths cross in a quest for vengeance. Shadows does not have its own modern-day protagonist but introduces the Animus Hub, enhancing the series' modern-day elements.

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

Black Flag introduces naval gameplay and follows Edward Kenway, a pirate entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The game features historical pirates and introduces Adéwalé, who later stars in his own spinoff. The modern-day story involves an Abstergo employee reliving Connor Kenway's life.

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"

Rogue serves as a bridge between Assassin's Creed III and IV, following Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar. The present-day narrative follows another Abstergo employee, referred to as "Numbskull," aiding the modern-day 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 focuses on Connor Kenway during the American Revolution, as he protects his tribe and seeks to prevent the Templars from accessing the Grand Temple. The modern-day story concludes Desmond's journey as he and the Assassins work to avert the end of the world.

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, Unity follows Arno Dorian's quest for vengeance and his involvement in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The modern-day narrative is less impactful, featuring cutscenes of a player using Helix, Abstergo's gaming software.

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

Syndicate features twin protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye, who work to liberate London from Templar control. Set primarily in 1868, the game also includes a side mission set during WWI. The modern-day story continues with the same Helix player from Unity, working to locate a Piece of Eden in London.

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

Ubisoft's latest addition to the Assassin's Creed series is Assassin's Creed Shadows, set to release on March 20. While no information is available on future mainline games, remakes of older Assassin's Creed titles are in development. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed series is in production at Netflix, and Tencent's mobile-exclusive title, Assassin's Creed Jade, has been delayed to 2025.