Dexerto / UbisoftIt’s no secret that Assassin’s Creed is a massive series filled with amazing games, but not all its entries have been a huge success.
Now, Assassin’s Creed isn’t like Call of Duty, Halo, or other big franchises. Instead of releasing yearly or hardly ever at all (where are you, Halo: A New Dawn?), AC chooses to release on its own schedule, though the first few were every year (we were eating good back then). Now, we’re seeing a new game every few years.
It would be understandable to assume that, given the slower releases, the more modern games like Valhalla or Mirage would be better than the yearly older ones. In some instances, you’d be correct, but in others, nothing will manage to topple some of the best Assassin’s Creed games.
14. Assassin’s Creed
Ubisoft - Release date: November 13, 2007
- Platforms: PS3, Xbox One, PC
- Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
- Setting: The Holy Land (modern-day Israel), 1191
Granted, it was the first game in a classic series, the original Assassin’s Creed hasn’t aged nearly as well as any other game on this list. Sure, the story may have allowed us to explore the Holy Lands, and the parkour is what ultimately defined the franchise, but other than that, it was just boring. Quests were repetitive, assassinations didn’t have that flair we see in the modern day, and its storyline, aside from the setting and lore, left something to be desired.
It was also where we got our first taste of the classic Assassin’s Creed jank. So, it was a franchise-defining moment, just not for the best of reasons.
13. Assassin’s Creed 3
Ubisoft - Release date: 30 October 2012
- Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, Switch, PC
- Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
- Setting: Colonial America, 1760-1783
After spending three games with the lovable rogue that was Ezio, Assassin’s Creed decided to scrap him and go for Connor Kenway instead. Naturally, that didn’t go down particularly well, especially since Kenway was such a bore.
Now, to give 3 its dues, the game has great combat, and the American Revolution setting was enjoyable, alongside the exploration. In fact, a lot of the features that took place inside the Animus were great.
It’s just that when you were forced to come out of the Animus over and over again, it completely destroyed the momentum. If this game is the reason we don’t leave the Animus as much anymore, then at least it did one good thing.
12. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Ubisoft - Release date: November 10, 2020
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
- Setting: Norway & the British Isles, 872-878
Everyone loves Vikings, right? After God of War, an Assassin’s Creed game set during this era was bound to be a hit. Unfortunately, that just wasn’t the case. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is by no means a bad game, but it’s just too big for its own good.
Anything Valhalla does, Odyssey does better. Its exploration was fine, but didn’t bring anything new, its (very pretty) open world was just too big, the story was bloated, and its ending was… well, wild. While some adore it, Valhalla just missed the mark in comparison to the rest of the franchise.
11. Assassin’s Creed Origins
Ubisoft - Release date: October 27, 2017
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
- Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
- Setting: Egypt, 49-38 BC
Origins was the first time Assassin’s Creed stopped the annual release of Assassin’s Creed, putting each game through a longer development cycle. And sure, that did help Origin’s case (or it would be a lot further than 11th).
The combat was massively improved, its environment was stunning, and its parkour made the game finally feel like it had mastered what it means to be an assassin. However, where it faltered was its storyline. After you wipe out the man you’re seeking revenge on, you’d be excused for feeling confused as to why you have so much story left. What follows felt tacked on, simply acting under Cleopatra’s design. The gameplay was stellar, but the adventure left much to be desired.
10. Assassin’s Creed Unity
Ubisoft - Release date: November 11, 2014
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
- Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
- Setting: Paris, France, 1789-1794
Unity was a huge wasted opportunity. Its setting was incredible, taking place in the middle of the French Revolution; however, that was often placed by the wayside in favor of the Apples of Eden, which turned out to be the final goal.
Unfortunately, despite any favorable graphics, gameplay, or occasional good storyline, Assassin’s Creed Unity is mostly remembered for its many, often game-breaking or hilarious, glitches. Fortunately, their incredible recreation of Paris was made to be climbed, and it had the best version of parkour the franchise has seen.
9. Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Ubisoft- Release date: October 5, 2023
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, iOS
- Developer: Ubisoft Bordeaux
- Setting: Baghdad, Iraq, 861
After Origins, Valhalla, Odyssey, and really most of the modern additions of Assassin’s Creed, Mirage managed to present a stripped-back, shorter adventure, reminiscent of the AC games of old. Its stealth was prioritized, its shorter storyline was relevant in everything you did, and its map was perfectly condensed. No more exploring the entirety of the UK or Greece.
However, where Origins and Unity built up the stellar combat, Mirage watched it crumble. Impossible stamina bars made forced face-to-face combat a chore and completely eliminated any semblance of an Assassin. It’s still a very solid entry, but that combat still needs to be perfected.
Check out our Assassin’s Creed Mirage review here.
8. Assassin’s Creed Rogue
Ubisoft - Release date: November 11, 2014
- Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Switch, PC
- Developer: Ubisoft Sofia
- Setting: Colonial America & Canada, 1752-1760
Assassin’s Creed Rogue was released around the same time as Unity, but for the PS3 and Xbox 360. It was intended to give fans who hadn’t yet upgraded to next-gen something to play. It’s since been ported to modern platforms, but the game is often remembered far more fondly than Unity.
Rogue lets you control a former Assassin who’s been recruited by the Templars and now assassinates his former colleagues, giving you a chance to experience the conflict from the other side. This change of perspective helped make that stale story feel fresh again and added some delicious intrigue. As far as gameplay goes, Rogue plays a lot like Black Flag, but lets players sail around the North Atlantic rather than the Caribbean.
