A complete chronological guide to every Assassin’s Creed mainline game with strategic playthrough tips and franchise insights
How many mainline games are there?
Since its debut in 2007, the Assassin’s Creed franchise has grown into one of gaming’s most expansive historical fiction series. Ubisoft has developed 14 core mainline titles that form the backbone of the Assassin-Templar conflict narrative. This count represents the flagship console and PC releases, excluding mobile spin-offs, handheld titles, and multimedia expansions.
The series has undergone significant evolution across three distinct eras. The initial five games focused on Desmond Miles’ genetic exploration through the Animus, establishing core lore about the First Civilization and the Apple of Eden. Following this, the franchise pivoted with Assassin’s Creed Origins in 2017, introducing massive open-world RPG elements that defined the next trilogy. Most recently, Assassin’s Creed Mirage signaled a return to more focused, stealth-oriented gameplay that characterized earlier entries.
For newcomers, understanding this structural shift is crucial. The earlier games (2007-2015) feature more linear storytelling with mission-based progression, while titles from Origins onward offer sprawling landscapes with leveling systems, skill trees, and gear customization. This RPG transition dramatically increased playtime—where earlier games might take 20-30 hours to complete, Odyssey and Valhalla can easily consume 60-100 hours for main stories alone.
Practical Tip: If you’re short on time, focus on the “Ezio Trilogy” (Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, Revelations) for the most celebrated narrative arc, or the “RPG Trilogy” (Origins, Odyssey, Valhalla) for the most modern gameplay systems. Each represents the franchise at its peak during different developmental phases.
All mainline games in chronological order
Exploring the Assassin’s Creed universe in chronological order reveals the hidden connections between seemingly standalone stories. This approach illuminates how the Isu (First Civilization) artifacts and the eternal Assassin-Templar war evolve across centuries. Below is the complete timeline of historical settings.
Origins serves as the chronological starting point, depicting the foundation of the Hidden Ones—the precursor to the Assassin Brotherhood. Playing as Bayek of Siwa, you witness the creation of the Brotherhood’s core tenets against the Order of the Ancients (early Templars). Common Mistake: Many players rush through the main quests, but exploring the vibrant recreation of ancient Egypt—complete with pyramids, deserts, and Nile river systems—significantly enhances the narrative weight of Bayek’s personal tragedy transforming into a organizational creed.
Odyssey transports players to Ancient Greece 400 years before Origins, focusing on the Eagle Bearer—a mercenary with Isu lineage. This prequel explores how Pieces of Eden influenced classical history. Optimization Tip: Choose Kassandra as your protagonist; the game’s novel “Odyssey” confirms her as the canonical Eagle Bearer, and her performance receives widespread acclaim. The game’s naval combat system previews mechanics that would be refined in later titles.
Assassin’s Creed introduces Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad during the Crusades, establishing the series’ core DNA. While mechanically dated compared to later entries, its story of redemption and the revelation of the Apple of Eden remains essential. Practical Strategy: Modern players should consider watching the “Assassin’s Creed: Lineage” short films to better appreciate the political context of the Third Crusade before playing.
Assassin’s Creed II follows Ezio Auditore’s transformation from nobleman to master assassin across Renaissance Italy. This game perfected the parkour and social stealth systems. Historical Insight: The game’s portrayal of Leonardo da Vinci as your gadget creator adds authentic period flavor—many of his “inventions” in the game are based on his actual sketches.
Brotherhood continues Ezio’s story in Rome, introducing the innovative Brotherhood recruitment system. Gameplay Tip: Invest early in training your assassin recruits; fully upgraded, they can execute instant-kill commands during difficult combat encounters, significantly easing late-game challenges.
Revelations concludes both Ezio’s journey and Altaïr’s story through parallel narratives. Common Pitfall: Many players find the tower defense mini-game frustrating; you can largely avoid it by maintaining notoriety levels and completing Den Defense missions as they appear rather than letting them accumulate.
Black Flag features Edward Kenway’s pirate adventures in the Caribbean. Optimization Advice: Focus on upgrading your ship, the Jackdaw, early—superior naval capabilities are essential for accessing certain story missions and surviving the dangerous legendary ship battles.
Rogue offers the unique perspective of Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar. Playing this before Unity enhances narrative continuity as Rogue’s ending directly triggers Unity’s opening events.
Assassin’s Creed III follows Connor Kenway during the American Revolution. Historical Context: The game’s portrayal of historical figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin is deliberately ambiguous, reflecting the series’ theme that both Assassins and Templars have manipulated major historical events.
