The Assassin’s Creed series spans thousands of years, jumping between ancient empires, medieval cities, and modern-day mysteries. If you’re new to the franchise—or planning a full replay—playing in chronological order is a great way to experience history unfold through the eyes of different Assassins.

Below, we’ll walk through the mainline games in the order their stories occur in history. This list focuses on core entries, leaving out spin-offs and side projects that don’t significantly impact the overarching timeline.

1. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (431–422 BC, released 2018)

Setting: Ancient Greece
Protagonist: Kassandra or Alexios

Odyssey kicks off the earliest chapter in the timeline. Set during the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, it blends historical figures like Socrates with mythological encounters such as Medusa and the Cyclops. While the Assassin and Templar Orders don’t exist yet, the Cult of Kosmos acts as a proto-Templar group.

2. Assassin’s Creed Origins (49–44 BC, released 2017)

Setting: Ancient Egypt
Protagonist: Bayek of Siwa

Origins marks the birth of the Brotherhood. Bayek and Aya’s personal tragedy evolves into a wider battle against the Order of the Ancients, laying the foundation for the Hidden Ones—the precursors to the Assassins.

3. Assassin’s Creed Mirage (861 AD, released 2023)

Setting: Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age
Protagonist: Basim Ibn Ishaq

Mirage returns to the franchise’s stealth roots, focusing on Basim’s journey from street thief to member of the Hidden Ones. While smaller in scope than recent RPG-heavy entries, it delivers a concentrated story tied closely to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

4. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (872–878 AD, released 2020)

Setting: England and Norway
Protagonist: Eivor Varinsdottir/Varinsson

Valhalla follows Viking leader Eivor as they establish settlements in England. The story weaves Norse legends with the struggle between Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients. It also expands Basim’s role in the larger Assassin’s Creed mythos.

See also: Assassin’s Creed Shadows: How to Get Ezio’s Outfit and Robes

5. Assassin’s Creed (1191 AD, released 2007)

Setting: The Holy Land during the Third Crusade
Protagonist: Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad

The original game introduces the conflict between Assassins and Templars. Altaïr must redeem himself by eliminating key targets across Jerusalem, Damascus, and Acre. This entry also establishes the Animus and Pieces of Eden—central elements of the series.

6. Assassin’s Creed II (1476–1499 AD, released 2009)

Setting: Renaissance Italy
Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da Firenze

Ezio’s story begins with a personal quest for revenge, gradually pulling him into the heart of the Assassin Brotherhood. With locations like Florence and Venice, and allies such as Leonardo da Vinci, AC II remains a fan favorite.

7. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (1499–1507 AD, released 2010)

Setting: Rome
Protagonist: Ezio Auditore

Picking up right after AC II, Brotherhood follows Ezio as he rebuilds the Assassins in Rome and battles the Borgia family. It’s also the first game to introduce a recruitable Assassin system.

8. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (1511–1512 AD, released 2011)

Setting: Constantinople
Protagonist: Ezio Auditore

Ezio’s final chapter connects his journey to Altaïr’s legacy. Older and wiser, he seeks keys to Altair’s library while confronting Byzantine Templars. It’s a reflective entry that closes the Ezio trilogy.

9. Assassin’s Creed Shadows (1579–1581 AD, releasing 2025)

Setting: Feudal Japan
Protagonists: Naoe and Yasuke

The long-requested Japanese setting arrives in Shadows. Players alternate between Naoe, a skilled shinobi, and Yasuke, the African samurai serving under Oda Nobunaga. Their stories intersect during the late Sengoku civil wars.

10. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (1715–1722 AD, released 2013)

Setting: Caribbean Islands
Protagonist: Edward Kenway

Known for its naval combat, Black Flag turns piracy into Assassin gameplay. Edward, a privateer-turned-pirate, becomes entangled in the Templar conflict while pursuing treasure and freedom.

11. Assassin’s Creed Rogue (1752–1760 AD, released 2014)

Setting: North America
Protagonist: Shay Patrick Cormac

Rogue flips the script by letting you play as a Templar. Disillusioned Assassin Shay joins the Templars after witnessing Brotherhood missteps, directly tying into events of Assassin’s Creed III.

12. Assassin’s Creed III (1754–1783 AD, released 2012)

Setting: Colonial America
Protagonist: Ratonhnhaké:ton (Connor)

Set during the American Revolution, AC III follows Connor’s fight to protect his people while clashing with the Templars. Historic figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin feature prominently.

13. Assassin’s Creed Unity (1789–1794 AD, released 2014)

Setting: Paris during the French Revolution
Protagonist: Arno Dorian

Unity explores revolutionary Paris with its dense crowds and cooperative multiplayer missions. Arno’s story blends personal loss with the larger Assassin–Templar struggle.

14. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (1868 AD, released 2015)

Setting: Victorian London
Protagonists: Jacob and Evie Frye

The Frye twins bring the series into the Industrial Revolution. Together, they challenge Templar dominance over London’s underworld. Time anomalies and DLC even touch on World War I through Lydia Frye.

Should You Play in Chronological Order?

Playing in historical order offers a unique perspective on how the Brotherhood evolves through different eras. However, keep in mind the modern-day storyline progresses by release order, not historical order. If you’re invested in the overarching narrative, release order may make more sense. But if your goal is to walk through history step by step, chronological order is a rewarding path.

Final Recommendation:

• For lore-first players: Play by release order.
• For history lovers: Play by chronological order (as listed above).

Either way, Assassin’s Creed delivers a journey through time like no other franchise. Play Now!

All Assassin’s Creed Games release order:

1. Assassin’s Creed (2007)
2. Assassin’s Creed II (2009)
3. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010)
4. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011)
5. Assassin’s Creed III (2012)
6. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013)
7. Assassin’s Creed Rogue (2014)
8. Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014)
9. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015)
10. Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017)
11. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018)
12. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020)
13. Assassin’s Creed Mirage (2023)
14. Assassin’s Creed Shadows (2025)