It also serves as a sequel to Black Flag, a prequel to AC3, and sets the scene for AC Unity, providing some connecting tissue to all three of those games. Not bad for a title that was accused of being glorified DLC.
7. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Ubisoft - Release date: October 23, 2015
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
- Developer: Ubisoft Quebec
- Setting: London, England, 1868
Now, I may be biased, given Victorian England is a favorite historical era, but Assassin’s Creed Syndicate’s setting was stellar. It had you battling Templars across London, writing any wrongs in factories, and fighting to uncover an artifact with your fellow Assassin sibling.
This was also the first time we got two different protagonists, which allowed for a brawnier brother and sneakier sister to alternate depending on your preference (remind you of Shadows?). Sure, the Assassin’s kill Templars storyline felt a little familiar, but all-in-all, this was a stellar addition to the franchise.
6. Assassin’s Creed Revelations
Ubisoft- Release date: November 15, 2011
- Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Switch, PC
- Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
- Setting: Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), Turkey, 1511-1512
Revelations carried on the beloved Ezio arc in the most spectacular way. It’s easily one of the best examples of a stellar Ubisoft sandbox and what can truly be achieved in the AC world. Each location is unique, every character is brimming with depth, and the mix between Ezio and Altaïr’s gameplay was nothing short of phenomenal.
Where Revelation truly thrives, however, is its narrative. That balance between Ezio finalizing his life’s work while sifting through Altaïr’s secret made it arguably the strongest story in the entire franchise.
Words by Jessica Filby
5. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Ubisoft - Release date: October 5, 2018
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
- Developer: Ubisoft Quebec
- Setting: Greece, 431-422 BC
Odyssey took the template created by AC Origins and expanded on it, this time adding the celebrated naval elements from AC: Black Flag, but without the cannon fire, due to the game being set in ancient Greece. It also used the definitive conflict between Athens and Sparta, which in history would see the former rise as the dominant power.
However, most of the game is set hunting down the sinister precursors to the Templars, and while players can enjoy the refined combat system, AC Odyssey made playing as a stealthy assassin a worthwhile playstyle once again.
Odyssey’s story finally gave players a look behind the curtain at the ancient civilization that sparked the Assassin’s vs. Templar order, and cleverly weaved this into the war between Greek powers. While Origins gave the AC formula a much-needed shakeup, Odyssey took the baton and ran with it. Then sailed even further.
4. Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Ubisoft- Release date: March 20, 2025
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Developer: Ubisoft Quebec
- Setting: Japan, 1579
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the newest release, introducing samurai Yasuke and shinobi Naoe. This time, it took players to the highly anticipated feudal Japan for an Odyssey-inspired adventure where how you play is up to you.
Shadows was fantastic, it’s easily the most visually impressive game in the franchise and is very slightly let down by the classic AC Jank many have come to know from these games. Its story can get a little complicated, but it’s touching, expertly produced, and perfectly sprinkles in the Ancient, Assassins, and Templars features we see in all that came before it.
Check out our Assassin’s Creed Shadows review here.
Words by Jessica Filby
3. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
Ubisoft - Release date: October 19, 2013
- Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, Switch, PC
- Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
- Setting: West Indies, 1715-1722
Black Flag was another giant leap forward for the franchise. Taking the awesome naval battles from Assassin’s Creed 3 and building a whole game around it, it’s still the best pirate game ever made.
Edward is a pirate first and foremost, which means you’re not going to be doing as much stealthy stabbing as you’d come to expect, and when you do, it doesn’t reach Ezio’s highs.
However, it more than makes up for it by giving you free rein to hoist the colors and plunder the gorgeous open world to your heart’s content, so there’s never a dull moment between the banger sea shanties.
It could easily be considered the best game on this list, but is it the best Assassin’s Creed game? Not quite.
Words by Liam Mackay
2. Assassin’s Creed 2
Ubisoft - Release date: November 17, 2009
- Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Switch, PC
- Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
- Setting: Italy, 1476-1499
Assassin’s Creed 2 took everything good about the first game and made it great: a charismatic protagonist, wider mission variety, better parkour and combat, and a more captivating story.
Set in a fully realized Renaissance Italy, we explore Ezio Auditore da Firenze’s journey from brash young nobleman to master Assassin. He’s now one of the most iconic video game characters of all time, and it’s all because of his journey in this game.
With an iconic historical setting, expanded lore, an engaging modern-day storyline, and a near-perfect balance of parkour, combat, and stealth, it’s the quintessential Assassin’s Creed experience.
Words by Liam Mackay
1. Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood
Ubisoft- Release date: November 16, 2010
- Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Switch, PC,
- Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
- Setting: Rome, Italy, 1500-1507
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood was Ezio at his peak. This was the moment in which the superb storyline married perfectly with some of the best mechanics we’ve seen in any AC game. Brotherhood managed to expertly polish its open world, revealing a Rome that would make anyone want to visit, though maybe not with all the Assassins.
Sure, its story is a little forgettable on occasion, but that can be forgiven when you consider the added ability to recruit allies, epic final scenes, perfected gameplay, and parkour that sets the standard for everything that came after.
Brotherhood took what made its predecessor so great and refined it, somehow being even better than AC2, and that makes it the best Assassin’s Creed game and one of the best games of all time.
Words by Jessica Filby
So, those are all the Assassin’s Creed games ranked. While loading up your favorite game, be sure to check out all the mainline games in chronological order, as well as all the biggest games still to look forward to this year.
