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The Assassin's Creed series has been taking us on thrilling journeys through history since its inception in 2007. From the vibrant streets of Renaissance Italy to the ancient lands of Greece, Ubisoft's open-world series has masterfully explored a diverse array of settings, offering players a unique, semi-educational experience into historical epochs. This distinctive approach sets the series apart from its peers, which often transport players to fantastical realms or modern urban landscapes.
While the core gameplay of Assassin's Creed has remained consistent across its 14 mainline titles, the series has evolved significantly over the years, introducing new progression systems and ever-expanding worlds.
So, which Assassin's Creed games stand out as the cream of the crop? It's a tough call, but after careful consideration, we've compiled a list of the top 10 mainline entries in the series.
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 marks the poignant conclusion to the stories of Altair Ibn-La-Ahad and Ezio Auditore. Despite some less impactful additions like the Den Defense mode, the game delivers a memorable and exhilarating farewell. From ziplining through Constantinople to collaborating with Leonardo da Vinci, Revelations brims with captivating adventures. It serves as both a celebration of the series' early days and a preview of what's to come, allowing players one last adventure with these iconic characters and bidding farewell to the initial era of Assassin's Creed.
Assassin's Creed Syndicate
Assassin's Creed games are renowned for their immersive settings, and Syndicate's portrayal of 19th-century Victorian London during the Industrial Revolution is exceptionally memorable. The game offers an authentic feel, from sneaking through factories to racing horse-drawn carriages and even confronting Jack the Ripper. The score, composed by Journey's Austin Wintory, adds a unique touch with its string-heavy melodies, and each protagonist, Jacob and Evie Fry, has their own distinct soundtrack. These details contribute to a cohesive world, and it's hard to forget the satisfying combat with a cane, reminiscent of Bloodborne's intensity.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
While Assassin's Creed Valhalla didn't revolutionize the series like Origins, it brought substantial changes. The combat feels weightier and more impactful, traditional side quests have been transformed into world events for more organic exploration, and the overwhelming amount of loot has been streamlined, making rewards feel more valuable. Although Eivor may not be the most beloved protagonist, their story masterfully blends historical fantasy with Norse mythology. Fans of Norse lore are treated to an engaging main campaign and an expansive game-length expansion set in the world of Thor and Odin, making Valhalla akin to a God of War cousin.
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Assassin's Creed Brotherhood continues the saga of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, solidifying him as a fan-favorite protagonist. The game shifts focus from the varied locales of Assassin's Creed 2 to an expanded Rome and its surrounding countryside, building upon the new mechanics introduced in its predecessor, such as swimming, property management, firearms, and recruitable allies. Ezio's journey is filled with charm, wit, and drama, and the updated combat system allows players to embrace their inner aggressive assassin. Brotherhood also introduced multiplayer, enabling players to experience the thrill of the hunt from the perspective of the Templars. Though it may not have pushed the formula as far as its predecessor, it remains cherished by many as one of the best entries in the series.
Assassin's Creed Origins
Origins represents a pivotal moment for the series, transforming it from a stealth-focused action-adventure into a full-fledged open-world RPG. It's not just a milestone; it's also an excellent Assassin's Creed game. The compelling narrative follows Bayek and Aya as they seek justice for their murdered son and eventually found the Assassin's Brotherhood. The exploration of ancient Egypt is breathtaking, and despite later games refining its mechanics, the shift to loot-based progression and a more action-RPG style combat reinvigorated the series for its fans.
Assassin's Creed Unity
Following the swashbuckling adventure of Black Flag, Assassin's Creed Unity returned to the series' original tone. As the first Assassin's Creed game released exclusively on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 (alongside PC), Unity was a graphical marvel with vast crowds populating a near 1:1 scale recreation of Paris. Despite a rocky launch plagued by bugs and glitches, subsequent patches have turned it into a fan favorite. Unity boasts the most fluid and elegant parkour in the series, enabling effective hit-and-run tactics, and its main assassination missions are standout moments. The stunning depiction of Notre Dame alone makes Unity a worthwhile experience.
Assassin's Creed Shadows
Developer: Ubisoft Quebec | Publisher: Ubisoft | Release date: March 20, 2025 | Review: Read IGN's Assassin's Creed Shadows review
Feudal Japan, the most requested setting for an Assassin's Creed game, finally came to fruition in Shadows. Meeting high expectations, the game refocuses on assassinations, emphasizing stealth and infiltration while maintaining a balanced open world and RPG elements. Shadows introduces dual protagonists for the first time since Syndicate: Naoe, with her stealth-based toolkit, and Yasuke, the brutal samurai fighter. Exploring the stunning world of Sengoku Japan, complete with dynamic seasonal changes, is best experienced through both perspectives, offering a rich and immersive gameplay experience.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Assassin's Creed Odyssey expands on Origins' combat and RPG elements, setting them against the vibrant backdrop of Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War. The game's expansive world offers stunning vistas and thrilling naval warfare. The revamped notoriety system and nation struggle mechanics create tense cat-and-mouse chases and large-scale battles, while the main story, though lengthy, remains engaging. With eccentric side quests and a charismatic protagonist (male or female), Odyssey offers a delightful world to explore even after the main story concludes.
Assassin's Creed 2
Assassin's Creed 2 is often credited with perfecting the series' formula. It introduced dynamic assassination missions, increased flexibility in mission approaches, enhanced combat, and improved mobility with swimming. New features like catacomb missions, an upgradeable homebase villa, and innovative weapons from Leonardo da Vinci added depth and kept gameplay fresh. Set in the beautifully rendered Italian Renaissance, the game introduced the iconic Ezio Auditore da Firenze and advanced the present-day story in a compelling way, culminating in an unforgettable ending.
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
Black Flag dared to pivot from traditional assassin protagonists to a pirate-first approach with Edward Kenway, resulting in a refreshing and thrilling adventure. The Caribbean setting offered a vast sandbox filled with islands, treasures, and activities, and the upgrade system made hunting and harpooning enjoyable. Rather than being a mere means to an end, sailing became the highlight, building on Assassin's Creed 3's naval combat. Engaging in ship battles, whether hunting merchant vessels or confronting formidable pirates, was exhilarating. The seamless transition from land to sea, and the freedom to choose between strategic naval tactics or direct boarding action, solidified Black Flag as not only a standout Assassin's Creed game but also one of the best pirate games available.
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And there you have it! These are our top Assassin’s Creed games. If you disagree with the rankings or think another entry should have made the list, let us know your favorite in the comments.
Upcoming Assassin's Creed Games
Curious about what's next in the Assassin's Creed universe? Keep an eye out for several exciting titles. Assassin's Creed Shadows has just been released, allowing you to explore the paths of both a shinobi and samurai in Feudal Japan. Assassin's Creed Jade, set in ancient China, is in development for mobile devices, though a release date remains unconfirmed. Additionally, Assassin's Creed: Codename Hexe promises a mysterious and occult-themed adventure that will bring fresh ideas to the series.
Assassin's Creed: The Complete Playlist
From the series' debut in 2007 to the upcoming console, PC, mobile, and VR projects, here is the comprehensive list of every Assassin's Creed game. Log in to track which ones you've played.
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