by Isaac May 28,2025
Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed series has taken players on an epic journey through history, spanning five continents and covering over 2,300 years across 13 mainline games. As we eagerly anticipate the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, let's dive into the timeline of the Assassin's Creed universe. This chronology focuses solely on the mainline games, which are essential to understanding the ongoing narrative of the Assassin-Templar conflict.
For a deeper dive into the historical settings of the Assassin's Creed games, don't miss our comprehensive guide to the Assassin's Creed timeline.
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The Assassin's Creed franchise boasts 14 mainline games and an additional 17 spinoff titles. Beyond gaming, the universe expands into an Assassin's Creed board game and a forthcoming TV series on Netflix.
The Assassin's Creed timeline offers numerous starting points. If you're drawn to compelling storytelling, the Ezio trilogy (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is a stellar choice. For those intrigued by more recent entries, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers an engaging pirate adventure, while Assassin's Creed Odyssey immerses players in the ancient world of Greece.
PS4, Xbox One, PC
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Nintendo Switch
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PS4, Xbox One, PC
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There are two primary ways to experience the Assassin's Creed saga. The first is by following the modern-day storyline, which progresses chronologically with each game release. This method is ideal for those committed to the full franchise, as it offers a coherent narrative and showcases the series' evolution from stealth-action to expansive RPGs.
The second approach is by the historical settings of the games. While these stories are less interconnected, they provide a rich exploration of different eras and are perfect for those fascinated by history.
Here's a brief overview of each mainline game, designed with series newcomers in mind. These summaries include only mild spoilers such as key plot points, historical settings, and character introductions.
Primary setting: Ancient Greece
Historic Protagonist: Cassandra or Alexios
Modern Protagonist: Layla Hassan
Set nearly 400 years before any other mainline game, Assassin's Creed Odyssey marks the franchise's shift to a full-fledged RPG. You embody either Cassandra or Alexios, descendants of Sparta's King Leonidas I, navigating the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens. The game blends historical events with mythology, featuring encounters with figures like Hippocrates and mythical beings like the Sphinx. While set before the formation of the Assassin and Templar orders, it introduces a crucial Piece of Eden, the Spear of Leonidas.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna | IGN's Assassin's Creed Odyssey Wiki
Primary setting: Ancient Egypt
Historic Protagonist: Bayek of Siwa
Modern Protagonist: Layla Hassan
Following a year's hiatus, Ubisoft released Assassin's Creed Origins in 2017, which served as a soft reboot and introduced RPG elements. Set in Ancient Egypt during the reigns of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra, the game follows Bayek and Aya as they seek vengeance for their son's death, uncovering a proto-Templar organization called the Order of the Ancients. Their journey leads to the formation of the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins. The modern-day narrative introduces Layla Hassan, who continues her story through Odyssey and Valhalla.
Available on: PS4, Xbox, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna | IGN's Assassin's Creed Origins Wiki
Primary setting: 9th Century Baghdad
Historic Protagonist: Basim Ibn Ishaq
Modern Protagonist: N/A
Released in 2023, Assassin's Creed Mirage is a more focused, stealth-driven experience reminiscent of the series' early days. You play as a young Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief with haunting visions, who later becomes a key figure in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Mirage tells the story of Basim's journey from Baghdad to the Hidden Ones' fortress of Alamut under the guidance of his mentor Roshan. Unlike other entries, it doesn't feature a prominent modern-day storyline.
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Amazon Luna | IGN's Assassin's Creed Mirage Wiki
Primary setting: 9th Century England and Norway
Historic Protagonist: Eivor Varinsson/Varinsdottir
Modern Protagonist: Layla Hassan
Assassin's Creed Valhalla delves into Norse history and mythology, making it the series' largest game to date. As Eivor, you lead your clan from resource-scarce Norway to the fertile lands of England, continuing the battle against the Order of the Ancients. The game integrates historical figures like King Harald Fairhair and mythological elements such as Fenrir and Odin. The modern-day story concludes Layla Hassan's arc.
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna | IGN's Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wiki
Primary setting: 12th Century Holy Land (Acre, Damascus, Jerusalem)
Historic Protagonist: Altair Ibn'La-Ahad
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles
The inaugural Assassin's Creed game introduces Altair Ibn'La-Ahad and sets the stage for the series' core mechanics and narrative. Set during the Third Crusade, Altair hunts down nine Templars while the modern-day story introduces Desmond Miles and the ongoing Assassin-Templar conflict. This game also establishes key elements like the Pieces of Eden and the Animus, the device that allows modern protagonists to relive historical memories.
Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, PC | IGN's Assassin's Creed Wiki
Primary setting: 15th Century Italy
Historic Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles
Assassin's Creed II introduces the beloved Ezio Auditore da Firenze, whose saga spans three games. Set in 15th-century Italy, Ezio's journey begins as a quest for vengeance but evolves into a larger fight against the Templars. The game takes players from Florence to the Vatican, introducing historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Pope Alexander VI. In the present day, Desmond begins his work with the Assassins.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, Switch (The Ezio Collection); PS3, Xbox 360, PC (Original Release) | IGN's Assassin's Creed 2 Wiki
Primary setting: 15th-16th Century Italy
Historic Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles
Continuing from Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood follows Ezio as he rebuilds Rome's Assassins Guild and seeks the Apple of Eden. In the modern day, Desmond and the Assassins journey to Italy to retrieve the same artifact, which may hold the key to preventing the world's end.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, Switch (The Ezio Collection); PS3, Xbox 360, PC (Original Release) | IGN's Assassin's Creed Brotherhood Wiki
Primary setting: 16th Century Constantinople
Historic Protagonist: Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles
The final chapter of the Ezio trilogy, Revelations, sees an older Ezio travel to Constantinople in search of Altair's hidden library. The game intertwines Ezio's story with Altair's memories, culminating in revelations about Ezio's role in the broader narrative. In the present, Desmond navigates the Animus to escape "the Black Room" and regain consciousness.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, Switch (The Ezio Collection); PS3, Xbox 360, PC (Original Release) | IGN's Assassin's Creed Revelations Wiki
Primary setting: Feudal Japan
Historic Protagonist: Naoe and Yasuke
Modern Protagonist: N/A
The upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows transports players to Feudal Japan during the late Sengoku period. With dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke, the game offers unique gameplay perspectives. Yasuke, an African mercenary turned samurai, and Naoe, a shinobi-in-training, unite in a quest for vengeance. Shadows introduces the Animus Hub, a platform that unifies the franchise and adds modern-day subplots.
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | IGN's Assassin's Creed Shadows Wiki
Primary setting: 18th Century Caribbean Islands
Historic Protagonist: Edward Kenway
Modern Protagonist: Unnamed Abstergo Employee
Set two centuries after Ezio's adventures, Black Flag introduces naval gameplay and follows pirate Edward Kenway, grandfather of AC III's Connor Kenway. The game features historical pirates like Blackbeard and Mary Read, as Edward becomes entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict and searches for the Observatory, a First Civilization site. The modern-day narrative follows an unnamed Abstergo employee reliving Connor's life to create a film.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC, Stadia; Switch (The Rebel Collection) | IGN's Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag Wiki
Primary setting: 18th Century American Northeast
Historic Protagonist: Shay Patrick Cormac
Modern Protagonist: Abstergo Employee "Numbskull"
Assassin's Creed Rogue bridges the narrative between AC III and AC IV, featuring Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar. Shay's quest for a Piece of Eden is intertwined with the story of Haytham Kenway, father of AC III's Connor. The modern-day story follows another Abstergo employee, referred to as "Numbskull," working for the Templars.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Stadia; Switch (The Rebel Collection) | IGN's Assassin's Creed Rogue Wiki
Primary setting: 18th Century Colonial America
Historic Protagonist: Ratonhnhaké "Connor" Kenway
Modern Protagonist: Desmond Miles
Set during the American Revolution, Assassin's Creed III follows Connor Kenway as he protects his tribe and the Grand Temple from the Templars. The game features historical figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. The modern-day story concludes Desmond's journey as he and the Assassins work to avert the prophesized end of the world.
Available on: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC, Stadia | IGN's Assassin's Creed 3 Wiki
Primary setting: 18th Century France
Historic Protagonist: Arno Dorian
Modern Protagonist: Unnamed Helix Player
Set during the French Revolution, Assassin's Creed Unity follows Arno Dorian's quest for vengeance amidst the Assassin-Templar conflict. Historical figures like Napoléon Bonaparte and King Louis XVI appear. The modern-day story involves a player using Abstergo's Helix gaming software, which serves as Templar propaganda and DNA collection tool.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna | IGN's Assassin's Creed Unity Wiki
Primary setting: Victorian London
Historic Protagonists: Jacob and Evie Frye
Modern Protagonist: Unnamed Helix Player
Assassin's Creed Syndicate features twin protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye, who work to liberate London from Templar control while seeking a Piece of Eden. The game is set in 1868, with notable historical figures including Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Darwin. The modern-day narrative follows the same Helix player from Unity, assisting the Assassins in locating another Piece of Eden.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Amazon Luna | IGN's Assassin's Creed Syndicate Wiki
Assassin's Creed (2007)
Assassin's Creed II (2009)
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (2010)
Assassin's Creed: Revelations (2011)
Assassin's Creed III / Liberation (2012)
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag / Freedom Cry (2013)
Assassin's Creed Rogue (2014)
Assassin's Creed Unity (2014)
Assassin's Creed Syndicate (2015)
Assassin's Creed Origins (2017)
Assassin's Creed Odyssey (2018)
Assassin's Creed Valhalla (2020)
Assassin's Creed Mirage (2023)
Assassin's Creed Nexus VR (2023)
Assassin's Creed Shadows (2024)
Assassin's Creed Shadows, the latest addition to the series, is set to release on March 20. While details on future mainline games remain scarce, Ubisoft's CEO has confirmed remakes of older titles are in development. Additionally, a live-action Assassin's Creed series is in production at Netflix, and Tencent's mobile-exclusive title, Assassin's Creed Jade, has been delayed to 2025.
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