So you want to dive into Assassin's Creed but don't know where to start? I totally get it. When I first tried jumping into the series with Black Flag, I had no clue what was happening with those modern-day Animus sequences. Felt like I'd walked into a movie halfway through. That's why getting the Assassin's Creed in order thing right matters more than you might think.
Here's the messy truth: There are three ways to approach the Assassin's Creed order - release order, historical timeline order, or narrative complexity order. Each has pros and cons, and I've banged my head against all of them trying to figure out the best path. Let me save you some frustration.
Quick Tip: If you care about the overarching modern-day story (that sci-fi stuff with Abstergo and the Isu), release order is non-negotiable. The historical stories mostly stand alone, but the meta-narrative builds incrementally.
The Definitive Release Order Playthrough
Playing in release order is how most veterans experienced the series. You grow with the mechanics - from simple counter-kills in AC1 to the RPG madness of Valhalla. The modern-day storyline with Desmond Miles actually makes sense this way. Trust me, trying to understand the Isu artifacts without this foundation is like trying to read Ulysses without knowing the alphabet.
| Release Year | Game Title | Key Features | Modern Day Protagonist | Play Time* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Assassin's Creed | Foundation of parkour/social stealth | Desmond Miles | 15 hours |
| 2009 | Assassin's Creed II | Improved combat, economic system | Desmond Miles | 20 hours |
| 2010 | Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood | Brotherhood system, Rome setting | Desmond Miles | 15 hours |
| 2011 | Assassin's Creed: Revelations | Hookblade, bomb crafting | Desmond Miles | 15 hours |
| 2012 | Assassin's Creed III | Tree parkour, naval combat intro | Desmond Miles | 25 hours |
| 2013 | Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag | Full naval combat, Caribbean open world | Abstergo Employee | 30 hours |
| 2014 | Assassin's Creed Rogue | Templar perspective, North Atlantic | Abstergo Analyst | 15 hours |
| 2015 | Assassin's Creed Unity | Co-op missions, Paris crowds | Helix Player | 25 hours |
*Main story completion time. Double for completionists.
The Desmond saga (games 1-3) forms the backbone of the modern narrative. After that? Things get messy. Black Flag was amazing but completely divorced from the prior storyline. Unity's modern day felt like an afterthought - just some cutscenes explaining why you're in Paris.
I'll be honest: Trying to marathon these in release order can be rough. AC1's repetitive missions haven't aged well. Brotherhood feels like DLC for AC2. And don't get me started on Revelations' tower defense minigame - what were they thinking?
The RPG Era Shift
Everything changed with Origins. Suddenly we had level-gating, loot systems, and massive maps. Here's where release order really diverges:
| Release Year | Game Title | Setting | Notable Changes | Modern Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Assassin's Creed Origins | Ptolemaic Egypt | RPG mechanics introduced | Layla Hassan |
| 2018 | Assassin's Creed Odyssey | Ancient Greece | Dialogue choices, romance options | Layla Hassan |
| 2020 | Assassin's Creed Valhalla | Viking Age England | Settlement building | Layla Hassan |
| 2023 | Assassin's Creed Mirage | 9th Century Baghdad | Return to stealth focus | ??? |
Odyssey was my personal favorite of the new breed, though I know hardcore fans who hated the superpower abilities. That Cyclops fight? Pure fantasy. Still, sailing the Aegean at sunset while your crew sings... chef's kiss.
Historical Timeline Order Approach
If you couldn't care less about the modern-day Animus nonsense and just want chronological historical tourism, this path might satisfy you. But be warned - jumping between engines and mechanics constantly feels jarring. Going from Valhalla's crisp combat to Unity's janky controls gave me whiplash.
| Historical Period | Game | Year Range | Play Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Egypt | Assassin's Creed Origins | 49-43 BCE | 30+ hours | Founding of the Hidden Ones |
| Ancient Greece | Assassin's Creed Odyssey | 431-422 BCE | 45+ hours | Pre-Assassin Brotherhood |
| Viking Expansion | Assassin's Creed Valhalla | 873-878 CE | 60+ hours | Early English Brotherhood |
| Third Crusade | Assassin's Creed | 1191 CE | 15 hours | Original Brotherhood |
| Italian Renaissance | Assassin's Creed II | 1476-1499 CE | 20 hours | Ezio's origin story |
The biggest problem with historical order? Odyssey technically happens before Origins but came out later. Kassandra's story references proto-Templars that won't make sense until you play later entries. It's like watching Star Wars in timeline order only to realize Episode I expects you to already know what Jedi are.
Essential Tip: If choosing historical order, at least play the "Ancient Trilogy" (Origins → Odyssey → Valhalla) sequentially. Their modern-day narrative connects Layla Hassan's story across all three.
Where Spin-Offs Fit In
Casual fans forget these exist, but they matter for completionists. Liberation started as a Vita exclusive - I suffered through those touchscreen minigames so you don't have to:
- Assassin's Creed Chronicles (China/Russia/India): 2.5D side-scrollers (2015-2016)
- Assassin's Creed Freedom Cry: Standalone Adéwale DLC (2013)
- Assassin's Creed Identity: Mobile RPG (2016)
- Assassin's Creed Rebellion: Mobile strategy (2018)
Most aren't essential, but Freedom Cry actually adds meaningful context to the Caribbean Brotherhood lore from Black Flag.
