Assassin’s Creed games have a special place in our gaming stories. Fans are obsessed over the first few titles – playing a stealthy assassin who parkours through rooftops and becomes a part of a silent brotherhood. Everything about the series built its legacy on mystery and history.
The franchise has evolved over time, witnessing an array of changes in narrative structuring, gameplay elements, and subgenres that were liked by many but disliked by hardcore fans. Yes, we’re putting those RPG mechanics under the spotlight here. Regardless, given the number of Assassin’s Creed games, we’re ranking the series’ best major titles, focusing on games like Assassin’s Creed and Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla.
Spoiler alert: Some of the write-ups might spoil the game’s setting and the protagonist’s motivation.
10. Assassin’s Creed – Mirage (2023)
The most recent entry in the Assassin’s Creed series just about makes it to the top 10. The game was earlier planned to be a DLC; to further explore the role and character of Basim Ibn Ishaq; who appeared as a side but important character in AC Valhalla. After the ‘RPG Trilogy’ of Origins / Odyssey and Valhalla; the game was pitched as a return back to the lean stealth, parkour and assassination based gameplay that the early games in the AC franchise were known for.
While the game did all of that, and the setting of 9th century Baghdad in the Golden Age of Islam was recreated brilliantly; the bland story line and an uninteresting set of characters held the game back from being moved higher up the list of the best Assassin’s Creed games of all time.
9. Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014)
The French Revolution took a twist of fate in AC Unity’s pointless pursuit of absurd quests that told you stories from a long-gone civilization; it wasted much of the game’s beautiful backdrop and potential. When it came to The Terror and key historical events, players were left confused as to which side the Assassins or Templars were even on.
Most of Assassin’s Creed Unity’s flaws, many of which were amusing or game-breaking, are what people remember it for. Unfortunately, this shouldn’t have been the case as AC Unity looked gorgeous on PS4, Xbox One, and PC when everything was functioning correctly. While AC4 Black Flag was also released for that generation, Unity was specifically designed for the hardware. However, other than the game’s superficial elegance, the title lacked depth and focus.
8. Assassin’s Creed 3 (2012)
The familial drama involving Connor and his father Haythem was particularly well-written in the game’s gripping tale, set during the American Revolution as the Assassins and Templars chose their sides. It was insightful for the story to introduce us to a likable opponent for the first time, because Haythem was, in many respects, more endearing than Connor. Having a character that was half-Native American and had such a solid bond to the territory being fought for was an excellent decision.
However, Assassin’s Creed 3 struggled with its modern-day narrative and gameplay mechanics. These grew increasingly absurd and slowed down the action, and the series’ energy was killed at the conclusion. This required Ubisoft to carefully consider the AC’s future and the idea for the following installment. Thank goodness they got it right!
7. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015)
We often come across games that seem alright but could have done with more finesse. While Assassin’s Creed Syndicate has nothing particularly wrong with it, it doesn’t stand out and is a bland installment in the long-running franchise. Although it initially had some bugs, Ubisoft mostly fixed the issues that plagued Unity, and it might be exciting to explore Victorian London while using tools that allow us to zip up buildings quickly.
Another innovative concept was playing as a brother and sister team who overtook London’s shady underground while assassinating prominent Templars. As is customary in Assassin’s Creed games, the landscape was delightful to explore, but the faction fighting bogged down the story. The narrative had the same familiar feel as previous examples.
6. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020)
There’s no denying that games with great Vikings and badass weirds are, generally speaking, always cool. An Assassin’s Creed game set in this period was destined to be successful after God of War and the renewed cultural admiration for all things Nordic. And while Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is excellent for the most part, it falls short of many other contenders in quality.
Similar to Black Flag and Origins, sailing across the seas in hopes of loot and exploration stays consistently strong with Valhalla. Still, there’s an overarching hint of fatigue while playing Valhalla, similar to Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. Although we enjoyed the environment, the game felt overly similar to AC Odyssey, which performed many of the same tasks better.
