If you’ve been around gaming for very long, then you’ve either heard of or played the Assassin’s Creed games over the years. The first game was released by back in 2007 and has been one of the largest franchises in gaming history, created by Ubisoft.
When the first game came out, it was something unique and extremely different. It was filled with blood, gore, and even historical characters. From 2007 to now, there have been 11 different releases of this game.
In this article, we’ll take a look at each of the 11 releases in chronological order and include a short summary of each one.
1). Assassin’s Creed – Release Date: November 13, 2007
This was the first installment of the series and was made for single players. The adventure takes you to the Holy Land. In the story, you are the character Desmond Miles.
Through him and the use of a machine called the Animus, you go back in time to one of Miles’ ancestors, named Atair ibn La’Ahad. He needs to complete a series of missions in stealth. As you play the character, you guide him as he explores the Middle East.
Players enjoyed the game but did complain that it was too repetitious. Even so, the game creators were able to use this game to launch a successful series. The game was nominated for and won several awards for E3 2006.
2). Assassin’s Creed II – Release Date: November 17, 2009
This game followed directly after the first. In this game, Desmond is training to be an assassin in modern times with the help of another ancestor. This is where the Animus helps Desmond get in touch with Ezio.
His story takes place during the 15th century Renaissance Italy. It’s during his quest for revenge that Ezio meets Leonardo de Vinci, who becomes one of his allies.
This was a widely popular game in the series, which included some major improvements to the gameplay.
3). Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood – Release Date: November 16, 2010
This game continues the story of Enzio and stays pretty much in the stream set up by the second game. The Brotherhood builds on that story, while allowing players to recruit people as assassins, whom they can call on for help in combat, and more.
The game also included some minor changes to the combat, which made movement more fluid. This was also the first game to include competitive multiplayer mode.
4). Assassin’s Creed: Revelations – Release Date: November 15, 2011
This game is also a sequel to the third game, which is the last part of Ezio’s story. The story also leaves Italy behind for the Ottoman Empire, in Istanbul. Otherwise, there are no major changes in the game.
The only major change was the hookblade, which could be used for ziplining around the city. In addition, there were some new assassination opportunities included, along with a tower defense, which was a minigame.
This was game wasn’t as exciting for players, but it did nicely close Ezio’s story.
5). Assassin’s Creed III – Release Date: October 30, 2012
This was the fifth addition to the story, and is set in 18th century America, during the American Revolution. In this game, a new character was created named Ratonhnkaketon, who was also called Connor. Connor is the father of the Grand Master of the Templar Order in the American colonies.
Here in the story, the Templars scheme to take over the colonies, and the game leads you through Connor’s life as a result.
This game included weather changes, hunting animals, naval exploration, and new weapons.
6). Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – Released October 29, 2013
This game is also set in the American colonies but takes place a few decades before the events in Assassin’s Creed III. Here, the player becomes the character Edward Kenway, who was a grandfather of the previous game’s main character.
Here, you’ll find a pirate theme and a lot of emphasis put on naval exploration. The ship is upgradeable, and there’s the ability to build up the assassin’s brotherhood. The game also includes improved naval combat.
7). Assassin’s Creed: Rogue – Release Date: November 11, 2014
This is the last game set in Colonial times and is considered not to be one of the stellar games in this series. A new character was added—Shay Patrick Cormac. He’s in training with the North Atlantic Chapter of the Templars, and meets another assassin named Adewale.
In this game, the player doesn’t assume the assassin’s character, but that of the Templar—Cormac. Not much else was changed or added in the game, other than naval exploration in an Arctic location.
8). Assassin’s Creed Unity – Release Date: November 11, 2014
In game heads back to Europe, where players assume the character of Arno Dorian, who is an assassin operating in Paris during the French Revolution. He travels to Paris to reveal the truth. The storyline includes a love story and family tragedies.
In this game, you’ll find more emphasis on RPG elements, which allowed further customization of the character, as well as their playstyle. Some improvements included weapons, skills, scaling and the addition of side quests.
9). Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate – Release Date: October 23, 2015
This game installment takes you from Paris to Victorian London. And it’s the first game to include multiple characters including the Frye Twins. The story switches from these characters’ perspective throughout this game.
This installment brought new methods of travel including carriages, trains, and rope launchers. And players can freely roam around this world environment, where they weren’t able to so in previous installments of the game.
10). Assassin’s Creed: Origins – Release Date: October 27, 2017
This game takes you back to Ptolemaic Egypt, rather than moving into a more modern era. This is the year 49 BCE, where you meet Bayek, who figures out the origin of the Assassin & Templar conflict. Through the story, Bayek ends up becoming one of the first assassins.
In this game, one of the biggest upgrades was the combat. For instance, players fight multiple enemies at the same time, which eventually changes over to a boss battle.
11). Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey – Release Date: October 5, 2018
This game starts with the battle of Thermopylae, which took place between the Persians and the Spartans. In this story, the main character is Alexios or Kassandra of ancient Greece. The goal is to restore peace.
In this installment of the series, the story is more interactive. Characters/players must make very difficult decisions that can lead to several different endings.
This game also has plenty of spin-offs, which are too many to mention here. Needless to say, this continues to be a very popular game with players around the world.