Ranked: The Best of All 14 Assassin's Creed Games

Since the release of the first game almost twenty years ago, Assassin’s Creed has expanded into a multi-platform phenomenon encompassing at least seven spin-offs, nine novels, and eleven comic series. a Michael Fassbender film An upcoming television series, along with a plethora of Pop! figurines to satisfy any fan of psychedelic music acts. This brand has become so widespread and well-known that its central concepts — the notion that religion stems from a misinterpretation of encoded signals sent by an ancient civilization of tech-savvy beings; and the idea that a covert struggle between proponents of liberty and those advocating for authority has persisted throughout history through key figures and intellectuals — have transformed from being intriguing and engaging to overly complex and daunting, ultimately becoming cliché and uninteresting.

It’s simple to overlook just how daring this series has been—and sometimes continues to be. Therefore, should you recall only one detail from this piece, make sure it's this: The concluding chapter of the second Assassin’s Creed game involved the protagonist brawling with the pope to unveil the existence of an advanced, prehistoric human society upon which many religious beliefs in our world are founded. Take a brief pause to appreciate that among all the gaming franchises globally, this specific series centered around skeptical, humorous, yet contentious conspiracies unexpectedly achieved widespread popularity.

This year, Assassin’s Creed Shadows signifies yet another kind of reboot, merging concepts from the initial trilogy, the "contemporary" series, along with the latest quasi-spinoff. Assassin’s Creed Mirage .

Shadows The launch presents an excellent moment to look back at the franchise’s twists and turns. Despite its overly dramatic plots and convoluted schemes, Assassin’s Creed has continually produced some of the weirdest, most humbling, and boldest big-budget titles around. One saga that covers everything from high-sea piracy adventures to criminal networks during the Victorian era, features numerous iconic Renaissance painters, includes a mystical artifact capable of eradicating humanity, and even climaxes with a showdown where you beat up Pope Alexander VI just because "truth lies beyond."

14. Assassin’s Creed Revelations

Even as they face the ongoing risk of expanding too much and potentially making costly creative mistakes, the developers behind Assassin’s Creed have primarily constructed their games based on the familiar framework of third-person stealth combat. In every installment, a protagonist combines acrobatic skills with a preference for hidden weapons to eliminate an entire political system, utilizing bystanders, hay stacks, and high vantage points to remain unseen. Assassin’s Creed Revelations serves as the exception in some way.

This game adapts a series renowned for elegant sneaking mechanics and includes, surprisingly enough, explosives — Yes, "bombs" is in plural form; you can create and detonate multiple types of explosive devices.

Even at the end of this list, I find it hard to engage in bullying. Revelations In their search for purpose, the designers reached for anything. anything That feature would set this game apart from its earlier versions. Although the bomb mechanics didn’t work out, several concepts suggested potential for excellence. Six years down the line, its chaotic fortress defense mechanism was improved upon. Middle-earth: Shadow of War And let me take it even further to state that Revelations features the finest characterization of Desmond, the unsavory main character who has been central to the franchise’s contemporary storyline for many years.

In an expanded series of first-person, 3D puzzles (you can indeed wear 3D glasses for this), Revelations published in 2011, following everything else), the player explores abstract environments (imagine something more cumbersome Portal ) to reveal Desmond’s profound existential insights. Alongside these scenes, there is a set of monologues recounting Desmond’s past as a mischievous runaway navigating the chaos of his twenties in New York City. For those curious about how an 'Assassin’s Creed' narrative might read if penned by a tipsy John Updike, this game will surely catch your interest.— Chris Plante

13. Assassin’s Creed 3

Assassin’s Creed 3 It's akin to a multicar collision: the franchise's swift commercial ambitions crashing headlong into the publisher’s escalating urge to cram in an ever-growing list of activities. This was compounded by the challenge of crafting a game under intense time pressure using contributions from a vast team scattered around the globe. While one office dimmed its lights in Canada, another brightened them in Shanghai; meanwhile, for many years, at every passing moment, individuals worldwide were injecting their concepts into this intricate system.

Following that, Ubisoft has structured itself based on this worldwide production approach, yet Assassin’s Creed 3 It feels, above all others, as though it emerged from a period of significant development challenges. Despite having numerous years to work on the game, the end result is somewhat inconsistent. This prompts questions about how their extensive production timeline was utilized, particularly regarding the establishment of procedures needed for crafting such an enormous-scale title.

