Assassin’s Creedhas single-handedly revolutionized the action-adventure genre. Combining elements of parkour, stealth combat, and exploration, to provide one of the most cathartic and action-packed series in gaming to date.
However, it’s a series that boasts a laundry list of existing titles, each with its own unique setting, historical stories to tell, and mechanical quirks to get to grips with. Which, naturally means that some end up being better experiences than others.
So, with that in mind, we intend to rank the best AC games of all time, allowing you to play all the killer entries and avoid the filler.
10Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China
Experience 2D China
WhileAssassin’s Creed Shadowsmay be some fan’s introduction toAssassin’s Creedgames set in China when it finally arrives, it may shock you to know that the serieshas already visited China. This 2D side-scroller takes the best mechanics from other titles and packages them into a fun and fast gaming experience.
The title is a great choice for players who love the series butdon’t necessarily want to spend days grinding in an open world.
Unfortunately, this is also the game’s biggest flaw; the world quickly becomes monotonous and tedious to explore. But if you want a pocket-sized AC adventure, this is a super option.
9Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Deadly Arabian Nights
WithAssassin’s Creed Mirage, Ubisoft goes back to the basics, offering an experience that feels like a modern take on the original AC title starring Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad. This does mean a much more conservative and boiled-down experience, but one that is sure to offer a hit of nostalgia for long-time fans.
You take on the role of Basim Ibn Ishaq as he explores four districts of Baghdad, and this game goes back to the series roots, offering an experience that leans into stealth once again after years of more bombastic and action-packed combat being the main focus.
While the titleisn’t as glamorousas some otherAssassin’s Creedgames, it’s still a worthwhile venture and one that will appeal to those who preferred where the series began rather than where it has been taken in more modern iterations.
8Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood
The New Day for the Eternal City
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhoodchanged the face of the franchise forever. It introduced and refined many mechanics, including allies, swimming, firearms, and property management, adding exciting layers of varied gameplay.
Once again, the story follows Ezio Auditore,effectively turning the character into the face of the franchise. He explores the Medieval city of Rome and its surroundings, finding allies in historical figures such as Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolò Machiavelli.
Plus, players were also treated to thefirst-ever multiplayer functionality included in the AC series, with loads of unique maps and eight different game modes, adding infinite replay value to this final chapter in Ezio’s tale.
7Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Steampunk Twins Fight Corruption
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
The story ofAssassin’s Creed Syndicaterevolves around Brits Jacob and Evie Frye. These deadly twins banter throughout the game, taking every chance to make fun of their sibling.
While the main story primarily revolves around Jacob, the players are able toswitch between two assassins during side missions.
The steampunk version of London features vast explorable areas, puzzles with Charles Dickens, and deadly combats with the likes of Jack the Ripper.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Climbing Restrictions May Put Naoe At A Disadvantage
Naoe won’t be able to climb everything in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Although the gloomy British setting is amazing, we placed the entry lower on the list due to its repetitive combat. There were also a fewtechnical issuesthat were hard to overlook.
6Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Pillage Like Norsemen
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
If you compare this title with the originalAssassin’s Creed, you would have a hard time finding similarities.Assassin’s Creed Valhallaprovides an incredibly complex experience featuring different countries and world events (replacing standard side quests).
This title boasts an enormous skill tree,separated into Melee, Ranged, and Stealth subcategories. Together with combat switches, each battle feels unique, especially when compared to previous entries.
Besides exploring the Viking world, the players can also tap into the mythical realms of Norse mythology. During your journey, you’ll gain lots of unique and interesting loot to the point where inventory management becomes a hassle.
The entry has a lot to offernew and old players alike. It allows players to jump right into the cold Nordic fray, and even if this is their firstAssassin’s Creedgame, it’s a good place to start.
Unfortunately, a somewhatdull campaignprevents us from placing it higher on the list.
5Assassin’s Creed
The Assassination Granddaddy
Assassin’s Creed
Many players will frown when they see the originalAssassin’s Creedso high on the list because, in the cold, harsh light of 2024, the title is rather basic regarding combat and exploration.
One of themain criticisms of the original game is its repetitiveness. Most missions focus on eliminating a single target, and you usually have limited methods of doing so.
Nevertheless, as the OG title, we decided to give it due respect. The game didn’t age well, but it set the basis for all the magnificent follow-up titles over the years.
4Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
And a Bottle Of Rum
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flagwas one of the most daring entries in the franchise that took big swings, and the majority of them paid off.
The best thing about this entry isits nautical exploration and combat. You’ll have lots of fun hopping from island to island, seeking elusive hidden pirate treasure.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Complete Guide And Walkthrough
The closest thing you’ll find to Basim’s handbook on How To Be A Good Assassin.
Black Flagalso changed the franchise by introducing an upgrade system. Now, each choice andside quest mattersas it will further buff up your characters.
Overall, this entry is incredibly fun and is arguably the game that cementedAssassin’s Creed’slegacy as a stalwart of the gaming industry. In fact, we’ll go as far as to say this is the best pirate game ever made!
However, the following entries are even better, which is why we couldn’t rank this title any higher.
3Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Become a Greek Geek
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Similar toAssassin’s Creed Syndicate, this game allows you to choose between a male and a female protagonist in Alexios and Kassandra. However, this time around, each has a separate campaign with a distinct feel to it, representing Sparta or Athens.
The first thing worth mentioning isthe game’s enormous, vibrant world. The nature and the architecture of cities are simply marvelous and will make you revisit the title over and over again.
Assassin’s Creed Odysseyborrows lots of mechanics from its predecessor,Origin.There’s a heavy emphasis on RPG elements as well as large-scale combat.
Ride horses, sail ships, and engage in a city-state war during more than60 hours of the campaign. Simply put,Odysseyis one of the jewels of the entire franchise.
2Assassin’s Creed: Origins
How It All Started
Assassin’s Creed Origins
The story ofAssassin’s Creed: Originsrevolves around Bayek and Aya, a couple of mourning parents seeking revenge for their murdered son. The two of them will turn the entirety of Egypt upside down on their path of vengeance, inadvertently forming the Assassin’s Brotherhood as they do.
The entry is significantly different from its predecessors. Instead of sneaking in the shadows, you’llenjoy an open-world RPG experiencewith numerous choices on your hands.
InAssassin’s Creed: Origins, you must rely on dodge and quick reflexes to survive deadly foes. The fights are much more engaging, forcing you to alternate between light and heavy strikes and find the ideal combat approach for your character.
Despitesome issues on the project,Origin’sincredible vistas, well-designed tombs with rewarding loot, and engaging combat are all excellent reasons to give the entry a shot.
1Assassin’s Creed II
The Ultimate Assassin Epic
Assassin’s Creed 2
Assassin’s Creed IIbuilds on the strong foundations of the first game, offering more refined systems, and welcome additions to make the gameplay feel more dynamic and varied.
The story follows Ezio Auditore da Firenze literally from his birth; guiding your chubby baby as it becomes one of the world’s most notorious killers.
If you’re a fan of Italy, you’ll have a blast visiting the Renaissance cities of Venice, Florence, San Gimignano, Forli, and Monteriggioni. The attention to detail in some of these locations is stunning, setting a high bar for all futureAssassin’s Creediterations.
The combat is also much more rewarding,giving you various options for execution and hiding. Not to mention, you also have the option to swim this time around, but this isn’t recommended, given the cleanliness of contemporary canals.
If you missed this game, we recommend you go back and give it a shot, and learn howAssassin’s Creedinfluenced developers around the globe andchanged the face of gaming forever.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Official Gameplay Overview Trailer
Go behind the scenes and take a look at what went into the creation of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
