Top 10 Assassin's Creed Games Ranked
- By Riley
- Apr 15,2025
The Assassin's Creed series has been captivating players with its historical adventures since its inception in 2007. Ubisoft's innovative approach of blending open-world exploration with rich historical settings has set it apart from other action-adventure games, offering a unique blend of education and entertainment. From the bustling streets of Renaissance Italy to the serene landscapes of Ancient Greece, each game provides a thrilling journey through time.
While the core mechanics of Assassin's Creed have remained consistent across its 14 mainline entries, the series has evolved significantly. Changes in player progression systems and increasingly expansive worlds have kept the franchise fresh and engaging.
Determining the best Assassin's Creed games is no easy task, but after careful consideration, we've compiled a list of the top 10 mainline entries in the series. Here are our picks for the best Assassin's Creed games:
The 10 Best Assassin's Creed Games
11 Images
Playing the latest game in the series? Check out our Assassin's Creed Shadows guide.
Assassin's Creed: Revelations
Assassin's Creed: Revelations masterfully concludes the stories of Altair Ibn-La-Ahad and Ezio Auditore. Despite some less impactful additions like the Den Defense mode, the game delivers a thrilling and memorable farewell. From ziplining across Constantinople to encounters with Leonardo Da Vinci, Revelations is packed with fascinating adventures. It serves as both a celebration of the series' past and a hint at its future, allowing players to bid farewell to the first era of Assassin's Creed.
Assassin's Creed Syndicate
Assassin's Creed games are renowned for their immersive settings, and Syndicate's 19th-century Victorian London during the Industrial Revolution is a standout. The game's atmosphere is enhanced by sneaking through factories, racing horse-drawn carriages, and even confronting Jack the Ripper. The unique string-heavy score by Journey composer Austin Wintory adds to the game's distinctiveness, with separate soundtracks for protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye. Additionally, the effective use of a cane as a weapon is a nod to the elegance of games like Bloodborne.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
While Assassin's Creed Valhalla doesn't reinvent the series as radically as Origins, it introduces significant enhancements. The combat feels weightier and more impactful, and the shift from traditional side quests to world events makes exploration more engaging. The game also streamlines the overwhelming loot system, making rewards feel more valuable. Eivor's story, set against a backdrop of Norse mythology, is compelling and offers one of the series' best integrations of historical fantasy and myth. The extensive expansion delving into the world of Thor and Odin further enriches the experience, making Valhalla a standout entry.
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood continues Ezio Auditore's journey, cementing him as a beloved protagonist. The game focuses on an expanded version of Rome and introduces new mechanics such as swimming, property management, firearms, and recruitable allies. The charm, wit, and drama of Ezio's story, combined with updated combat, allow players to embrace the role of an aggressive assassin. Brotherhood also introduced multiplayer, offering a fresh perspective as Templars, and remains a cherished part of the series.
Assassin's Creed Origins
Assassin's Creed Origins marked a pivotal shift for the series, transitioning from a stealth-focused action-adventure to a full-fledged open-world RPG. Beyond its historical significance, Origins is a compelling game in its own right. The story of Bayek and Aya, driven by their quest for justice and the founding of the Assassin's Brotherhood, is deeply engaging. The vast world of ancient Egypt is a joy to explore, and the introduction of loot-based progression and RPG-style combat reinvigorated the franchise.
Assassin's Creed Unity
Assassin's Creed Unity returned to the series' roots with a focus on stealth and assassinations, launching exclusively on next-gen consoles and PC. Despite a challenging initial release marred by bugs and glitches, Unity has since been polished into a fan favorite. The game's enhanced parkour system offers fluid and elegant movement, and its main assassination missions are among the series' best, providing multiple approaches to targets. The stunning recreation of Paris, including the iconic Notre Dame, adds to its allure.
Assassin's Creed Shadows
Developer: Ubisoft Quebec | Publisher: Ubisoft | Release date: March 20, 2025 | Review: Read IGN's Assassin's Creed Shadows review
Assassin's Creed Shadows fulfills the long-standing desire for a game set in Feudal Japan during the Sengoku period. It refocuses on stealth and assassinations, offering a more balanced open-world experience compared to its predecessors. The dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, provide distinct playstyles—stealth and combat, respectively. Naoe's grappling hook and climbing abilities allow for immersive exploration of the beautifully crafted world, which dynamically changes with the seasons.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Assassin's Creed Odyssey builds on Origins' RPG foundation, setting it against the backdrop of Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War. The game's expansive world offers stunning vistas and engaging naval warfare. The revamped notoriety system and nation struggle mechanics add tension and excitement, while the compelling story and charismatic protagonist (playable as male or female) keep players invested. Odyssey's world is rich with content, making it a joy to explore long after the main story concludes.
Assassin's Creed 2
Assassin's Creed 2 is often credited with refining the series' formula. It introduced dynamic assassination missions, enhanced combat, and the ability to swim, among other improvements. The catacomb missions and the upgradeable villa added depth to the gameplay, while Leonardo da Vinci's inventions kept things fresh. Set in the Italian Renaissance, the game introduced the iconic protagonist Ezio Auditore da Firenze and meaningfully connected the historical narrative with the present-day story, culminating in an unforgettable ending.
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag stands out by focusing on its pirate protagonist, Edward Kenway, before his assassin role. The game transforms the Caribbean into a sandbox playground filled with islands to explore and treasures to find. Its naval combat, building on Assassin's Creed 3's framework, becomes the highlight, allowing players to engage in thrilling ship battles or board enemy vessels. Black Flag not only ranks among the best Assassin's Creed games but also stands as one of the greatest pirate games ever made.
### Every Assassin's Creed Game Tier ListEvery Assassin's Creed Game Tier List
You may also like: The Best Games Like Assassin's Creed.
There you have it! These are our top Assassin's Creed games. Do you agree with the rankings, or do you think another entry should have made the list? Share your favorite Assassin's Creed game in the comments.
Upcoming Assassin's Creed Games
For those eager to know what's next, keep an eye on Assassin's Creed Shadows, which has just been released and lets you explore Feudal Japan as both a shinobi and a samurai. Assassin's Creed Jade, set in ancient China, is also in development for mobile devices, though its release date remains unconfirmed. Additionally, Assassin's Creed: Codename Hexe promises a mysterious and occult-themed adventure that will bring fresh ideas to the series.
Assassin's Creed: The Complete Playlist
From the 2007 debut to upcoming titles across consoles, PC, mobile, and VR, here's the entire Assassin's Creed series in one comprehensive list. Log in to track which games you've played.
See All
