Ubisoft’s bread and butter is undoubtedly theAssassin’s Creedfranchise, first hitting the scene in 2007 on PS3 and Xbox 360 and being an industry mainstay ever since. With new installments releasing almost annually, this time-jumping action-adventure series has transported players to several pivotal historical periods. After a few years off, the franchise looks set to bring itself back into the spotlight withAssassin’s Creed Miragedue out for releasethis Fall.
Naturally, for a franchise that has been going on for this long, new players wanting to get into theAssassin’s Creedseries may be a little overwhelmed and confused about the best place to begin. These games have spanned several centuries with an overarching narrative that dates back to the days of Ancient Egypt, all the way to the Second Industrial Revolution inAssassin’s Creed Syndicate. New players can follow the mainline games in chronological order before playingAssassin’s Creed Mirage.
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Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Kicking things off isAssassin’s Creed Odyssey, chronologically set 400 years earlier than any other mainline entry. Taking place in Ancient Greece, players can choose to play as either Alexios or Cassandra in an absolutely gigantic open world RPG. Players will meet many famous figures from that time such as Socrates and Plato and take onbeasts from Greek Myths such as Cyclopsand Medusa. Although it takes place long before the formation of the Assassin and Templar orders, there are still key franchise plot elements here such as the discovery of a Piece of Eden.
Assassin’s Creed Origins
Set in Ancient Egypt,Assassin’s Creed Originsfollows Bayek, a warrior who goes on a lengthy quest of vengeance against those who wronged him after his son is murdered. This game introduced more RPG and open world mechanics to theAssassin’s Creedseries. Plot wise, it also sets up a proto-Templar organization called the Order of the Ancients, and by the end of the story, Bayek serves as a founding member of what would ultimately become the league of Assassins, also referred to asthe Hidden Ones.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Assassin’s Creed Miragestars a young street thief namedBasim Ibn Ishaqwho goes on to play a key role inAssassin’s Creed Valhalla. Although not available as of now, Ubisoft has hinted at the plot, stating that it will follow Basim as he attempts to escape Baghdad to locate the Hidden Ones, the organization founded by Bayek inAssassin’s Creed Origins. It has also been confirmed that the modern day sequence will take a backseat in this entry, allowing players to play in the past as much as they desire.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Building upon the RPG elements setup inOriginsandOdyssey,Valhallais easily the series' largest game, clocking in at some 60 hours total for the main campaign alone. This time taking place in Norse history and mythology, players can choose for the first time whether to play as a male or female character,both named Eivor. It continues the plot points setup in past games, expanding on the struggle between the Hidden Ones and Order of the Ancients, all while seemingly wrapping up the modern day storyline about Layla Hassan that began inOriginsand continued inOdyssey.
Assassin’s Creed
Set 300 years afterValhalla, the original game introduced players to Altair Ibn-La’Ahad and many conventions of the franchise that would cement its success as one of the most interesting action adventure series on the market.Assassin’s Creedset up thestoryline about the Pieces of Eden, and really dove into the conflict between the Assassin’s and Templars. Furthermore, in a spellbinding plot twist at the time, the concept of the Animus was introduced, revealing that players controlled these characters via a technologically advanced machine in the present day.
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Assassin’s Creed - Ezio Trilogy
Spanning across three games,that beingAssassin’s Creed 2,BrotherhoodandRevelations, the trilogy revolving aroundEzio Auditore da Firenzeis a pivotal piece of this overarching puzzle. Often cited as the highest point of the series by many fans, Ezio is a charming and determined protagonist, on a hunt for revenge after the death of his brother and father. However, his quest soon uncovers an even deeper, darker conspiracy that puts him at the center of the raging battle between the Assassins and Templars.
Assassin’s Creed - The Americas Trilogy
Flashing forward two centuries afterAssassin’s Creed Revelations, the next trilogy of games takes place in the 1700s and stars three unique protagonists. InAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, players control Edward Kenway and take to the high seas. Kenway accidentally kills an Assassin in the opening moments, placing him as the latest individual dragged intothe Assassin and Templar struggleas he tries to find a secret First Civilization site known only as The Observatory. This continues inAssassin’s Creed Rogue, starring Shay Patrick Cormac, an Irish-American Assassin turned Templar hunting down a Piece of Eden. It then concludes inAssassin’s Creed 3, with Ratonhnhake “Connor” Kenway (grandson of Edward Kenway) trying to protect the First Civilization’s Grand Temple from the Templars.
Assassin’s Creed Unity
Primarily set during the peak of the French Revolution from 1789 to 1794, this time players step into the shoes of Arno Dorian, who like many past protagonists, is on a quest for vengeance. As with many other past installments, numerous real life historical figures make an appearance such as Marquis de Sade, and King Louis XVI. Theparkour mechanics inAssassin’s Creedare often considered to be at their absolute best in this installment, with graceful acrobatics and death defying leaps on full display in a dazzling recreation of France during this time period.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Finally, this brings the series toAssassin’s Creed Syndicate, set during the Second Industrial Revolution in London during the late 1800s. It stars dual protagonists in brother and sister Jacob and Evie Frye as they attempt to clean London of Templar influence, all while trying to track down a legendary Piece of Eden. The game took advantage of its setting and provided players with a bevy of fun gadgets such as a grappling hook similar to the one used byBatman in Rocksteady’sArkhamseries.
Assassin’s Creed Mirageis set to release on June 20, 2025, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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