The Assassin’s Creed series takes players on a journey spanning more than 2,000 years of human history, from the dawn of recorded civilization to the modern era. While the games are best experienced in release order for the first playthrough—due to evolving gameplay mechanics and the continuous modern-day storyline—many fans enjoy replaying or discovering the series in historical chronological order. This approach lets you follow the Assassin-Templar conflict and the hidden Isu (Precursors) lore as events unfold across centuries.
Below is the complete chronological order of the mainline Assassin’s Creed games, organized by their primary historical settings. Dates are approximate and based on the core story periods.
1. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (431–422 BCE)
Set in Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War, this RPG-style epic follows Kassandra (or Alexios) as a mercenary entangled in political intrigue, mythology, and the early machinations of the Cult of Kosmos. It offers vast open-world exploration and deep ties to Isu lore.
2. Assassin’s Creed Origins (49–43 BCE)
Taking place in Ptolemaic Egypt during the time of Cleopatra, Origins tells the story of Bayek, a Medjay protector whose personal tragedy leads to the founding of the Hidden Ones—the organization that would become the Assassins. This game marks the transition to action-RPG gameplay and introduces the ancient roots of the Templar Order.
3. Assassin’s Creed Mirage (861 CE)
Set in the Abbasid Caliphate during the Islamic Golden Age, Mirage returns to more traditional stealth-focused gameplay. It follows Basim Ibn Ishaq in Baghdad and serves as a narrative bridge, significantly expanding Isu mythology while delivering a tighter, more focused experience.
4. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (872–878 CE, with later arcs)
This Viking epic follows Eivor in Norway and England during the Viking invasions. The massive open world explores raids, settlement building, alliances, and mythological realms. While it overlaps slightly with Mirage in the broader timeline, it continues the story of the Hidden Ones and Isu artifacts.
5. Assassin’s Creed (1191 CE)
The original game that started it all. Set during the Third Crusade in the Holy Land (Jerusalem, Acre, and Damascus), it introduces Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad and establishes the core parkour, stealth assassination, and Assassin-Templar conflict that define the series.
6. Assassin’s Creed II (1476–1499 CE)
Widely regarded as one of the best entries, this Renaissance masterpiece follows Ezio Auditore da Firenze in Italy (Florence, Venice, Forlì, and more). Rich in historical detail, memorable characters like Leonardo da Vinci, and a compelling revenge story, it transformed the series.
7. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (1499–1507 CE)
A direct continuation of Ezio’s saga, now set primarily in Rome. Brotherhood expands the gameplay with Assassin recruitment, management systems, and improved combat, while deepening the conflict with the Borgia family.
8. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (1511–1512 CE)
Ezio’s final chapter takes him to Constantinople in the Ottoman Empire. The game beautifully concludes his arc while weaving in Altaïr’s untold story through hidden memories, focusing on themes of legacy, mentorship, and closure.
9. Assassin’s Creed Shadows (1579 CE onward)
Set in feudal Japan during the Sengoku period and the Azuchi-Momoyama era, Shadows introduces dual protagonists: Naoe, a stealthy shinobi (kunoichi), and Yasuke, a powerful samurai. The game explores the turbulent unification wars, including the era of Oda Nobunaga, and brings Assassin-Templar intrigue to a new cultural landscape.
10. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (1715–1722 CE)
One of the most beloved entries, Black Flag is set during the Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean. Players follow Edward Kenway, a charismatic pirate whose adventures blend naval combat, exploration, and a surprisingly emotional story about freedom and betrayal.
11. Assassin’s Creed Rogue (1752–1760 CE)
Set during the Seven Years’ War in North America and the Atlantic, Rogue offers a unique Templar perspective through protagonist Shay Patrick Cormac. It features strong naval gameplay and directly bridges the gap to the next era.
12. Assassin’s Creed III (1754–1783 CE)
Taking place amid the American Revolution, this game follows Ratonhnhaké:ton (Connor), a Native American Assassin. It explores colonial America, frontier wilderness, and key historical events, with strong emphasis on freedom and revolution.
13. Assassin’s Creed Unity (1789–1794 CE)
Set during the French Revolution in Paris, Unity follows Arno Dorian. The game features impressive parkour across a densely recreated revolutionary city and examines themes of brotherhood, betrayal, and idealism.
14. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (1868 CE)
The series moves into the Industrial Revolution with Victorian London as its backdrop. Twin protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye lead a gang war against the Templars while interacting with historical figures and navigating carriage chases, stealth, and urban combat.
Important Notes for Players
- Prehistoric Isu Era: Many games reference the advanced Isu civilization that existed roughly 75,000 years ago. Odyssey, Origins, and especially Valhalla dive deepest into this lore, often through story segments or DLCs such as Fate of Atlantis and Dawn of Ragnarök.
- DLC and Expansions: Most downloadable content fits within the base game’s historical period and is worth playing for additional story and gameplay.
- Modern-Day Story: The overarching narrative involving the Animus, Abstergo, and characters like Desmond Miles progresses in release order, not historical order. Jumping chronologically may reduce the impact of certain reveals and character arcs.
- Spin-offs: Titles like the Chronicles trilogy, mobile games, and the 2016 live-action movie exist in the timeline but are not required for the main experience.
- Recommendation for New Players: If this is your first time with the series, play the games in release order (starting with the 2007 original and progressing through to the latest titles). This provides the smoothest introduction to mechanics, story, and modern-day plot. Historical order is ideal for second playthroughs or history enthusiasts.
The chronological list above reflects the established timeline as of 2026, including Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Minor overlaps occur because some stories span several years, but the sequence follows the primary historical focus of each game.
Whether you’re a longtime fan revisiting the series or a newcomer eager to leap through time, playing in historical order offers a unique perspective on how the Assassin Brotherhood and Templar Order have shaped (and been shaped by) humanity’s greatest eras.
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