The 20 Best 'Assassin's Creed' Games, Ranked

Designed specifically for the Nintendo DS, Assassin's Creed II: Discovery presented a 2D perspective, challenging players with stealth-based gameplay and intricate puzzle-solving mechanics. The game tied directly into the events of Assassin's Creed II, expanding the narrative and offering a unique portable experience.

Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles served as a prequel to the original game, shedding light on Altaïr's earlier exploits. Despite the hardware limitations of the Nintendo 3DS, the game managed to capture the essence of the franchise, providing an enjoyable handheld experience.

Developed exclusively for the PSP, Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines continued Altaïr's story as he biomes the Mentor of the Assassin Order and hunts down the remaining Templars in Cyprus. While offering a scaled-down experience, the game retained the core elements of the franchise, delivering an engaging portable adventure for fans on the go.

Concluding the "Chronicles Trilogy," Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia plunged players into the tumultuous era of early 20th-century Russia, amidst the chaos of the October Revolution. Taking on the role of the skilled Assassin Nikolai Orelov, players experienced a gripping journey through a historical chapter seldom explored in gaming. The game's striking visuals and tense atmosphere captured the intensity of the revolutionary period, immersing players in the dramatic events that unfolded. Chronicles: Russia served as a thrilling finale to the side-scrolling series, leaving a lasting impression by shedding light on a pivotal moment in history and showcasing the franchise's commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring uncharted territories.

Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India catapulted players into the world of 19th-century India, placing them in the formidable shoes of Arbaaz Mir, a veteran Assassin. As Arbaaz Mir, players traversed through opulent palaces and bustling city streets, seamlessly blending in with the vivid environment. Chronicles: India delved into the region's rich mythology and colonial conflicts, seamlessly interweaving them into Arbaaz Mir's gripping narrative. With its engaging 2.5D platformer gameplay mechanics, visually stunning presentation, and seamless integration of India's cultural heritage, Chronicles: India serves as a remarkable tribute that beautifully showcases the grandeur and historical richness of the region.

Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China, the opening act of the Chronicles Trilogy, brought players to the visually striking and vibrant setting of 16th-century China. With a focus on precise 2.5D side-scrolling platformer gameplay, players faced challenging environments that demanded careful planning and execution of movements. The storyline follows the journey of Shao Jun, an Assassin seeking revenge against the Templars, unraveling a tale of political intrigue and personal growth.

Created as a standalone expansion to Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Assassin's Creed Freedom Cry took players on an emotional journey with Adéwalé, a former slave turned Assassin. Set in the Caribbean, the game delved into the harrowing subject of slavery, exploring themes of freedom and liberation. Freedom Cry provided a compelling and thought-provoking narrative, shedding light on an often overlooked aspect of history while offering engaging gameplay and expanding the Assassin's Creed universe.

Originally released for the PlayStation Vita, Assassin's Creed Liberation later made its way to consoles and PC, offering players a unique perspective through the eyes of Aveline de Grandpré. Set in the backdrop of the American Revolution, the game explored themes of freedom and slavery. Liberation's engaging story, intricate mission design, and the introduction of the first playable female Assassin made it a notable entry in the series. The main themes of the time period featured in this game award this game a solid spot on any list of the best Assassin's Creed games.

Assassin's Creed Revelations brought Ezio Auditore's story to a satisfying conclusion, taking players to the vibrant city of Constantinople. The game introduced new gameplay mechanics, including the thrilling hook blade, and deepened the lore of the series through revelations about the history of the "Assassin Order." Revelations beautifully tied together the narrative threads of Ezio and original Assassin's Creed protagonist Altaïr, providing a fitting end to their respective arcs while expanding the overarching narrative of the Assassin's Creed universe into its next phase.

In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, players embarked on an epic Viking saga as the Viking Eivor, conquering England and forging their own destiny. The game's massive open world, brimming with Viking lore and stunning landscapes, offered a breathtaking playground for exploration. With its robust RPG mechanics, impactful player choices, and a compelling narrative that explored the clash of cultures, Valhalla delivered an immersive experience for both fans of the franchise and of the Vikings TV series. 

Assassin's Creed III took players on a journey through the American Revolution, introducing a new protagonist, Connor Kenway, as he fought for justice and freedom against the Templars, which include his father, Haytham Kenway, as well as both the British and the American revolutionaries. The game's vast open world, set across both bustling cities and the untamed wilderness of the American colonies, provided a sense of scale rarely seen in the series. While it received mixed reviews at the time of release, Assassin's Creed III delivered a unique historical setting and an engaging narrative that delved into the complex themes of loyalty and identity.

