The Assassin's Creed series has been captivating gamers with its historical adventures since its debut in 2007. From the bustling streets of Renaissance Italy to the ancient landscapes of Greece, Ubisoft's open-world saga offers a unique blend of historical exploration and thrilling conspiracies. Unlike many of its peers in the action-adventure genre, which often transport players to fantastical realms or modern urban sprawls, Assassin's Creed immerses us in rich historical settings, providing an engaging, semi-educational journey through time.
Throughout its 14 mainline entries, the core gameplay of Assassin's Creed has remained largely consistent, yet the series has continuously evolved. From changes in player progression to ever-expanding worlds, each installment brings something new to the table.
Determining the best Assassin's Creed games is no easy feat. After much discussion and debate, we've compiled a list of the top 10 mainline entries in the series.
So, without further ado, here are our top 10 Assassin's Creed games.
The 10 Best Assassin's Creed Games
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Playing the latest game in the series? Check out our Assassin's Creed Shadows guide.
Assassin's Creed: Revelations
Assassin's Creed: Revelations concludes the stories of Altair Ibn-La-Ahad and Ezio Auditore, delivering a memorable and thrilling send-off. Despite some less impactful additions like the Den Defense mode, the game is packed with fascinating adventures, from ziplining in Constantinople to spending time with Leonardo Da Vinci. Revelations serves as both a celebration of the series' past and a glimpse into its future, allowing players to bid farewell to these iconic characters.
Assassin's Creed Syndicate
Assassin's Creed games are renowned for their immersive settings, and Syndicate's 19th-century Victorian London is no exception. The game's setting, with its industrial backdrop, factories, horse-drawn carriage races, and encounters with Jack the Ripper, creates a vivid and tangible world. The unique string-heavy score by Austin Wintory, combined with the dual protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye, each with their own soundtracks, adds to the game's immersive atmosphere. Additionally, the effective use of a cane as a weapon is a highlight, reminiscent of the combat in Bloodborne.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
While Assassin's Creed Valhalla may not have revolutionized the series like Origins, it made significant enhancements. The combat feels more impactful, and traditional side quests have been replaced by world events, enhancing exploration and discovery. The game also streamlines loot management, making rewards feel more valuable. Eivor's story, blending historical fantasy with Norse mythology, is engaging and offers fans a deep dive into the sagas, culminating in a game-length expansion set in the realm of Thor and Odin.
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood continues the journey of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, solidifying his status as a beloved protagonist. Set in an expanded version of Rome, the game builds on the mechanics introduced in Assassin's Creed 2, including swimming, property management, firearms, and recruitable allies. Ezio's story is filled with charm, wit, and drama, and the updated combat system allows players to embrace their inner aggressive assassin. Brotherhood also introduced multiplayer, offering a unique Templar perspective and adding a competitive edge to the series.
Assassin's Creed Origins
Assassin's Creed Origins marked a pivotal shift in the series, transitioning from a stealth-focused action-adventure to a full-fledged open-world RPG. Beyond its historical significance, Origins is a compelling entry in its own right. The story of Bayek and Aya, driven by a quest for justice that leads to the founding of the Assassin's Brotherhood, is deeply engaging. The ancient Egyptian setting is breathtaking, and the move to loot-based progression and action RPG combat revitalized the series, offering fans a fresh and invigorating experience.
Assassin's Creed Unity
Assassin's Creed Unity, the first entry to be exclusively released on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, returned the series to its roots with a focus on stealth and assassination. Despite a challenging launch marred by bugs and glitches, Unity has since been refined into a fan favorite through subsequent patches. The game's enhanced parkour system offers fluid and elegant movement, facilitating excellent hit-and-run tactics. The main assassination missions are a highlight, providing multiple infiltration options, and the detailed recreation of Paris, including landmarks like Notre Dame, remains visually stunning.
Assassin's Creed Shadows
Developer: Ubisoft Quebec | Publisher: Ubisoft | Release date: March 20, 2025 | Review: Read IGN's Assassin's Creed Shadows review
Assassin's Creed Shadows fulfills fans' long-standing desire to explore Feudal Japan during the Sengoku period. The game refocuses on stealth and infiltration, delivering a more balanced experience compared to its predecessors. Featuring dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, Shadows allows players to experience the game from two distinct perspectives. Naoe's stealth-oriented toolkit contrasts with Yasuke's samurai combat style, offering a dynamic gameplay experience. The game's world, with its seasonal changes, is one of the most visually impressive in the series.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Assassin's Creed Odyssey expands on Origins' combat and role-playing elements, set against the backdrop of Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War. The game's vast, vibrant world offers stunning landscapes and engaging naval warfare. The revamped notoriety system adds tension with cat-and-mouse chases, while the nation struggle system allows players to participate in large-scale battles. The compelling story, eccentric side quests, and charismatic protagonist make Odyssey a standout, with plenty to explore and discover long after the main campaign.
Assassin's Creed 2
Assassin's Creed 2 is often credited with perfecting the series' formula, introducing dynamic assassination missions with increased flexibility and options for stealth and combat. The addition of swimming, catacomb missions, and an upgradeable homebase villa deepened the gameplay, while Leonardo da Vinci's inventions provided fresh gear and weapons. Set in the Italian Renaissance, the game introduced Ezio Auditore da Firenze, one of the series' most iconic protagonists, and meaningfully connected the historical narrative to the present-day story, culminating in a memorable ending.
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag introduces a unique protagonist, Edward Kenway, who is a pirate first and an assassin second. The Caribbean setting serves as an expansive sandbox, filled with islands, treasure, and activities. The game elevates naval combat, making it a central and enjoyable aspect of the experience. Whether hunting merchant ships or engaging in fierce battles with other pirates, the seamless transition between land and sea enhances player freedom. Black Flag not only stands out in the Assassin's Creed series but is also celebrated as one of the best pirate games ever.
### Every Assassin's Creed Game Tier ListEvery Assassin's Creed Game Tier List
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And there you have it! Those are our top Assassin's Creed games. Disagree with the ranking? Think another entry should have been on the list? Let us know your favorite Assassin's Creed in the comments.
Upcoming Assassin's Creed Games
If you're eager to see what's next for Assassin's Creed, keep an eye on several upcoming titles. Assassin's Creed Shadows has just been released, allowing players to explore Feudal Japan as both a shinobi and a samurai. Assassin's Creed Jade, set in ancient China, is in development for mobile devices, though it doesn't have a confirmed release date yet. Additionally, Assassin's Creed: Codename Hexe promises a mysterious and occult-themed adventure that will introduce fresh ideas to the series.
Assassin's Creed: The Complete Playlist
From the 2007 debut to the latest console, PC, mobile, and VR projects, here is the entire Assassin's Creed series in one comprehensive list. Log in to track which ones you've played.
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