What Order to Play Assassin's Creed Games: A Journey Through Time and Chaos

blog 2025-01-25 0Browse 0
What Order to Play Assassin's Creed Games: A Journey Through Time and Chaos

The Assassin’s Creed series, developed by Ubisoft, is a sprawling franchise that spans centuries, continents, and even dimensions. With over a dozen mainline games and numerous spin-offs, deciding the best order to play them can be as complex as the conspiracy-laden plots themselves. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned player looking to revisit the series, this guide will help you navigate the labyrinthine world of Assassin’s Creed.

1. Release Order: The Classic Approach

Playing the games in the order they were released is the most straightforward method. This allows you to experience the evolution of the series, from its humble beginnings to its current state of cinematic grandeur.

  • Assassin’s Creed (2007): Start with the original game, where you play as Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad during the Third Crusade. This game sets the foundation for the entire series.
  • Assassin’s Creed II (2009): Follow Ezio Auditore da Firenze in Renaissance Italy. This game is often considered the best in the series.
  • Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010): Continue Ezio’s story as he builds the Brotherhood in Rome.
  • Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011): Conclude Ezio’s journey and learn more about Altaïr.
  • Assassin’s Creed III (2012): Shift to the American Revolution with Connor Kenway.
  • Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013): Sail the Caribbean as Edward Kenway, a pirate turned Assassin.
  • Assassin’s Creed Rogue (2014): Play as Shay Cormac, a Templar, and see the other side of the conflict.
  • Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014): Experience the French Revolution with Arno Dorian.
  • Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015): Explore Victorian London with the Frye twins.
  • Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017): Travel to ancient Egypt with Bayek, the founder of the Assassin Brotherhood.
  • Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018): Dive into the Peloponnesian War as Alexios or Kassandra.
  • Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020): Raid England as Eivor, a Viking warrior.

2. Chronological Order: A Historical Timeline

For those who prefer a more historical approach, playing the games in chronological order based on their in-universe timelines can provide a unique perspective.

  • Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (431–404 BCE): Set during the Peloponnesian War, this game is the earliest in the timeline.
  • Assassin’s Creed Origins (49–43 BCE): Explore the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood in ancient Egypt.
  • Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (873–878 CE): Experience the Viking invasion of England.
  • Assassin’s Creed (1191 CE): Altaïr’s story during the Third Crusade.
  • Assassin’s Creed II (1476–1499 CE): Follow Ezio’s rise in Renaissance Italy.
  • Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (1499–1507 CE): Continue Ezio’s journey in Rome.
  • Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (1511–1512 CE): Conclude Ezio’s story and learn more about Altaïr.
  • Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (1715–1722 CE): Sail the Caribbean as Edward Kenway.
  • Assassin’s Creed Rogue (1752–1760 CE): Play as Shay Cormac during the Seven Years’ War.
  • Assassin’s Creed III (1754–1783 CE): Experience the American Revolution with Connor Kenway.
  • Assassin’s Creed Unity (1789–1794 CE): Explore the French Revolution with Arno Dorian.
  • Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (1868 CE): Navigate Victorian London with the Frye twins.

3. Thematic Order: A Focus on Story Arcs

If you’re more interested in the overarching narrative, consider playing the games based on their thematic connections.

  • The Desmond Saga: Start with Assassin’s Creed, Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, Revelations, and Assassin’s Creed III. These games follow Desmond Miles, a modern-day Assassin, as he relives the memories of his ancestors.
  • The Kenway Saga: Play Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Rogue, and Assassin’s Creed III. These games focus on the Kenway family and their impact on the Assassin-Templar conflict.
  • The Ancient Trilogy: Begin with Assassin’s Creed Origins, followed by Odyssey and Valhalla. These games explore the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood and the Isu, the ancient civilization that predates humanity.

4. Gameplay Evolution: From Stealth to Open World

For players interested in the evolution of gameplay mechanics, consider the following order:

  • Classic Stealth: Start with Assassin’s Creed, Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations. These games emphasize stealth, parkour, and assassination.
  • Naval Combat: Play Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Rogue to experience the series’ naval combat mechanics.
  • Open-World Exploration: Dive into Assassin’s Creed Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, which feature vast open worlds, RPG elements, and a greater emphasis on exploration.

5. Spin-Offs and Side Stories: Expanding the Universe

Don’t forget the spin-offs and side stories that add depth to the Assassin’s Creed universe.

  • Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: A series of 2.5D side-scrolling games set in China, India, and Russia.
  • Assassin’s Creed Liberation: Originally released for the PlayStation Vita, this game follows Aveline de Grandpré in 18th-century New Orleans.
  • Assassin’s Creed Identity: A mobile game that allows you to create your own Assassin and explore Renaissance Italy.

6. Modern-Day Storyline: The Hidden Layer

The modern-day storyline is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of the series. If you’re interested in this narrative, consider the following order:

  • Assassin’s Creed: Introduces Desmond Miles and the modern-day conflict between Assassins and Templars.
  • Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, Revelations: Continue Desmond’s story as he uncovers the secrets of the First Civilization.
  • Assassin’s Creed III: Concludes Desmond’s arc.
  • Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Rogue, Unity, Syndicate: These games feature a more subdued modern-day storyline, focusing on Abstergo Industries and the Animus.
  • Assassin’s Creed Origins, Odyssey, Valhalla: Reintroduce a more prominent modern-day narrative with new characters like Layla Hassan.

7. Personal Preference: The Ultimate Decider

Ultimately, the best order to play Assassin’s Creed games depends on your personal preferences. Whether you prioritize historical accuracy, narrative coherence, or gameplay evolution, there’s no wrong way to experience this rich and diverse series.

Q: Can I skip the first Assassin’s Creed game? A: While the first game sets the foundation for the series, its gameplay can feel dated. If you’re short on time, you can start with Assassin’s Creed II, which is more polished and introduces the beloved character Ezio Auditore.

Q: Are the modern-day storylines important? A: The modern-day storylines add depth to the series, but they’re not essential for enjoying the historical settings. If you’re more interested in the historical aspects, you can focus on those.

Q: Which game has the best open-world experience? A: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Valhalla are often praised for their vast open worlds and RPG elements. If you enjoy exploration and side quests, these games are a must-play.

Q: Is it necessary to play the spin-offs? A: The spin-offs are not essential but can provide additional context and enjoyment. If you’re a completionist or a fan of the series, they’re worth checking out.

Q: What’s the best game for newcomers? A: Assassin’s Creed II is often recommended for newcomers due to its engaging story, memorable characters, and refined gameplay. It’s a great entry point into the series.

TAGS