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If you want the Assassin’s Creed series’ central story to unfold in the order it was released, start with Assassin’s Creed (2007) and follow the principal games by release date. If you care more about a particular setting or style, you can start with a game that fits—just expect less context for some series-wide connections.
Release order or historical order?
There are two different ways to order Assassin’s Creed: by the year each game was released, or by the historical period in which its main story takes place. They are not the same. The games move between eras, while a separate modern-day storyline connects parts of the franchise.
Release order is the clearest path if you want to see the central narrative and gameplay develop as players first encountered them. Historical chronology is useful if you would rather move through the settings in time order, but it does not preserve the original sequence in which the series’ connections were introduced. Ubisoft’s release-order guide, published May 13, 2024, describes a franchise with more than 18 games; the principal entries below are a manageable route, not a checklist of every spin-off.
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The years below follow Ubisoft’s 2024 guide and cover the principal entries. The 2014 releases are listed together because both came out that year.
#1 Best Overall
- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE- Strike fear in your foes as you board and sink enemy vessels as Edward Kenway, captain of the Jackdaw. Whether blending into crowds or leading daring assaults, switch between silent takedowns and fierce brawls as you effortlessly wield swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade. With a cast of historical pirate legends at your side, defy empires amidst the age-old conflict opposing Assassins and Templars.
- A CLASSIC REBUILT FOR AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE- Combat has been rebuilt for more dynamic encounters, emphasizing parries and takedowns, while stealth and parkour have been improved for smoother escapes and assassinations. Continuously upgrade the Jackdaw to face powerful enemy ships with enhanced naval mechanics featuring new alternate fire modes. Quality-of-life additions also address previous pain points, ensuring your experience is improved.
- THE CARIBBEAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE- Whether you’re sailing the open seas or journeying across untamed lands, discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine. Take in sweeping vistas as you brave stormy waters, dive into underwater shipwrecks, or push through dense tropical jungles. Enhanced by features such as Dolby Atmos and ray tracing, every scene feels more immersive, bringing the world’s beauty to life.
- EXPANDING EDWARD’S ADVENTURE- Building on top of the original story, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced introduces exclusive new content. Familiar faces will return, with new storylines dedicated to fan-favorite characters such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Unexpected allies will also cross your path, as three officers join you on your journey as part of the main narrative. More surprises await, such as new sea shanties, pets, a photo mode, and more.
| Release year | Game | What it adds to the journey |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Assassin’s Creed | Introduces Desmond Miles and Altaïr during the Third Crusade. |
| 2009 | Assassin’s Creed II | Begins Ezio’s Renaissance-era story. |
| 2010 | Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood | Continues Ezio’s story. |
| 2011 | Assassin’s Creed: Revelations | Continues Ezio’s story and the early series arc. |
| 2012 | Assassin’s Creed III | Moves the principal series forward after the early Desmond-era games. |
| 2013 | Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag | Follows Edward Kenway in the Caribbean, with pirate themes and an upgradable ship. |
| 2014 | Assassin’s Creed Rogue | A principal entry released in 2014. |
| 2014 | Assassin’s Creed Unity | A principal entry released in 2014. |
| 2015 | Assassin’s Creed Syndicate | A principal entry released in 2015. |
| 2017 | Assassin’s Creed Origins | Introduces Bayek in ancient Egypt and shifts toward open-ended role-playing combat. |
| 2018 | Assassin’s Creed Odyssey | Takes place in ancient Greece and lets you choose Alexios or Kassandra. |
| 2020 | Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | Follows Eivor in ninth-century England. |
| 2023 | Assassin’s Creed Mirage | Follows Basim in ninth-century Baghdad, with an emphasis on stealth, gadgets, and investigation. |
This is a release-order route, not a ranking. It also does not include every spin-off or remake. Ubisoft’s guide is the source for the titles and years listed.
Choose a first game by the experience you want
You do not have to begin with the oldest game if a particular era or play style is what drew you to the series. Starting elsewhere can mean missing some narrative context, but it is a reasonable choice if you are approaching the games as separate historical adventures.
Rank #2
- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content includes the base game and Sekiryu Character Pack
- Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles.
- Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
- Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
| If you want… | Consider starting with… | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| The central series narrative from its beginning | Assassin’s Creed (2007) | Start with Altaïr and Desmond, then continue through the principal entries by release date. |
| Ancient Egypt and role-playing combat | Origins (2017) | Bayek’s story unfolds in an open-world setting; the game also features eagle scouting and expanded combat. |
| Ancient Greece and a protagonist choice | Odyssey (2018) | Choose between siblings Alexios and Kassandra. |
| A Viking-era adventure and settlement-building | Valhalla (2020) | Eivor’s story is set in ninth-century England. |
| Stealth, gadgets, and investigations | Mirage (2023) | It follows Basim’s earlier story in ninth-century Baghdad. Ubisoft connects Basim to Valhalla, so playing that first adds context; it is not required to choose Mirage as your starting point. |
| Pirates and naval exploration | Black Flag (2013) | Edward Kenway’s Caribbean story and upgradable ship distinguish it from the other choices. |
Where Black Flag Resynced fits
Ubisoft’s July 2026 article presents Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced as a ground-up remake. That establishes the remake’s existence, not whether a particular edition is currently available for your platform or in your region. Check the relevant storefront listing before buying, and confirm the platform and edition match what you own. The release-order path above refers to the original principal games; a remake does not change the original series’ release sequence.
Check platform and edition before buying
Which game suits you is only part of the decision. The available edition, platform support, regional listing, and current price depend on the specific product and storefront. The sources cited here do not establish current prices, stock, compatibility for your device, or subscription inclusion, so verify those details on the storefront where you plan to purchase.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Play through three of the greatest entries in the acclaimed Assassin’s Creed series, featuring the franchise’s most iconic hero, Ezio Auditore.
- Immerse yourself in three classic adventures featuring enhanced visuals on the current generation of consoles.
- Experience every moment in legendary Assassin Ezio’s epic journey from a young nobleman to fearless leader of the Brotherhood of Assassins.
- Explore deeper into Ezio’s incredible saga with two bonus short films that go beyond the trilogy.
- Make history across 80 hours of gameplay including three complete games and all single-player add-on content previously released.
Rank #3
- Includes both Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed Rogue, plus all single-player DLC.
- Become the most feared pirate in the Caribbean in Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag. Take part in an award-winning naval experience and explore a massive open world.
- Become the ultimate assassin hunter in Assassin’s Creed Rogue, and play as a Templar for the first time in franchise history.
- Additional bonus content: Black Beard: The Lost Journal (pp. 1– 55) and Assassin’s Creed: Awakening Volumes 1 & 2.
- Experience enhanced features like handheld mode, HD Rumble, a touch screen interface, and motion control aiming.
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