With the recent release of Assassin's Creed Shadows in 2025, the franchise now boasts a staggering 31 entries spanning nearly two decades. For newcomers in 2026, the sheer scale of this historical-stealth-action-RPG-whatever-it-is-now series can be utterly bewildering. Where does one even begin? Do you start with the original 2007 game and risk archaic controls, or jump into the latest open-world epic and miss crucial lore? Fear not, fledgling Assassins and Templars (we don't judge here), for navigating this genetic memory maze is less about finding the "right" path and more about choosing the adventure that suits your fancy.

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At its core, the series weaves two narratives: the historical exploits of legendary figures and a secret, modern-day war fought in the shadows. The throughline for this contemporary conflict is the Animus, a nifty VR machine that lets users relive ancestral memories. If you're the type who needs to understand every cryptic email and mysterious hologram, then playing in release order is your pilgrimage. This path, however, is a marathon, not a sprint. It involves trekking through:

  • The Desmond Saga (2007-2012): Start with Assassin's Creed and follow Desmond Miles as he uncovers his heritage through Altair, Ezio, and Connor. This trilogy (plus its expansions) lays the modern-day foundation.

  • The Abstergo Employee Era (2013-2015): Games like Black Flag and Unity shift to unnamed modern protagonists, with the historical story taking center stage.

  • The Layla Trilogy (2017-2020): Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla introduce RPG mechanics and follow researcher Layla Hassan.

  • The Modern Mix (2020-Present): Titles like Mirage, Nexus VR, and Shadows offer varied experiences, from back-to-basics stealth to full VR immersion.

Playing all mainline games is a commitment of hundreds of hours. Some of the older gameplay mechanics, like the famously janky rooftop guards in Assassin's Creed 1, might feel more like historical artifacts than fun. 😅

🎯 The Character & Gameplay Routes: Pick Your Poison

Most players don't need the full saga. Think of the franchise as a historical buffet—you can just load up your plate with the eras and styles you crave.

For the Classic Purist (The "Everything Was Better with a Hidden Blade" Route):

If you love social stealth, parkour across stunning ancient cities, and a tighter narrative, the Ezio Trilogy is your holy grail. Playing as the charismatic Ezio Auditore from a brash young noble to a wise Mentor is one of gaming's great arcs. This route covers:

  1. Assassin's Creed II (Renaissance Italy) 🏛️

  2. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (Rome)

  3. Assassin's Creed: Revelations (Constantinople)

For the Open-World Viking (The "I Like My Games Big and My Axes Bigger" Route):

Prefer massive worlds, loot-driven progression, and direct combat? The RPG Trilogy is your calling. These are less about subtle assassinations and more about living a power fantasy in breathtaking landscapes.

Game Setting Playstyle Vibe
Assassin's Creed Origins Ptolemaic Egypt The Origin Story. More focused than its sequels.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey Ancient Greece A sprawling epic with dialogue choices and naval combat.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla Viking Age England Raid monasteries, build a settlement, and wield massive weapons.

For the Chronology Nut (The "Time Traveler's" Route):

Want to experience the in-world history in order? This is a fascinating, if chaotic, way to see the secret history unfold. You'll start in Ancient Greece and end in Imperial Russia. Be warned: gameplay quality and style will yo-yo dramatically!

  1. Odyssey (c. 431 BCE)

  2. Origins (c. 49 BCE)

  3. Mirage (9th-century Baghdad)

  4. Valhalla (873 CE)

  5. Assassin's Creed I (1191 CE)

  6. ...and so on, through the Renaissance, Golden Age of Piracy, and Industrial Revolution.

💡 Pro Tips for Your 2026 Assassination Vacation

  • Don't Fear the Skip: The Chronicles side-scrolling games and smaller titles like Liberation are skippable unless you're a completionist.

  • Tech Matters: The older games can look and feel dated. The Ezio Collection offers remastered versions of the classic trilogy.

  • Shadows is a Great New Entry Point: The 2025 release, set in Feudal Japan, is designed as a fresh start with a dual protagonist system (a shinobi and a samurai), making it a perfect modern jumping-on point.

  • The Modern Day... Exists: Its importance waxes and wanes. The Desmond games (1-3) feature it most prominently. If you start with the RPG trilogy, you might just find yourself mashing buttons to get back to the historical action.

Ultimately, there is no "wrong" way to play Assassin's Creed. The franchise has morphed so much that it offers something for almost every type of player. Whether you want to solve conspiracies across millennia, sail the Caribbean singing shanties, or unleash a Spartan kick off the Acropolis, your animus is ready. Just remember the creed: "Nothing is true, everything is permitted"—especially when it comes to your play order. Happy hunting!