The game that started it all, Assassin's Creed introduced players to the history-spanning conflict between the Assassins and Templars, weaving historical events with a modern-day conspiracy. Despite feeling somewhat dated compared to later entries, the game's innovative parkour mechanics, immersive historical settings, and enigmatic protagonist Altaïr set the foundation for the franchise's later success. By setting the foundation for the series, it's easy to see why this game is held high up on our list of the best Assassin's Creed games.

Assassin's Creed Rogue offered a unique twist on the franchise by allowing players to step into the shoes of Shay, a former Assassin turned Templar who is hunting down his former brother Assassins in the North Atlantic and the American colonies. The game provided a fresh perspective on the ongoing conflict between the Assassins and Templars, with a morally ambiguous narrative that challenged players' allegiances. Rogue built upon the naval gameplay introduced in Black Flag and delivered a compelling story that bridged the gap between the Kenway saga and the events of Assassin's Creed III. It also has ties to Assassin's Creed Unity, as Shay tracks down Assassin Charles Dorian, the father of Arno, the game's protagonist. 

Transporting players to Victorian London, Assassin's Creed Syndicate presented a well-crafted open-world experience with a compelling story and memorable characters. The game's dual protagonists, siblings Jacob and Evie Frye, added a fresh dynamic to the series, each bringing their unique playstyle and personality. Syndicate's refined gameplay, immersive setting, and the opportunity to explore London's underground criminal underworld made it a unique entry in the franchise that took mechanics from Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row and blended them with the classic Assassin's Creed formula.

While initially plagued by technical issues, Assassin's Creed Unity provided a visually stunning and meticulously detailed recreation of Paris during the French Revolution. The game's intricate parkour mechanics and improved combat system elevated the franchise's gameplay to new heights. While the story and protagonist Arno's characterization was lacking, Unity is best remembered for introducing cooperative multiplayer missions. These allowed players to team up with friends and experience the thrill of assassinations together to stop some of the worst horrors of the French Revolution. Thanks to some much-needed upgrades that have brought this game to life, we can't help but place this game high on our list of the best Assassin's Creed games.

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood expanded upon the success of its predecessor, Assassin's Creed II, and introduced a refined multiplayer component and a deeper focus on the Assassin Brotherhood's formation. The seamless blend of intense action, captivating storytelling, and the introduction of strategic multiplayer modes made Brotherhood a standout entry in the series. Brotherhood was the first and only direct sequel in the franchise, giving players the opportunity to once again step into the shoes of the fan-favorite Ezio Auditore as he led his own Brotherhood of Assassins through the bustling streets of Rome.

With Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Ubisoft pushed the boundaries of the franchise, offering players an epic journey through the vast and mythical world of ancient Greece. Following twins Kassandra and Alexios, the grandchildren of King Leonidas of 300 fame, the game's sprawling map, packed with diverse environments and countless quests, provided players with endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. The addition of choice-driven narratives and the ability to shape the fate of both Kassandra and Alexios made Odyssey a standout title, delivering an immersive experience that kept players engaged for hours on end.

Assassin's Creed Origins marked a triumphant return for the series, taking players back to the roots of the Assassins in ancient Egypt during the time of Cleopatra and Julius Ceaser. The game's sprawling open world brought the stunning landscapes and vibrant cities of Egypt to life, while its revamped combat system introduced a fresh and engaging experience. With its meticulously crafted historical setting, captivating storyline, and deep RPG elements, Origins reinvigorated the franchise and set a new standard for subsequent Assassin's Creed games to follow.

Sailing into uncharted waters, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag delivered an exhilarating pirate adventure that breathed new life into the series. Players took on the role of Edward Kenway, an engaging protagonist torn between his pirate aspirations and his newfound affiliation with the Assassin Brotherhood. Black Flag's seamless integration of epic naval battles, exploration, and vibrant Caribbean setting solidified its status as one of the best entries in the franchise.

As the highly acclaimed sequel to the original Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed II introduced players to the charismatic protagonist Ezio Auditore in Renaissance Italy and kicked off the franchise to what it has become today. With its captivating story, improved mechanics, and stunning visuals, AC II set a new benchmark for the series. The game's refined gameplay mechanics, breathtaking visuals, and immersive exploration of cities like Florence and Venice made it a standout entry in the franchise. Without a shadow of a doubt, Assassin's Creed II stands tall at the top of our list of the best Assassin's Creed games.