Unity features Arno Dorian in revolutionary Paris. Despite its troubled launch, the game offers the series’ best parkour mechanics and most detailed urban environment. Technical Tip: Play the Dead Kings DLC—it’s now free for all owners and provides a more polished experience than the base game while continuing Arno’s story.
Syndicate follows twins Jacob and Evie Frye in industrial London. Gameplay Strategy: Balance playing between both protagonists—Jacob’s missions focus on combat and gang warfare, while Evie’s emphasize stealth and Isu artifact hunting, providing complementary playstyles.
Valhalla explores Eivor’s Viking saga in England. Time Management Tip: The game is massive; focus on the main story arcs in each region rather than attempting to clear every icon on the map immediately. Many side activities are better experienced after completing the main narrative.
Mirage returns to classic stealth gameplay with Basim Ibn Ishaq in Baghdad. Optimization: Utilize the extensive tool wheel—smoke bombs, noisemakers, and traps make stealth approaches more viable than direct combat against tougher enemies.
Shadows introduces dual protagonists Naoe (ninja) and Yasuke (samurai) in feudal Japan. Strategic Approach: Early reports suggest switching between characters based on mission requirements—use Naoe for infiltration and assassination missions, Yasuke for open combat and fortress assaults.
New and upcoming Assassin’s Creed games
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise continues to expand beyond the core historical action-adventure formula into new genres and platforms. Following Shadows’ 2025 release, several projects are in development that will diversify how players experience the centuries-long conflict between Assassins and Templars.
The mobile title Assassin’s Creed Jade represents the series’ first full open-world experience on mobile devices, set in 215 BCE China during the Qin dynasty. This game introduces unprecedented character customization for the franchise, allowing players to create their own assassin from scratch. Platform Consideration: While designed for mobile, Jade will likely offer controller support for those preferring traditional controls over touchscreen interfaces.
Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe is rumored to explore the witch trials of 16th-century Central Europe, potentially introducing supernatural horror elements to the series. Industry analysts suggest this title may feature a more narrative-focused, less open-world structure compared to recent RPG entries. Development Insight: Hexe is being led by Clint Hocking, creative director of Far Cry 2 and Watch Dogs: Legion, suggesting innovative systemic gameplay possibilities.
Assassin’s Creed Invictus represents Ubisoft’s return to dedicated multiplayer experiences, building upon the cooperative and competitive elements seen in Unity and Black Flag. Community Strategy: Given the franchise’s inconsistent multiplayer history, Invictus will likely focus on accessible, objective-based modes rather than hardcore competitive play to attract the broader Assassin’s Creed audience.
Beyond these announced projects, Ubisoft has confirmed the Assassin’s Creed Infinity hub—a live-service platform that will connect future games and provide ongoing narrative content. Franchise Direction: This approach suggests Ubisoft is moving toward a more interconnected universe where player choices and progress might carry between titles, similar to other successful live-service franchises.
Strategic playthrough guide
Navigating 14+ mainline games requires strategic planning to maximize enjoyment and comprehension. Different playthrough approaches suit different player types, from lore enthusiasts to casual fans.
For Narrative Purists: Play in release order to experience the franchise’s evolution as developers intended. This approach preserves dramatic reveals about the modern-day storyline and shows how gameplay mechanics developed organically. Start with the original Assassin’s Creed, then proceed sequentially through the numbered titles. Time Commitment: This requires approximately 400-500 hours for completionist runs of all main games.
For Historical Chronologists: Follow the timeline presented in this guide, beginning with Odyssey (though set before Origins, it assumes gameplay knowledge from the RPG trilogy). This method highlights how historical events connect across centuries but disrupts the modern-day narrative flow. Compensation Strategy: Watch recap videos of the modern-day segments if playing chronologically to maintain that storyline’s continuity.
For Time-Constrained Players: Focus on the essential “trilogies”—the Ezio Collection (II, Brotherhood, Revelations) for classic Assassin’s Creed, and the RPG trilogy (Origins, Odyssey, Valhalla) for modern gameplay. Supplement with Black Flag for the best pirate experience and Mirage for a return to classic stealth. This covers the franchise’s highest-rated entries while skipping more divisive titles.
Platform Optimization: Most older titles have received remasters for modern consoles. The Assassin’s Creed Ezio Collection, Rebel Collection (Black Flag, Rogue), and Odyssey/Origins/Valhalla on current-gen systems offer the best performance with improved textures, frame rates, and load times compared to their original releases.
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