It doesn’t aid matters that the game, similar to Revelations misunderstands what made earlier Assassin’s Creed games appealing. In those initial installments, players were able to dart nimbly from rooftop to rooftop above the narrow streets and urban areas of ancient villages and towns. Assassin’s Creed 3 places the player amidst the broad streets of colonial-era towns and thickets of forest in Colonial America. This backdrop leads to several whimsical narrative twists, yet fails to fully accommodate the core gameplay mechanics. CP

12. Assassin’s Creed Unity

Have you ever witnessed a planned implosion of an old structure? That’s the image that sticks with me. Assassin’s Creed Unity Similar to the collapse of a run-down motel, this accomplishment demands extensive expertise, meticulous preparation, and deep concentration on specifics. Though it's visually stunning, ultimately, what remains is just debris.

The initial Assassin’s Creed title designed explicitly for the preceding era of console and PC technology was released. Unity Despite being 11 (!) years old, it remains one of the most visually striking additions to the franchise. This stands out in video gaming—a medium where newer installments typically eclipse older ones graphically due to advancements in visual technology and innovative design techniques.

Unity Additionally, it incorporates multiplayer into its main story mode instead of confining it to extra sections. In earlier Assassin’s Creed titles, the player is depicted as the head of a team ofAI-driven assassins. Unity depicts every participant as part of a team led by humans.

The blend of multiplayer capabilities and advanced graphics proved to be overwhelming for the development team to accomplish and beyond what the contemporary hardware could support at the time. The game’s launch in 2014 became infamous for including a mix of amusing and bizarre insect anomalies .

As in Revelations , there's still something special hidden under the game's imperfections. Unity exudes grand concepts and innovative artistry. The depiction of Paris during the French Revolution stands out as the most opulent and lively setting within the series. Following its flawed launch, the creators slowly rebuilt their magnificent structure from the debris Over a decade later, it remains sturdy enough for a visit without worrying about potential collapse. CP

11. Assassin’s Creed

What makes the original so valuable? Assassin’s Creed — aside from its endearing wax-museum-style characters — Is the feeling, at each instant, as though you're experiencing the absurdity of the most ridiculous video game concept ever proposed. Imagine being the CEO of Ubisoft back in 2004 when the world’s top-selling titles were all the rage. Half-Life 2 , World of Warcraft , and "Grand Theft Auto." Patrice Désilets, an individual with prior accomplishments including Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time And a Donald Duck game proposes a new franchise that somewhat mirrors Grand Theft Auto.

Except. Except! However, there are no firearms, automobiles, popular tunes, or large-scale multiplayer arenas!

The setting of this game is the Holy Land in 1191. Players assume the identity of an assassin belonging to a covert political organization. Simultaneously, players step into the shoes of Desmond, a character from contemporary times, who uses a device enabling him to revisit the "genetic memories" stored within his lineage. Furthermore, in both historical periods—the one they inhabit and today—a significant quest commences aimed at uncovering a mysterious relic modeled after the fruit from the biblical Garden of Eden, which wields the capability to manipulate human thoughts.

The proposal for this project was approved, developed, and distributed. While it garnered mixed to somewhat positive feedback—often pointing out the scarcity of activities within the game—it generated significant anticipation well ahead of its launch. Recognizing its potential, Ubisoft committed further resources, releasing subsequent installments and expansions that added substantial material over time. As a result, commentators eventually complained about the abundance in the franchise: an overwhelming number of secondary missions, various gameplay options, and numerous titles in the series.

Revisiting the original Assassin’s Creed When you revisit this project, you'll uncover a remarkable prototype; its straightforward nature renders it nearly indistinguishable. There isn’t much to observe, nor many actions to perform. It resembles a small vial brimming with concepts powerful enough to nourish an expansive media enterprise. CP

10. Assassin’s Creed Rogue

A sort of follow-up to Black Flag , Assassin’s Creed Rogue The game delves briefly into maritime adventures involving pirate activities like captaining ships, searching for treasures, and cleaning decks. This installment introduces a significant plot turn where the player assumes the character of an assassin who has become a Templar, now pursuing and eliminating their ex-comrades out of vengeance for severe treachery. Drama ensues!

Despite all the narrative acrobatics, playing as the "antagonist" ultimately leads to typical debates about the blurry boundary between right and wrong. It also involves straightforward statements regarding how both factions in the series' main dispute contain flawed individuals whose noble aims get clouded.

Rogue is less rich than Black Flag It falls short visually (the vibrant tropical islands have been swapped for subdued Arctic landscapes), creatively (this project seems to have had only a portion of the funding allocated to similar releases), and commercially (unsurprisingly, it was launched as just another entry in the same genre). Assassin’s Creed Unity , with the latter consuming the marketing budget)).

