When Assassin’s Creed first stealthily made its debut on our screens in 2007, it was like an unexpected blade from the shadows. This incredible blend of history, science fiction, and parkour-based action grabbed everyone’s attention. It gave birth to a franchise rich in lore and unforgettable characters, which expanded into games, comic books, and even made its way to the silver screen.
Now, with Assassin’s Creed Shadows poised for its PlayStation 5 release on March 20, let’s delve into the main saga comprising 13 total games.
### Assassin’s Creed – 2007 – PlayStation 3 – Ubisoft
The original instalment introduced us to the world of Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, a 12th-century assassin. This was a fresh take on sandbox action-stealth gaming, featuring the Animus—a device that lets people experience the genetic memories of their ancestors. Here, players witness Altaïr’s adventures through the perspective of his modern-day descendant, Desmond Miles, with a complex plot unfolding across both timelines.
Assassin’s Creed laid a solid foundation for a genre, setting the stage for its eventual, even more beloved sequel.
For PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 owners, you can access these tales through Assassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection:
### Assassin’s Creed II – 2009 – PlayStation 3 and – 2016 – PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft
The sequel continued Desmond’s journey but surprised many by shifting from Altaïr’s tale to the Italian Renaissance. As the charismatic Ezio Auditore da Firenze, players embarked on a revenge quest woven with figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli. Meanwhile, Desmond found himself more involved in the modern-day Assassin Brotherhood.
Where Assassin’s Creed set the stage, its sequel refined the formula, making Ezio a beloved character.
### Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood – 2010 – PlayStation 3 and – 2016 – PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft
Picking up right after Assassin’s Creed II, this sequel kept Ezio in the spotlight as he built up the Assassin Brotherhood across Rome. Brotherhood introduced the notoriety system, horseback assassinations, and new weapons like the crossbow and poison darts. Players could also recruit apprentice assassins for missions.
The game introduced a compelling multiplayer mode, allowing players to hunt each other down—only to disappear seamlessly into the crowd.
### Assassin’s Creed Revelations – 2011 – PlayStation 3 and – 2016 – PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft
Revelations wrapped up the Ezio trilogy, with our seasoned assassin heading to Constantinople to retrieve keys to Altaïr’s secret library—potentially the key to ending the Templar-Assassin war. Meanwhile, Desmond had to sync completely with both Ezio and Altaïr to return to reality.
Revelations further elevated gameplay with zip lines, the Hookblade, and dynamic interactions with NPCs.
### Assassin’s Creed III – 2012 – PlayStation 3 and – 2019 – PlayStation 4 (Remastered) – Ubisoft
For the first time, the series ventured into North America, as Desmond sought to prevent a looming global disaster. Players lived through the memories of Haytham Kenway, an 18th-century Templar, and his son, Connor, who turned assassin.
This installment overhauled the series with a focus on rural settings, enhanced combat mechanics, and introduced hunting and naval warfare, marking a revolutionary moment for the franchise.
### Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – 2013 – PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
With Black Flag, players were truly set free, exploring the high seas during the Golden Age of Piracy. Naval combat and exploration were expanded, allowing players to attack ships, hunt treasures, and complete side missions at sea.
Edward Kenway, a Welsh pirate, epitomized freedom with his ability to wield four flintlock pistols and engage with legendary pirates like Blackbeard.
### Assassin’s Creed Rogue – 2014 – PlayStation 3 and – 2018 – PlayStation 4 (Remastered) – Ubisoft
Rogue flipped the script, letting players experience the story from the perspective of Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar, offering a refreshing twist.
The game kept the series’ core elements but brought a unique experience, where Shay battled former allies, leveraging his expertise in projectile weapons.
### Assassin’s Creed Unity – 2014 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
Launching alongside Rogue, Unity introduced the French Revolution to the franchise with a brand new engine for the PS4. It pioneered co-op gameplay for up to four players.
As Arno Dorian, players collaborated in missions, customized weaponry, and engaged in the charged atmosphere of revolutionary Paris.
### Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – 2015 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
The Victorian era beckoned with Syndicate, where players alternated between twin assassins Jacob and Evie Frye. Evie, notably, was the first female lead in a mainline game.
The duo’s task was to liberate London from Templar control using innovations like carriage-based travel and unique ‘kidnapping’ mechanics.
### Assassin’s Creed Origins – 2017 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
Origins took players to Ptolemaic Egypt, exploring the earliest days of the Assassin Brotherhood and Templar Order. Bayek of Siwa, guided by Layla Hassan in the modern day, became our window to the past.
Incorporating RPG elements, Origins introduced deep progression systems, robust crafting, and nuanced combat mechanics.
### Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – 2018 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft
Odyssey brought players into the mythical world of Ancient Greece, following Layla’s story further while letting us control Kassandra or Alexios, descendants of King Leonidas.
The game layered RPG elements with branching narratives, dialogue choices, and reintroduced naval combat alongside thrilling mythological encounters.
### Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – 2020 – PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 – Ubisoft
Set during the Viking invasions, Valhalla placed players in 873 AD, unraveling the climactic chapter of Layla’s modern journey. Eivor, the Viking protagonist, became embroiled in the Assassin-Templar conflict.
Building on prior mechanics, Valhalla broadened life in settlements, offering players the chance to partake in festivities and competitions uniquely Viking in nature.
### Assassin’s Creed Mirage – 2023 – PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 – Ubisoft
Mirage was a return to form, with focused storytelling that highlighted stealth and parkour. In 9th-century Baghdad, Basim Ibn Ishaq, familiar from Valhalla, grew from street thief to Master Assassin.
Looking forward, the Assassin/Templar narrative ventures into 16th-century Japan, letting us navigate the shadows with characters Fujibayashi Naoe and the legendary samurai Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows this March 20.
And as always, remember: “Nothing is true, everything is permitted.”
