A Look Back at the Assassin’s Creed Series – PlayStation.Blog

Back in 2007, Assassin’s Creed burst onto the scene like a hidden blade, blending history with science fiction and parkour-infused action. It seized the attention of players worldwide, resulting in a series filled with intricate lore and unforgettable characters. This franchise has expanded far beyond just video games, branching into comic books and even a Hollywood film.

With the upcoming launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the PlayStation 5 this March 20, it’s a great time to explore the main storyline that spans 13 core titles of the series.

### Assassin’s Creed – 2007 – PlayStation 3 – Ubisoft

The series made its debut by introducing players to the world of 12th-century assassin Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad. This sandbox action-stealth game was unique, unveiling the Animus—a device that allows people to experience their ancestors’ genetic memories. Players navigated a gripping tale that unfolded across the timelines of Altaïr during the Third Crusade and his modern-day descendant, Desmond Miles.

Assassin’s Creed set a high bar, inspiring countless games that followed. Its legacy truly began to shine with its even more celebrated sequel.

On PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, you can relive the journey with Assassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection, featuring three titles.

### Assassin’s Creed II – 2009 – PlayStation 3 and 2016 – PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft

Continuing Desmond’s adventures, the sequel took a surprising turn, moving away from Altaïr to transport players into the Italian Renaissance. Here, Ezio Auditore da Firenze emerged as the new face, leading a tale of vengeance interwoven with historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli. Desmond’s role expanded as he became deeper entwined with the Assassin Brotherhood.

If the first game shaped the series’ iconic style, Assassin’s Creed II refined it further, establishing Ezio as a beloved character.

### Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood – 2010 – PlayStation 3 and 2016 – PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft

Picking up right after its predecessor, Brotherhood saw Ezio as he expanded the Assassin Brotherhood across Rome. It retained the notoriety system from the previous game and added new gadgets and abilities—like on-horse assassinations, heavy weapon throws, and using a crossbow or poison darts. Players could also summon apprentice assassins to assist with missions.

This installment was particularly notable for introducing multiplayer, letting players stealthily hunt friends before blending effortlessly into the crowd.

### Assassin’s Creed Revelations – 2011 – PlayStation 3 and 2016 – PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) – Ubisoft

Bringing the Ezio trilogy to a close, Revelations took an older Ezio to Constantinople. He sought five keys that could unlock Altaïr’s secret library, potentially ending the war between Templars and Assassins. Meanwhile, Desmond, comatose, needed to synchronize fully with Ezio and Altaïr to save his mind.

New to Revelations were zip lines and the Hookblade, enhancing mobility and combat, alongside dynamic encounters with random events and NPC stalkers.

### Assassin’s Creed III – 2012 – PlayStation 3 and 2019 – PlayStation 4 (Remastered) – Ubisoft

Assassin’s Creed III moved the action to North America, focusing on Desmond’s mission to avert a global disaster. Exploring the life of 18th-century Templar Haytham Kenway and his son, the assassin Connor, it featured vast open environments, dual-wield combat, and naval battles. Hunting and weather effects added layers of realism, making it a revolutionary entry for the series.

### Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – 2013 – PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft

Embracing the spirit of adventure, Black Flag expanded on naval exploration. Set during the Golden Age of Piracy, players lived out the pirate life with Edward Kenway across land and sea. The game’s broad battles, treasure hunts, and undersea expeditions provided a sense of unmatched freedom, with iconic pirates like Blackbeard joining the fray.

### Assassin’s Creed Rogue – 2014 – PlayStation 3 and 2018 – PlayStation 4 (Remastered) – Ubisoft

Rogue flipped the narrative by placing players in the boots of Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin who turns Templar. Despite retaining elements like naval combat and open-world exploration, the game offered a fresh perspective filled with internal conflicts and challenges against fellow Assassins.

### Assassin’s Creed Unity – 2014 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft

Launching alongside Rogue, Unity transitioned the franchise to PS4 with a new game engine. Set amid the turmoil of the French Revolution, Unity introduced cooperative gameplay for up to four players. More personalized gear and weapon customization allowed players to shape their experience as they took on the mantle of Assassin Arno Dorian.

### Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – 2015 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft

Syndicate took players to 19th-century London with twin protagonists, Jacob and Evie Frye, marking the first mainline game with a playable female Assassin. The game’s additions included transport via carriages, and mechanics like ‘kidnapping,’ where players could capture enemies to remain incognito.

### Assassin’s Creed Origins – 2017 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft

In a shift back to ancient times, Origins explored Ptolemaic Egypt, detailing the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order. Featuring more RPG elements, the game introduced intricate crafting, complex combat, and even brutal finishing moves, with Bayek of Siwa as the main character.

### Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – 2018 – PlayStation 4 – Ubisoft

Building on Origins, Odyssey complemented its historical richness with mythological elements from Ancient Greece. Playing as either Kassandra or Alexios, descendants of Leonidas, players navigated the Peloponnesian War. The game offered dialogue choices, multiple endings, and encounters with legendary creatures like the Sphinx.

### Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – 2020 – PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 – Ubisoft

Valhalla plunged players into the Viking invasions of 873 AD, alongside the final chapter of Layla’s contemporary saga. Protagonist Eivor, male or female, delved into the ongoing Assassin/Templar conflict. The game brought back settlement mechanics, drinking contests, and “flyting” competitions—offering a rich blend of culture and confrontation.

### Assassin’s Creed Mirage – 2023 – PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 – Ubisoft

Mirage revisited the foundation, focusing on a structured story, stealth, and parkour. Players return to 9th-century Baghdad with Basim Ibn Ishaq, a character first seen in Valhalla, as the main protagonist.

And now, the countdown begins for the next chapter of the Assassin/Templar saga. Get ready to journey to 16th-century Japan, joining shinobi Fujibayashi Naoe and legendary samurai Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows this March.

Remember, “Nothing is true, everything is permitted.”