All Assassin's Creed games in chronological order, release dates & best order to play
The Assassin’s Creed series has taken us to a large variety of places and time periods, and playing them all in chronological order is a fantastic way to experience the narrative of each game so far.
However, the Assassin’s Creed release order isn’t the same as the order the games take place chronologically. Ubisoft have gone back and forth between different time periods, so it can be quite confusing to keep track of when each game takes place.
So, if you need a helping hand in playing the mainline Assassin’s Creed games in chronological order, we've got you covered with our full list of all the games in the order they take place. Or if you want to know when each game came out, we've got a list of them by release date too!
How many Assassin's Creed games are there?
Currently, as of 2024, there are 16 Assassin's Creed games within the franchise in total.
This includes AC Mirage, which launched on October 5th with Basim leading the charge as the singular protagonist, as well as the Liberation and Freedom Cry titles. However, those last two titles aren't considered main titles in the series.
List of AC games in chronological order
1 - Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (431 B.C. - 422 B.C.)
Click to enlarge- Release date: October 2, 2018
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
If you want to start at the very beginning, you’ll need to pick up Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Set during an era when the Romans and Greeks were at war with one another, you play as Kassandra as you trot around Ancient Greece.
This was the second game to adopt the RPG style of gameplay, so expect plenty of open-world exploration, lots of side quests, and even some mythical beats to take down along the way.
2 - Assassin's Creed Origins (49 B.C. - 44 B.C.)
Click to enlarge- Release date: October 27, 2017
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Despite literally being titled the “Origins” of Assassin’s Creed, this title is actually the second game in the series chronology. Set 400 years after the events of Odyssey, you play as Bayek as the beginnings of the Order of Assassins is founded.
This was Ubisofts first attempt at an Assassin’s Creed RPG, and it was certainly a success. The level-gated areas might not be for some, but uncovering the secrets of Egypt is a bewildering experience.
3 - Assassin's Creed Mirage (861)
Click to enlarge- Release date: October 5, 2023
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Next up, we have the Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which takes place in Baghdad during the Abbasid Caliphate, starting in the year 861. Players take control of Basim, a returning character from the next game on our list, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Mirage is a return to the original style of gameplay from the very first Assassin’s Creed games. Focusing on black-box stealth missions and parkouring through a dense urban environment, Mirage is breath of fresh air for the series.
4 - Assassin's Creed Valhalla (872 - 878)
Click to enlarge- Release date: November 10, 2020
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
The third and final instalment in the RPG series of Assassin’s Creed games, we have Valhalla. This time, players will be taking on the role of Eivor, a Nordic Viking who’s invaded the lands of England.
Taking place across the whole of the country, players will take part in all sorts of raids and other adventures with a unique collection of characters. Each story arc is framed almost like an episode of a TV show, so while Valhalla is a particularly chunky game, it can be played in palatable chunks.
5 - Assassin's Creed (1191)
Click to enlarge- Release date: November 13, 2007
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Now, we’re getting to the original Assassin’s Creed games which were all released in chronological order - at least for the first few years.
Assassin’s Creed is set in the Holy Land during the Third Crusade, a particularly turbulent time for that part of the world. You play as Altair, travelling far and wide to hunt down assassination contracts for the good of the creed.
Players might have a hard time going back to these dated controls. However, this is where it all started for Assassin’s Creed, so it’s worth persevering through.
6 - Assassin's Creed 2 (1476 - 1499)
Click to enlarge- Release date: November 17, 2009
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Perhaps the best Assassin’s Creed game of the lot, Assassin’s Creed 2 takes players away from the Holy Land and into the heart of Italy. Following the story of everyone’s favourite assassin, Ezio Auditore, we see him uncover the true nature of his family's heritage, and take up the creed for himself.
Set across several cities, including Florence and Venice to name a couple, this story is heralded as one of the best in the Assassin’s Creed series for good reason.
7 - Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (1499 - 1507)
Click to enlarge- Release date: November 16, 2010
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Picking up a couple of years later, we see a more mature Ezio Auditore continue on his quest to build up the assassin brotherhood, this time in the city of Rome. While locked in a constant battle with the Borgias, Ezio has plenty to overcome in this story, which is why is a favourite among fans.
8 - Assassin's Creed: Revelations (1511–1512)
Click to enlarge- Release date: November 15, 2011
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Rounding out the Ezio trilogy is Assassin’s Creed Revelations. At this point in his story, Ezio is almost ready to settle down after his long and tiresome career. However, one last adventure calls as he tracks down the origins of the order, leading him right back to Altair and Masyaf Castle.
Set in gorgeous Constantinople, this game marks the end of an era for Assassin’s Creed but also managed to send off potentially its best protagonist in a heartfelt, meaningful way.
