How To Play Every Assassin’s Creed Game In Chronological Order

Even though it jumps all over history there is a chronological order the Assassin’s Creed games can be played in. Even better, playing through Assassin’s Creed in historical order doesn’t really mean players will miss out on any of the overall story. From Ancient Greece to the Industrial Revolution, there are so many settings in the series that it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start.

Each Assassin’s Creed game tells a different story, and can be compared to a series of interconnected short stories, each with its own characters and events being tied together by certain details. There is a modern-day plot, which connects the dots between each Assassin and parallel present-day protagonists, and there is the centuries-old war between the Hidden Ones (Assassins) and the Templar Order. These two groups clash over and over again throughout history over ownership of “Pieces of Eden” created by the ancient Isu race.

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Odyssey Is First Assassin’s Creed Game In Order

The first game on the Assassin’s Creed timeline is Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Set in Ancient Greece, Odyssey is a key game to play in understanding the background and lore of the Assassin’s Creed universe. The canonical protagonist of the game is Kassandra, a complex and interesting character who may actually return in future Assassin’s Creed games. While not considered a “traditional” Assassin’s Creed, Odyssey shows the creation of the Cult of Cosmos, which later on becomes the Templar Order.

Kassandra is likely to become an influential character in the series, with her most recent appearance being in DLC for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. One of the most powerful assassins ever to join the Order, Kassandra fights with multiple pieces of Eden: Leonidas’ spear and the Staff of Hermes. She is also one of the first female assassins in Assassin’s Creed history.

Assassin’s Creed Origins & Valhalla: 2 & 3 On The Timeline

Assassin’s Creed Origins is set in Ancient Egypt and showcases the creation of the Hidden Ones, which later become the Assassins. Featuring the vengeful Bayek of Siwa, Origins was the first game in the series to delve into more RPG aspects of gameplay with a vast open world to explore full of specifically leveled enemies. The story follows Bayek’s quest to avenge the death of his son by assassinating every member of the Cult of Cosmos.

Assassin’s Creed Origins was made before Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, so there isn’t really any mention of Kassandra and her story just yet, despite the game taking place at an earlier point on the Assassin’s Creed timeline. This could be explored, however, in a future Assassin’s Creed crossover story.

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Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is the next game to play in chronological order and is the most recent installment of the franchise. Set in 872 AD after Ragnar Lothbrok’s discovery of England, the story features Eivor, a Viking warrior of the Raven clan searching for a better life. With Viking raids and brutal combat, the narrative puts an end to the newest setting in the Assassin’s Creed series, tying up the loose ends of Origins and Odyssey and focusing more on the Isu storyline.

Altair & Ezio’s Stories Are Next On The Assassin’s Creed Timeline

The original stories of the Assassin’s Creed, specifically Altair’s and Ezio’s, are arguably some of the best in the franchise. The first game of the series, Assassin’s Creed, is set in the Third Crusade and follows Altair Ibn La Ahad. Altair is an assassin who must stop the Templar Order from using the Apple of Eden, an ancient device used to control minds. The original Assassin’s Creed is fourth on Assassin’s Creed‘s timeline.

Ezio Auditore’s story is arguably what many fans consider to be peak Assassin’s Creed. His story spans three whole games: Assassin’s Creed 2, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, with each game set in a different area.

Assassin’s Creed 2 is set in Renaissance Italy, depicting the iconic assassin’s entry into the order of Assassins. Brotherhood showcases a more mature Ezio Auditore in Rome as he uncovers a Templar plot hatched by the Borgia family. Revelations depicts Ezio’s final adventure and is set in Constantinople, where he searches for the Apple of Eden and the knowledge of Altair. Revelations also delves more into Altair’s tragic story and adds more depth into his character, even allowing players to play as him in certain levels.

AC3 & Black Flag Are Next On Assassin’s Creed’s Timeline

The next game in chronological order is Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag. A fan-favorite installment, Black Flag is set during the Golden Age of Piracy and follows the story of Edward Kenway, legendary pirate and, eventually, assassin. The player meets iconic figures in this era such as Blackbeard and Anne Bonny, who help Edward along his journey.

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The story of Black Flag also features a Piece of Eden other than the Apple. This piece is more of a whole area, known as the Observatory, which allows the user to find the location of someone using a single droplet of their blood. Edward defeats the Templars and stops them from using the device, and eventually retires. He later has a son named Haytham Kenway.

Assassin’s Creed 3 continues the Kenway saga, featuring Edward’s son Haytham in the beginning. It is revealed that Haytham becomes a Templar and has a son, Ratonhnhaké:ton, who later takes on the name Connor Kenway. Connor becomes the main protagonist of this game, teaming up with famous historical figures during the American Revolution to defeat the Templar Order and his father.

It is also worth noting that both Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed 3 have DLC expansion stories, titled Liberation and Freedom Cry, which delve into the stories of important side characters such as Aveline and Adewale. They are worth checking out if a player wants to play through the entire Assassin’s Creed timeline and all of its branching storylines.

Where AC Rogue Is On Assassin’s Creed’s Timeline

Assassin’s Creed Rogue follows the story of Shay Patrick Cormac, a member of the American Assassins. It is set just before the time of Assassin’s Creed 3. After disputes over the disregard of human life, Shay defects from the Assassins and becomes a Templar enforcer, killing many assassins living during that era, including Adewale, Freedom Cry‘s protagonist. Shay defeats Achilles Davenport, who would later become Connor Kenway’s mentor. The Templar eventually heads to France, where he kills Charles Dorian, the father of Unity’s protagonist, Arno.

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Assassin’s Creed’s Timeline Ends With Unity & Syndicate (So Far)

Set during the French Revolution, Assassin’s Creed Unity features Arno Dorian, whose father was killed by the Templar mentioned above, Shay Patrick Cormac. Adopted by a Templar, Arno grows up and falls in love with Elise de la Serre, who is also a Templar. After the assassination of the man who adopted him, Arno is accused of the crime and eventually finds himself tied up with the Assassin Order of France. As the storming of the Bastille occurs, Arno discovers the truth of his father’s death and becomes an Assassin.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is the latest set game on Assassin’s Creed’s timeline and features the Industrial Revolution. A dual-protagonist story, the game allows the player to play as two twins, Evie and Jacob Frye. The two found the Rooks, a street gang in London, to help them defeat and uncover the big baddies of the Templar Order of London, who are looking for another piece of Eden known as the Shroud. Known for its innovative gameplay, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is a great installment in the series with some of the most likable protagonists.

Where Assassin’s Creed Mirage Is Set On Assassin’s Creed’s Timeline

The next release in the series, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, is set in Baghdad during the 9th-century, which means it will be before AC Valhalla on Assassin’s Creed‘s timeline. Ubisoft has touted the game as a return to form for Assassin’s Creed, and it will reportedly be a much smaller game than titles like Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla. It is currently scheduled for release sometime in 2023.

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