For fans of Black Flag , there’s joy in envisioning an alternate reality where Rogue had gotten the backing it warranted, and Assassin’s Creed fully transitioned from parkour to piracy. CP

9. Assassin’s Creed Mirage

It’s called Assassin’s Creed Mirage Because its position in this list is deceptive. Is this a core series game? A side-story? An alternative timeline? I assume that as we have included it, Rogue , Mirage it merits its spot. However, the attempted return to form failed to connect deeply with both reviewers and viewers when compared to its peers within the series. Assassin’s Creed Shadows Now accessible with the assurance of an extensive, continuing AC ecosystem anticipated in the upcoming years. Mirage His position in AC history resembles the hasty jottings found in a dream diary. It's intriguing. Thought-provoking. Artfully unfinished.

Why does this entry remain fairly high up on our list then? Mirage It is a perfectly fine (and beautifully designed) stealth adventure with an appropriate scale that lets players view its credits before reaching total fatigue. Not all Assassin’s Creed games can boast this accomplishment. CP

8. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Larger doesn't necessarily mean better; often it just means larger. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla wraps up the "modern" trilogy of Assassin’s Creed games that transitioned the series from emphasizing stealth to adopting a more conventional (yet elaborately constructed) open-world action RPG. Despite this shift, Valhalla was smoother and richer compared to its earlier versions Origins and Odyssey It also seemed overdone—like the series was reverting to its old practice of recycling former triumphs instead of venturing into unexplored territory. Valhalla It isn't a bad game. However, after years of Assassin's Creed consistently impressing its dedicated fanbase, Valhalla Its major advantage was its large size. CP

7. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate mostly lives up to the flawed ambitions of its direct precursor. Unity In other words, Syndicate is a return to form, taking the stealthy climbing and killing of the early Assassin’s Creed games and transplanting them within a Victorian-era crime drama.

Sure, Syndicate 'S London provides a less visually stunning backdrop compared to Unity is set in Paris, and follows a predefined structure for its objectives, yet it functions smoothly overall. With a duo protagonist design—twin siblings: one a melee fighter who is male, the other a sneaky female—the game explores multiple approaches to executing enemies. Additionally, the vehicular combat sections provide a fresh dynamic to the gameplay experience eventually. finally , don’t have a feeling for punishment.

In conclusion, the game falters beneath the burden of fetch quests, obsolete combat systems, and an overwhelming amount of tedious tasks. However, Syndicate It’s all about the journey, even if you end up in the same spot as always. CP

6. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Ever since the inception of Assassins Creed, fans have clamored for a game set in historic Japan. Despite their plans covering various locations like Colonial America and mythical ancient Greece, Ubisoft delayed venturing into Japan. As they were preoccupied with other settings, rival companies beat them to the punch by releasing games set in feudal Japan, perhaps most notably. Ghost of Tsushima and Rise of the Ronin .

Was it worth waiting for? Generally yes. Assassin’s Creed Shadows keeps the role-playing game aspects of Origins , while including sneakier assassinations from the earlier installments of the series. The game’s open world boasts detail surpassing that of the aforementioned titles. Tsushima , Ronin They were not planned to be included. When you infiltrate a fortress, you anticipate seeing numerous thoughtfully designed enhancements, such as historically precise furnishings and intricate moldings.

The beginning is quite gradual—take, for instance, the highly anticipated co-lead character Yasuke, who only shows up after several hours of gameplay. However, when the open world finally unfolds, Shadows serves as a conclusion to the series, finally delivering on the expectations that its most loyal followers have anticipated. CP

5. Assassin’s Creed Origins

In some small way, Assassin’s Creed Origins brings back memories of the original Assassin’s Creed . Featuring significant alterations to both combat and navigation systems, Origins It might turn out to be a preliminary sketch for the upcoming ten years of Assassin’s Creed titles. However, it feels more like a compilation of best ideas rather than a bold, innovative concept.

It’s all here, with most things polished up nicely. However, I have a feeling that some elements seem familiar—perhaps not from this particular series, but possibly elsewhere.

What stands out, though, is the setting and the characters. Despite the narrative occasionally stumbling, the location and individuals represent a long-overdue shift away from the predominantly European focus of the series. Assassin’s Creed shines as engaging, interactive history. It’s delightful to explore uncharted territories. CP

4. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

If Origins is the foundation, Odyssey It is the house. It constructs adeptly. Origins , featuring an extraordinarily expansive map, enhanced focus on close-quarters combat, and richer role-playing aspects. The alterations are not as drastic as those introduced in its predecessor, yet they result in a generally more enjoyable gameplay experience.

One of the strongest aspects of Assassin’s Creed is its portrayal of grand family sagas. Odyssey The family saga, in particular, thrives against an immensely grand setting. The narrative unfolds gradually through countless hours of questing, which at times might make its scale seem overwhelming despite being engaging.

