Published on: 12/01/2022
Assassin’s Creed Timeline: Every AC Game In Chronological Order
Assassin’s Creed is one of the most popular open-world adventure franchises of all time. The main series can be traced back to 2007, where a failed Prince of Persia concept became so much more. The Assassin’s Creed franchise has generated twelve major titles, covering several important eras throughout history. Through the eyes of the Assassin brotherhood, we’ve seen the Italian Renaissance, the American Revolution, Viking invasions, and sailed the open seas as a pirate captain. In this article, we’re here to break down the entire Assassin’s Creed timeline.
For the purpose of this guide, we’ll lay out the Assassin’s Creed timeline in order of chronology. By doing this, we’ll explore the very origins of the Assassin’s Creed story, bringing it full story to the point closest to our present-day setting.
The Assassin’s Creed Timeline
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (431 BC)
- Connects to Layla Hassan
Launched in 2018, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey takes fans through Ancient Greece, at the height of the Peloponnesian War. This was, at the time, the biggest Assassin’s Creed map to ever be released, giving players the option to explore both land and sea environments.
Assassin’s Creed Origins (49 BC)
- Connects to Layla Hassan
As it’s often considered to be the birth of the Assassin Brotherhood itself, it’s appropriate that this 2017 release was titled ‘Origins’. Set in Ancient Egypt, Origins gives players an insight into one of the oldest and most advanced civilisations to ever walk the Earth.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (872 AD)
- Connects to Layla Hassan
As the newest installation in the franchise, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is also the grandest. This Viking-themed title was an instant hit when it launched in 2020, with fans eagerly exploring the massive, multi-country map. The Assassin’s Creed Valhalla map was the biggest Ubisoft had ever created.
Assassin’s Creed (1191 AD)
- Connects to Desmond Miles
This is where it all began – the 2007 release of Assassin’s Creed. When this game launched on Xbox 360 and PS3, it completely refreshed the face of open-world adventures, setting out a formula that would be successful for years to come. In Assassin’s Creed, the Middle Eastern origins of the Brotherhood are explored, through the eyes of Altair, the greatest Assassin of all time.
Assassin’s Creed II (1476 AD)
- Connects to Desmond Miles
Set in the midst of the beautiful and vibrant Italian Renaissance, Assassin’s Creed II is often considered the best Assassin’s Creed game of all time. It introduced players to Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a character that would come to be permanently adored by fans worldwide. Ezio has had more screentime than any other Assassin in the franchise.
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood (1499 AD)
- Connects to Desmond Miles
Brotherhood is often seen as an expansion to Assassin’s Creed II, but in actual fact, it’s a core, standalone title. Launched in 2010, Brotherhood expands wonderfully on Ezio Auditore’s story, offering players a dramatic second outing for the ‘Italian Stallion’. This title also features one of the biggest twists in the history of the franchise.
Assassin’s Creed Revelations (1511 AD)
- Connects to Desmond Miles
In Revelations, released in 2011, we join Ezio Auditore on his final outing, in his twilight years. He’s older now, and a little slower, but still just as powerful, and set on exploring the depths of 16th century Turkey. In the closing scenes of Revelations, we bear witness to mind-blowingly powerful scenes, understanding once and for all why the Assassins came to be.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (1715 AD)
- Connects to Desmond Miles
Yet another title in the Desmond Miles saga, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag is considered one of the greatest games of all time. It offered players the ability to become the scourge of the Caribbean as a fearless and feared pirate captain turned Assassin. When it launched in 2013, it was to a fantastic reception, and it’s still widely appreciated.
Assassin’s Creed: Rogue (1752 AD)
- Connects to modern-day Templar associates
Rogue was a rather strange, unexpected title, standing as the only title to date where a player controls a Templar character. As the mortal enemy of the Assassin Brotherhood, controlling a Templar offered a completely different spin to the story fans knew and loved. There are multiple tie-ins to previous titles, but bizarrely, Rogue was launched exclusively for the ‘older generation’ of consoles.
Assassin’s Creed III (1754 AD)
- Connects to Desmond Miles
In some ways, this title spells the closure of the Desmond Miles saga. Although, as it was launched in 2012, the 2013 Black Flag release was technically another outing for the Desmond Miles bloodline. However, Assassin’s Creed III is the chronological ending of the Assassin’s Creed timeline for Desmond Miles – and it ends in spectacular fashion.
Assassin’s Creed Unity (1776 AD)
- Connection is effectively unknown
Unity was a bold experiment for Ubisoft, and it was one that almost backfired tremendously. It was the first ‘true next-gen’ adventure in the Assassin’s Creed timeline, boasting advanced AI, a refreshed combat system, cooperative play, and bustling crowds. Launched in 2014, Unity would go on to become a much-loved title, with players exploring the French Revolution, but it wasn’t without its struggles.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (1868 AD)
- Connects to modern-day Assassin associates
The most modern game in the Assassin’s Creed timeline was Syndicate, launched in 2015. This title pitted players against the gangs of Victorian London, offering a dense, urban map that was meticulously and accurately designed by Ubisoft. It was something of a send-off for the Assassin’s Creed we knew and loved, as, after that point, the franchise turned to the more action-RPG-focused gameplay that we all know.
Related: Where Will The Next Assassin’s Creed Game Be Set?
