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Assassin's Creed: How to play the hit video game franchise in release and chronological order

Want to get started on the Assassin’s Creed video game series? Here’s how to do it!

How much do you really know about your ancestors? 

Step into a world where history and fiction intertwine in the thrilling saga of Assassin's Creed. Ubisoft’s iconic franchise invites players to explore the shadowy realms of ancient civilizations, unravel complex narratives, and engage in epic battles between the Assassins and Templars, all while traversing breathtaking landscapes that span centuries.

Are you ready to get started on the Assassin’s Creed saga? If you aren’t sure where to start, don’t worry, Popverse is here to help. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about how to play the game series in release and chronological order. 

How to play Assassin's Creed in release order

Are you ready to play Assassin’s Creed? I hope your controller is charged up, because depending on how you count it, there are 39 games in the series. You don’t HAVE to play them all, but if you wanted to, here’s how to do it in release order. 

Please note, some games like Assassin’s Creed II have been released in multiple forms over different platforms. In cases like that, we consider these ports of existing games rather than a new game. 

 

How to play Assassin’s Creed in chronological order

One of the great things about Assassin’s Creed is the vast timeline. The franchise’s narrative spans centuries, from Ancient Greece to the 20th century. If you want to play through Assassin’s Creed in timeline order, just follow this list.

Please note, some mobile games such as Assassin’s Creed: Freerunners aren’t included because they are less story based and don’t really have a place in the timeline or larger canon. 

  • 431 BC - 421 BC: Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey (2018), Assassin’s Creed: The Temple of Anubis (2018) and Beyond Medusa’s Gate (2019)
  • 215 BC: Assassin’s Creed: Jade (2025)
  • 49 BC - 44 BC: Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017)
  • 861: Assassin’s Creed: Mirage (2023)
  • 872-878: Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla (2020)
  • 1185-1699: Assassin’s Creed Shadows (2024)
  • 1190: Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles (2008)
  • 1191: Assassin’s Creed (2007) and Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines (2009)
  • 1476-1499: Assassin’s Creed II (2009) and Assassin's Creed II: Multiplayer (2010)
  • 1491: Assassin’s Creed II: Discovery (2009)
  • 1492: Assassin’s Creed: The VR Experience (2016)
  • 1499-1507: Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010)
  • 1501-1506: Assassin’s Creed: Identity (2016)
  • 1509: Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR (2023)
  • 1509-1510: Assassin’s Creed: Project Legacy (2010)
  • 1511-1512: Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011)
  • 1526-1532: Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China (2015)
  • 1600-1700: Assassin’s Creed: Codename Hexe (TBA)
  • 1650-1730: Assassin’s Creed: Pirates (2013)
  • 1715-1722: Assassin’s  Creed IV: Black Flag (2013)
  • 1735-1737: Assassin’s Creed: Freedom Cry (2013)
  • 1752-1760: Assassin’s Creed Rogue (2014)
  • 1754-1783: Assassin’s Creed III (2012)
  • 1765-1777: Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation (2012)
  • 1789-1794: Assassin’s Creed: Unity (2014) and Assassin’s Creed Unity: Amo’s Chronicles (2017)
  • 1841: Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India (2016)
  • 1868: Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015)
  • 1917-1918: Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: Russia (2016)
  • 1928: Escape the Lost Pyramid (2018)

 

When is the next Assassin's Creed game? 

If you’re a fan of Assassin’s Creed, then you’re in luck because Ubisoft has a few new releases to get excited about. Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is the next entry in the series. The game will be released for PC and next gen consoles on November 15. Assassin’s Creed: Shadows will take place in feudal Japan and feature a dual protagonist system. 

The game will launch alongside Animus Hub (formerly known as Assassin’s Creed: Infinity), a game hub for the franchise. In short, it will allow players to launch various games in the series. Think of it like a playable version of this guide. Assassin’s Creed: Codename Hexe is an upcoming game that will be playable with the Animus Hub. The game will be set during the witch trials in the Holy Roman Empire. The release date is currently unknown. 

Assassin’s Creed: Jade is an upcoming mobile game that places players in 215 BC. The game was initially set to be released in 2024, but was pushed to 2025. 

As you can see, there is no shortage of Assassin’s Creed content coming our way. 

 

What consoles do I need to play Assassin’s Creed?

There are 39 Assassin’s Creed games, which begs the question - how many consoles do you need to play them all? 

Thanks to backwards compatibility and digital re-releases, the Xbox One can support all the console games. A good gaming PC will also support all of the console games. Most (if not all) of the games can be played on PlayStation 5 thanks to backwards compatibility. 

The mobile and VR games are trickier. For example, Assassin's Creed: Rebellion is only available for smartphones and tablets. Assassin’s Creed: Project Legacy was only playable on Facebook, but it was discontinued in 2013. As of now there’s no way to play it. 

In other words, things are complicated when it comes to the mobile and VR games, but if you want to play the main series, all you need is one console. That could either be an Xbox One, PlayStation 5, or a good gaming PC. 

Now you know everything you need to begin playing Assassin’s Creed. Remember, there is no greater glory than fighting to find the truth. 


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Joshua Lapin-Bertone

Joshua Lapin-Bertone: Joshua is a pop culture writer specializing in comic book media. His work has appeared on the official DC Comics website, the DC Universe subscription service, HBO Max promotional videos, the Batman Universe fansite, and more. In between traveling around the country to cover various comic conventions, Joshua resides in Florida where he binges superhero television and reads obscure comics from yesteryear.

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