The Narrative Complexity Approach
Here's what I wish someone told me when I started: you don't need to play every single game to understand the Assassin's Creed in order. Some entries are skippable without losing the thread. After replaying the whole series last year, here's my efficiency-focused path:
Core Narrative Path:
- Assassin's Creed II (Establishes Templar/Assassin conflict)
- Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (Ezio's peak)
- Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (Best pirate game ever made)
- Assassin's Creed Origins (Soft reboot with Layla's story)
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla (Modern day payoff)
Optional But Recommended:
- Assassin's Creed Revelations (Ezio's finale)
- Assassin's Creed Rogue (Templar perspective)
- Assassin's Creed Syndicate (Victorian London charm)
Skippable Unless Obsessed:
- Assassin's Creed (Too dated)
- Assassin's Creed III (Pacing issues)
- Assassin's Creed Unity (Still buggy despite patches)
I know, skipping AC1 feels sacrilegious. But forcing yourself through its repetitive investigations might kill your enthusiasm. Watch the cutscenes on YouTube instead.
Modern Day Story Timeline
For those who actually care about the sci-fi meta-narrative (we exist!), here's the essential path:
| Phase | Games | Key Developments | Play Order Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Desmond Saga | AC1 through AC3 | First Civilization discovery | Essential |
| The Abstergo Era | Black Flag, Rogue | Commercialization of the Animus | Important |
| The Phoenix Project | Unity, Syndicate | Sage storyline continuation | Optional |
| The Layla Trilogy | Origins, Odyssey, Valhalla | Isu consciousness transfer | Essential |
Valhalla's modern day actually resolves plot threads from Desmond's era. When I saw that twist in 2021, it retroactively made Brotherhood's glyph puzzles worthwhile. Who'd have thought?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I start with the newest Assassin's Creed game?
A: Yes and no. Mirage (2023) is designed as an entry point with simpler mechanics. But Valhalla spoils major modern day reveals from earlier games. If you care about story, start earlier.
Q: What's the shortest path to understanding the Assassin's Creed in order lore?
A: Play AC II → Brotherhood → Black Flag → Origins → Valhalla. Watch plot summaries for AC1, AC3, and Odyssey. Total time: ~100 hours instead of 300+.
Q: Which games have mandatory multiplayer trophies?
A: Brotherhood, Revelations, AC3, and Unity. Servers are still up but finding matches takes patience. I spent three hours queueing for Unity co-op last month - not fun.
Q: Does playing Assassin's Creed Odyssey before Origins ruin anything?
A: Surprisingly, no. Odyssey's modern day happens after Origins chronologically. Though Origins explains the Isu lore better, playing Odyssey first won't break anything.
Q: Are the Ezio Collection remasters worth buying?
A: Absolutely. The 60fps upgrade makes parkour feel modern. Just know the character models still show their age - Ezio's face looks weirdly plastic sometimes.
Essential DLC Checklist
Not all expansions are created equal. After wasting money on Dead Kings (Unity) and The Tyranny of King Washington (AC3), here's what's actually worthwhile:
| Game | Must-Play DLC | Hours Added | Price* | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin's Creed II | Sequence 12-13 | 2 hours | Free | Explains the Apple's fate |
| Assassin's Creed Odyssey | Legacy of the First Blade | 10 hours | $24.99 | Connects to Origins lore |
| Assassin's Creed Valhalla | Dawn of Ragnarök | 15 hours | $39.99 | Isu mythology payoff |
| Assassin's Creed Origins | The Curse of the Pharaohs | 8 hours | $19.99 | Best afterlife exploration |
*Current standard pricing. Wait for sales - Ubisoft discounts frequently.
I'm still bitter about Valhalla's Siege of Paris DLC. Promised revolutionary stealth, delivered recycled monastery raids. Skip unless you're completionist.
Platform-Specific Considerations
Where you play matters more than you'd think. The PS3/Xbox 360 versions of early games run at 30fps with screen tearing. PC ports are hit-or-miss:
- AC Unity: Still crashes on some AMD cards
- AC Rogue Remastered: Best on PS4/Xbox One (60fps)
- AC Syndicate: Delisted on PC due to music licenses
The Ezio Collection on Switch is surprisingly competent despite the hardware. Just expect 720p resolution and occasional frame drops in crowded areas. And whatever you do, don't attempt AC3's naval missions on Switch - the controls are torture.
Pro Tip: Ubisoft+ subscription ($18/month) gives access to all mainline games. Perfect for marathon runs. Finish the Desmond saga in a month for less than buying AC1 remastered alone.
My Personal Journey Through the Series
I started completely wrong. My first AC game was Unity in 2015 - attracted by the Paris setting. Didn't understand why my character was reliving some dead guy's memories. Skipped around until Odyssey pulled me in with its Greek islands. Then I went back to fill gaps.
Biggest surprise? How much AC1's writing holds up. Altaïr's growth from arrogant killer to wise mentor still resonates. Biggest disappointment? AC3's ending felt rushed after five games of buildup. And don't get me started on the modern-day cliffhanger in Valhalla...
What I wish I knew: The Kenway Saga (AC4, Rogue, AC3) tells one interconnected family story. Play them together even if release order splits them up. Edward Kenway remains my favorite protagonist - a selfish pirate who grows into a reluctant hero.
The Future of Assassin's Creed Order
With Codename Red (feudal Japan) and Hexe (witch trials) coming, the timeline keeps expanding. Ubisoft claims the Infinity hub will help organize future games. We'll see. After Valhalla's 150-hour slog, I hope they return to tighter narratives.
One thing's certain: however you approach the Assassin's Creed in order journey, take breaks between games. I didn't, and now Renaissance architecture makes me nauseous. Moderation is key, even with historical murder tourism.