When Assassin’s Creed first debuted in 2007, it was like a bolt from the blue. Its captivating mix of historical intrigue, sci-fi elements, and exhilarating parkour action immediately captured the gaming community’s attention. This initial spark ignited a vibrant series, which expanded to include not only games but also comics and a major motion picture, creating a rich tapestry of lore and memorable characters.
Fast forward to now, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows is stealthily approaching its launch on March 20 for the PlayStation 5. This is the ideal time to dive into the series, understanding its evolution across the 13 main titles.
### Assassin’s Creed – 2007 – PlayStation 3 – Ubisoft
The adventure began in the 12th century with Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, thrusting players into a fresh, stealth-driven sandbox experience. Through the Animus, a machine enabling users to explore their ancestors’ memories, Desmond Miles—an unsuspecting 21st-century descendant—relives Altaïr’s exploits during the Third Crusade. This dual timeline of medieval action and modern-day narrative set the stage for one of the genre’s most influential franchises.
### Assassin’s Creed II – 2009 – PlayStation 3; 2016 – PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft
Ezio Auditore da Firenze took over as the protagonist in the sequel, transporting players to the stimulating era of the Italian Renaissance. Desmond’s journey continued, intersecting with historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci. The game upped the ante on storytelling and gameplay, with Ezio quickly becoming a beloved figure among fans.
### Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood – 2010 – PlayStation 3; 2016 – PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft
Picking up where Assassin’s Creed II left off, Brotherhood continued Ezio’s saga as he recruited and expanded the Assassin Brotherhood in Rome. It retained the notoriety mechanics but added horseback assassinations, a new array of weapons, and thrilling combat options. Its multiplayer mode was a standout, providing a new dimension of stealth gameplay.
### Assassin’s Creed Revelations – 2011 – PlayStation 3; 2016 – PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft
Ezio’s trilogy concluded with Revelations, which saw him navigating Constantinople in search of keys to Altaïr’s hidden library—a quest central to the Assassins and Templars’ age-old conflict. The narrative blended Desmond’s dire situation with a host of gameplay enhancements, like the hookblade and dynamic environmental interactions, keeping players fully engaged.
### Assassin’s Creed III – 2012 – PlayStation 3; 2019 – PlayStation 4 (Remastered) – Ubisoft
With Assassin’s Creed III, the series made its way to North American shores, chronicling the tumultuous period of the American Revolution. Desmond’s journey led him to explore the exploits of Connor, an assassin born from a Templar lineage. This installment brought sweeping changes, with gameplay improvements focusing on open-world environments and debuting naval combat, among other features.
### Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – 2013 – PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
Black Flag expanded players’ horizons with its pirate-themed open world, embracing the high seas during the Golden Age of Piracy. This adventure gave players the freedom to captain their own ship, engage in naval battles, and explore underwater treasures, providing unprecedented freedom and exhilarating oceanic escapades.
### Assassin’s Creed Rogue – 2014 – PlayStation 3; 2018 – PlayStation 4 (Remastered) – Ubisoft
Assassin’s Creed Rogue flipped the script by putting players in the shoes of Shay Patrick Cormac, a Templar who once walked the path of an Assassin. This shift in perspective breathed new life into the series’ narrative, set against the harsh backdrop of the North Atlantic and New York City.
### Assassin’s Creed Unity – 2014 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
Unity transported the action to revolutionary Paris and introduced a new cooperative campaign system. Players could team up with friends to navigate this beautifully recreated city, customizing their gear and strategies in ways unseen before in the series.
### Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – 2015 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
Taking the fight to Victorian London, Syndicate introduced dual protagonists, Jacob and Evie Frye, marking the first time players could control a mainline female Assassin. Their mission against Templar forces incorporated elements like carriage chases and innovative stealth tactics, enhancing the series’ complexity and immersive narrative.
### Assassin’s Creed Origins – 2017 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
By revisiting the dawn of the Assassins in Ptolemaic Egypt, Origins pivoted the series toward a more RPG-styled approach. It embraced deep progression systems, crafting mechanics, and a combat model that catered to players’ abilities to execute frenzied attacks and devastating finishers.
### Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – 2018 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
Set against the backdrop of Ancient Greece, Odyssey built upon Origins, introducing robust dialogue choices and multiple story outcomes. Players navigated the classic conflict between Athens and Sparta, while mythological themes added a layer of intrigue and adventure to the narrative.
### Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – 2020 – PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 – Ubisoft
Valhalla placed players in the midst of Viking invasions, offering a beautifully brutal backdrop filled with lush environments and rich storytelling. It inherited the settlement mechanics from earlier titles, mixed with engaging mini-games and epic battles, delivering one of the most immersive experiences yet.
### Assassin’s Creed Mirage – 2023 – PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 – Ubisoft
Mirage harkened back to the series’ roots by simplifying its focus onto stealth and parkour in a richly detailed 9th-century Baghdad. With a storyline centered around the character Basim Ibn Ishaq, it offered a more concise experience, reducing modern-day distractions to let players delve deeply into its historical narrative.
And with Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the horizon, set in a captivating 16th-century Japanese setting, fans can look forward to continuing this epic saga—always remembering that “Nothing is true, everything is permitted.”