However, there is plenty to appreciate for those willing to dedicate their time. Kassandra and Alexios boast robust, well-crafted personas—plus, this marks the inaugural installment in the Assassin’s Creed series where players have the option to select a playable character. and Ubisoft successfully rationalized it within the franchise’s extensive backstory.

Odyssey Is a game that serves dual purposes as historical tourism. It showcases ancient Greece with its jagged cliffs, expansive vistas, pristine white sand beaches, and vibrant colors. color Everywhere you look. Thankfully, it includes a photo mode—the world is breathtaking.

Primarily, the genuine achievement of Odyssey This demonstrates how an established franchise like Titanic can evolve effectively. While it doesn’t introduce concepts that video games haven’t explored previously, it has been meticulously crafted with dedication and expertise. Simone de Rochefort

3. Assassin’s Creed 2

Assassin’s Creed 2 is the "perfectly balanced" porridge, an ideal equilibrium between validating the concept Assassin’s Creed and the hyper-refined Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood . Some folks will I'm telling you this is the peak moment of the series. And that seems quite sensible. The movie’s settings—Venice, the Vatican, and the Tuscan countryside—are varied and vivid, whereas its peers are noted for establishing first- and third-person shooter games with a thick, molasses-like quality.

In this show, the commitment to an absurdly paranoid skepticism is complete, and much like exceptional kitsch, it seems genuinely heartfelt despite its outlandish nature. Assassin’s Creed 2 Additionally, it initiates an unexpected trilogy centered on its protagonist, Ezio, a stylish Italian rogue assassin whose flair has been difficult for other series' leaders to surpass.

It’s A New Hope , Alien , and The Godfather It's fantastic. However, the follow-up is even better. — CP

2. Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag

Many Assassin’s Creed titles suffer from experimentation and divergence, yet this time around, the developers took a significant risk and succeeded. Encouraging players to invest numerous hours commanding a cumbersome pirate vessel contradicts the franchise's emphasis on stealth, agility, and wielding lethal prowess as an individual assassin. I believe Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag The work succeeds due to one key factor: The game boasts an impressive sense of direction and purpose, allowing it to attain comprehensive excellence.

The sea shanties, the vibrant flora, the sound of ocean waves crashing and sizzling, along with the feeling of owning your vessel—all these elements come together seamlessly. The contemporary time setting takes a backseat, leading to this experience. Black Flag It feels like an entirely distinct series of its own. There is no attempt to show deference or fulfill any duty beyond being exactly what it intends to be.

It’s unfortunate that its legacy might be remembered primarily as a multiplayer boat combat game rather than as a comprehensive open-world expansion. Still, perhaps Black Flag Maintains a sense of novelty due to its scarcity. Instead of keeping this ship seaworthy, Ubisoft went back to their initial treasure chest and have been raiding it continuously ever since. CP

1. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood

It's acceptable for a television program or a video game franchise to reach a point where it becomes nonsensical. Although "jumping the shark" typically carries a negative implication, I believe that once a narrative reaches this stage, it gains an almost surreal quality. This occurs when those behind the creation forcefully challenge the predefined rules within the storyline until these boundaries shatter irreversibly.

In other words, once out, it cannot be contained again—like toothpaste that won’t go back into the tube.

The phrase originates from an incident in Happy Days In this scene, Fonzie waterski jumps over a shark. Until then, the writers had established his character through increasingly impressive displays of coolness. The act of jumping a shark represents the pinnacle of such feats; it’s the ultimate demonstration of Fonzie’s awesomeness. However, it becomes so outlandish and unlikely that it defies even the show's usual suspension of disbelief. This transformation takes a grounded hometown hero and turns him into an eccentric quasi-famous figure, essentially destroying his original charm. Similarly, consider Homer Simpson—a bumbling father who embodies foolish antics yet remains relatable as he navigates family life. Causing Frank Grimes to inadvertently meet his demise This represents the least intelligent action Homer could take. It transforms a simple-minded father into an extremely foolish one. Each was an excellent episode within their own series. However, both detract from the enjoyment of subsequent episodes.

Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood marks the point where the franchise has jumped the shark, culminating from the necessity to cram more content into the series starting even with criticisms of the initial installment.

You have the ability to enlist other killers. You could control Rome as though you were a mafia head. Horse-to-horse eliminations are within your grasp. Everything moves at an accelerated pace, and the armory includes weaponry akin to guns, such as a powerful crossbow. The landscape is brimming with activities and targets ripe for elimination. Upon its debut, this wealth of content seemed less like a mandatory list of tasks and more like an extravagant bonus from generous developers.

Do I think Brotherhood Certainly, these elements represent some of the franchise’s least appealing traits. However, they feel new and refined here. This installment embodies gaming excess, which explains why Ubisoft has presented variations of this concept almost annually. CP