9 - Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag (1715–1722)
Click to enlarge- Release date: October 29, 2013
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Time for a change of pace with Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag. This time, players take control of Edward Kenway, a feared pirate in the Caribbean who accidentally finds himself wrapped up in the order of assassins.
Black Flag is yet another breath of fresh air for the series. Not only does it overhaul the present-day segments, but it also introduced naval combat, which has gone on to inspire other games ahead of it, including Ubisofts own Skull and Bones.
10 - Assassin's Creed Rogue (1752–1760)
Click to enlarge- Release date: November 11, 2014
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
In a similar vein to Black Flag, Assassin’s Creed Rogue has a similar vibe with the Irish protagonist Shay Patrick Cormac taking on the role of a privateer himself. Naval combat returns, but this title mostly focuses on Cormac’s story as he turns from Templar to Assassin.
This title was released as a last-generation title alongside Unity in 2014, hence why it doesn’t receive as much attention. However, it’s still an enjoyable entry in the Assassin’s Creed series, and is actually pretty influential in the narrative events of games like 3 and Unity.
11 - Assassin's Creed 3 (1754–1783)
Click to enlarge- Release date: October 30, 2012
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Assassin’s Creed 3 was released before Black Flag and Rogue, but is actually set just a little after those two titles. Here, we follow the story of Connor - a half-English half-Mohawk assassin born into Colonial America.
The environment here is drastically different to explore, taking place in the verdant forests that surround the early days of Washington. Exploring this unique slice of history through the eyes of Connor is remarkably interesting, perhaps more so than any other period that Assassin’s Creed has explored yet.
12 - Assassins Creed Unity (1789–1794)
Click to enlarge- Release date: November 11, 2014
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
We’re down to our last two, most modern Assassin’s Creed games. Assassin’s Creed Unity is set in Paris during the turbulent French Revolution. Our main character Arno brushes sleeves with plenty of influential figures from this time, and with guillotines on every corner, this might be one of the most brutal titles in the series.
It’s also without a doubt the most gorgeous. Assassin’s Creed games are still trying to live up to the stupendous graphical capabilities that the team managed to pull off with this rendition of Paris. Complete with perhaps the best parkour that the series has seen, and Unity is one of the more underrated games in this franchise.
13 - Assassin's Creed Syndicate (1868)
Click to enlarge- Release date: October 23, 2015
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Assassin's Creed Syndicate is by far the most modern game in the series, and it shows. Set in Victorian London, we see a version of London that’s not too far away from our own, just with fewer skyscrapers and a distinct lack of electricity.
Sadly, you’ll likely find that this is one of the more generic Assassin’s Creed games out there. While dual protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye are a delight to catch up with, gameplay variation is few and far between. Combine that with a map that has a harsh case of overpopulated icons, and exploring London isn’t too much fun, either.
But now you know all the Assassin's Creed games in chronological order, from Odyssey all the way to Syndicate!
14 - Assassin's Creed Nexus (different timelines)
Click to enlarge- Release date: November 16, 2023
- Platforms: Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, Meta Quest 3
Assassin's Creed Nexus is the most recent outing for the series, and was, more so than other titles, a bit of a leap of faith. Nexus marked the first time you can play the series in VR. For this reason, it is a very different kind of experience, focusing on three protagonists we have already seen in the series.
During your time in Nexus, you will play as Ezio, Connor and Kassandra with Connor being the most modern Assassin. Some sections are set during the present day in this game as well - these parts are in 2023.
What is the best order to play Assassin’s Creed?
Click to enlargeWhile it might be an enjoyable exercise to play Assassin’s Creed in chronological order, we still think that the best order to play is in release order. This is mostly because the present-day narrative that ties the whole series together doesn’t really make sense if you play the games out of sequence.
What’s more, the development of Assassin’s Creed now spans over 15 years. As such, some titles are vastly more modern than others, and playing in chronological order means that you’ll be jumping back and forward between new and old game mechanics.
Playing Assassin’s Creed in chronological order might be a fun time if you’re looking for some variety and a unique experience. However, playing the games in release order might result in a more palatable time for budding Assassin’s Creed fans.
Assassin's Creed games in release date order
Here are all of the Assassin's Creed games in release order:
- Assassin’s Creed (2007)
- Assassin’s Creed II (2009)
- Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010)
- Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011)
- Assassin’s Creed III (2012)
- Assassin's Creed III: Liberation (2012)
- Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013)
- Assassin's Creed 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: Nexus (2023)
- Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla (2020)
- Assassin's Creed: Mirage (2023)
That's everything you need to know about all of the games in the Assassin's Creed franchise, whether it's when they were released or what time period they take place in!
For more Assassin’s Creed guides, keep reading GGRecon. Or check out the full list of achievements in Assassin's Creed Mirage and the settings we would love to see the games tackle next.
