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 feel like navigating a labyrinth of historical intrigue and modern-day conspiracies. Whether you’re a seasoned assassin or a novice just dipping your toes into the Animus, this guide will help you chart a course through the series, while also exploring some unconventional perspectives on the order of play.

1. Release Order: The Classic Approach

The most straightforward way to experience the Assassin’s Creed series is to play the games in the order they were released. This approach allows you to witness the evolution of the series’ gameplay mechanics, graphics, and storytelling. Starting with the original Assassin’s Creed (2007), you’ll follow the journey of Desmond Miles as he relives the memories of his ancestors, beginning with Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad during the Third Crusade. From there, you’ll move on to Assassin’s Creed II (2009), where you’ll meet the charismatic Ezio Auditore da Firenze, whose story spans three games and is often considered the heart of the series.

Continuing in release order, you’ll explore the American Revolution in Assassin’s Creed III (2012), the Golden Age of Piracy in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013), and the French Revolution in Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014). The series then takes a leap into Victorian London with Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015), before venturing into ancient Egypt with Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017), ancient Greece with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018), and finally, the Viking Age with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020).

2. Chronological Order: A Historical Timeline

For those who prefer a more historically accurate experience, playing the games in chronological order based on their in-universe timelines can be a fascinating alternative. This approach allows you to witness the evolution of the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order across different eras.

You would start with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (431–422 BCE), set in ancient Greece, followed by Assassin’s Creed Origins (49–43 BCE), which explores the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood in ancient Egypt. Next, you’d jump to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (873–878 CE), set during the Viking Age, before moving on to the original Assassin’s Creed (1191 CE) and the Ezio trilogy (Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations), which take place during the Renaissance.

From there, you’d explore the Golden Age of Piracy with Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (1715–1722), the American Revolution with Assassin’s Creed III (1754–1783), the French Revolution with Assassin’s Creed Unity (1789–1794), and finally, Victorian London with Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (1868).

3. Thematic Order: A Focus on Story Arcs

Another approach is to group the games by their thematic connections or story arcs. For example, you could start with the Ezio trilogy (Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations), which offers a deep dive into the life of Ezio Auditore and the Renaissance era. After completing Ezio’s story, you could move on to the Kenway saga, which includes Assassin’s Creed III, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, and Assassin’s Creed Rogue. These games explore the interconnected lives of the Kenway family across different time periods and locations.

Alternatively, you could focus on the modern-day storyline by playing the games that feature Desmond Miles (Assassin’s Creed, Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, Revelations, and Assassin’s Creed III) before moving on to the games that follow new modern-day protagonists, such as Layla Hassan in Assassin’s Creed Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla.

4. Reverse Order: A Unique Perspective

For a truly unconventional experience, consider playing the games in reverse order. Start with the most recent entry, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and work your way backward through the series. This approach allows you to experience the series’ most refined gameplay mechanics and graphics first, before delving into the more rudimentary systems of the earlier games.

Playing in reverse order can also provide a unique perspective on the series’ overarching narrative. You’ll witness the modern-day storyline unfold in reverse, starting with Layla Hassan’s journey and ending with Desmond Miles’ initial foray into the Animus. This approach can be particularly rewarding for players who enjoy piecing together a story from its conclusion.

5. Random Order: Embrace the Chaos

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not play the games in a completely random order? This approach embraces the chaotic nature of the Assassin’s Creed universe, where time is fluid, and history is constantly being rewritten. By jumping between different eras and protagonists, you’ll experience the series in a way that mirrors the fragmented memories of the Animus.

Playing in random order can also highlight the series’ recurring themes and motifs, such as the eternal struggle between freedom and control, the nature of power, and the consequences of historical actions. It’s a bold approach that requires a willingness to embrace uncertainty, but it can lead to a truly unique and personal experience.

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

While the mainline games are the core of the Assassin’s Creed experience, the series also includes numerous spin-offs and side stories that expand the universe in fascinating ways. Games like Assassin’s Creed Chronicles (set in China, India, and Russia), Assassin’s Creed Liberation (featuring the first female protagonist, Aveline de Grandpré), and Assassin’s Creed Identity (a mobile RPG) offer unique perspectives and gameplay experiences.

Incorporating these spin-offs into your playthrough can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the Assassin’s Creed universe. You could play them alongside the mainline games, or save them for after you’ve completed the core series. Either way, they offer a chance to explore new characters, settings, and gameplay mechanics.

7. The Animus Glitch: A Meta Approach

Finally, for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the meta-narrative of the Assassin’s Creed series, consider playing the games as if you were experiencing an Animus glitch. This approach involves jumping between different games and time periods at random, simulating the disorienting experience of reliving fragmented memories.

To enhance this experience, you could create a playlist of missions or sequences from different games and play them in a non-linear order. This approach requires a deep familiarity with the series, but it can lead to a truly immersive and mind-bending experience that blurs the lines between reality and virtual memory.

Conclusion: The Choice is Yours

Ultimately, the best order to play the Assassin’s Creed games depends on your personal preferences and what you hope to get out of the experience. Whether you choose to follow the release order, explore the historical timeline, or embrace the chaos of a random playthrough, the series offers a rich and diverse world to explore.

As you embark on your journey through the Animus, remember that the Assassin’s Creed series is not just about reliving the past—it’s about understanding the present and shaping the future. So, choose your path wisely, and may the Creed guide your way.

Related Q&A

Q: Can I skip the modern-day storyline and just play the historical parts? A: While the modern-day storyline is an integral part of the Assassin’s Creed series, some players choose to focus solely on the historical narratives. However, skipping the modern-day segments may result in missing key plot points and the overarching narrative that ties the series together.

Q: Are the spin-off games necessary to understand the main storyline? A: The spin-off games are not essential to understanding the main storyline, but they do provide additional context and expand the Assassin’s Creed universe. They can be enjoyed as standalone experiences or as supplements to the main series.

Q: Which game is the best starting point for newcomers? A: Assassin’s Creed II is often recommended as the best starting point for newcomers due to its engaging story, well-developed protagonist, and refined gameplay mechanics. However, Assassin’s Creed Origins is also a popular choice for those looking for a more modern entry point with updated graphics and gameplay.

Q: How long does it take to complete the entire series? A: The time required to complete the entire Assassin’s Creed series varies depending on the order of play and the amount of side content you choose to engage with. On average, completing all mainline games can take anywhere from 200 to 300 hours, with additional time required for spin-offs and DLCs.

Q: Is it worth playing the older games if I started with the newer ones? A: Absolutely! The older games offer a different experience in terms of gameplay and storytelling, and they provide valuable context for the series’ evolution. Even if you started with the newer entries, playing the older games can enhance your appreciation for the franchise as a whole.