5. Assassin’s Creed Rogue (2014)
Rogue was made to provide a glimpse of nostalgia and familiar storytelling for AC lovers who still needed to move to the next gen. Despite being updated for modern platforms, the game is still far more cherished than AC Unity.
Rogue allows players to see the fight from the perspective of a former Assassin who has been taken on by the Templars and is now assassinating his old allies. This shift in viewpoint gave the tired tale a new sense of life and added some compelling suspense. Rogue is very similar to AC: Black Flag in terms of gameplay; however, it allows players to travel the North Atlantic rather than the Caribbean.
The game also acts as a prologue to AC3, a sequel to Black Flag, and a setting for AC Unity, a connecting thread between all three games.
4. Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017)
After AC Syndicate, Assassin’s Creed Origins was precisely what the series required. To give each game a longer production cycle, Ubisoft decided to discontinue releasing Assassin’s Creed on an annual (or occasionally double) basis. The outcomes were appreciated because AC Origins breathed fresh air into the franchise.
The game significantly improved the fighting, environments, parkour, and almost every other franchise feature. Additionally, Origins included some outstanding RPG components and occasionally had a Witcher-like feel as opposed to an AC one. The Ptolemaic Wars took place in ancient Egypt, and unlike past editions, this game made the most of its location in terms of gameplay and plot.
Origins puts you in the shoes of a Maji during Cleopatra’s reign, facing the Roman occupation. Additionally, the game downplayed the now-boring modern-day elements. It even made the Templars-against-Assassins plot fascinating by inventing the mysterious Hidden Ones and their sinister objectives.
3. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018)
Odyssey built on the foundation established by AC Origins, adding the renowned naval features from AC: Black Flag. Additionally, it took advantage of the pivotal struggle between Athens and Sparta, which resulted in the ascent of Athens as the preeminent force in history.
Most of the game is focused on tracking down the evil leaders of the Templars. While players can appreciate the sophisticated combat system, AC Odyssey restored the value of playing as a covert assassin.
Odyssey’s plot deftly incorporated this into the conflict between Greek kingdoms. It gave players a behind-the-scenes peek at the ancient society that gave rise to the Assassins vs. Templar order. Odyssey picked up the slack after Origins gave the AC formula a much-needed shakeup.
2. Assassin’s Creed 2 (2009)
The most adored game in the series, Assassin’s Creed 2 played to the franchise’s strengths and gave players everything they loved about the first game.
Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a young nobleman, is featured in AC2 as he becomes involved in the conflict between the Assassins and Templars. The stories are set in Renaissance-era Italy, primarily in Venice, Florence, and Rome. At first, Ezio is a carefree young man, but tragedy draws him into a conflict beyond his comprehension.
Since then, AC has found it difficult to match Ezio’s popularity because the character is enjoyable and lovable. It is, without a doubt, the best AC story ever told. You get to watch Ezio progress from a young recruit to the Grand Master of the Assassin order throughout his life.
However, the fact that AC2 kept all the promises AC1 broke is what sets it apart from its predecessor. It came close to being the finest Assassin’s Creed game ever, but another title ultimately took the top spot.
1. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag (2013)
Traveling throughout the Caribbean by sea can be a game on its own, except Assassin’s Creed made the best of this aspect and added fascinating lore and character development.
Pirate Edward Kenway, our adventurous protagonist, spends most of his time at sea away from ordinary life. Ultimately, he runs into the absurd Assassins vs Templar saga, and AC4 allows players to experience the best of it.
The best elements of Assassin’s Creed are combined with so much more in AC4, and gamers are then free to enjoy the world they have made. You won’t mind when it’s time to get severe and kill some Templars, because you’ve already pillaged the entire Caribbean and have established yourself as the most feared pirate to have ever sailed across deadly oceans.
Do you think a different AC instalment deserves the top spot in this list? Tell us in the comments below! And if you are looking for the next big game to keep a watch for in 2024, you may want to look at our 2024 video games release calendar
