Top 10 Best Assassin's Creed Games

Over the years, Assassin's Creed has taken us to some of the most interesting historical settings, from Renaissance Italy to ancient Egypt and beyond. Each game brings its own mix of stealth, combat, and exploration, with evolving gameplay mechanics that keep things fresh, even while staying true to the series' roots.

But which one stands out as the best? Is it the sweeping open worlds of the newer games that draw you in? Or maybe you're more into the traditional stealth-focused experiences of the earlier entries? Do you prefer the deep, branching storylines or the fast-paced action?

1. Assassin's Creed II

   

   Assassin's Creed II was released in 2009 and continues Desmond Miles' story through the memories of Ezio Auditore da Firenze. The game is set in Renaissance Italy, featuring cities such as Florence and Venice. It introduced new mechanics like economic systems, weapon upgrades, and improved parkour movement.

   Assassin's Creed II is the greatest AC game because it presents one of the greatest stories ever told, that of Ezio Auditore da Firenze.

   Ezio was probably the most humane character out of all the others because, unlike Connor or Altair, he shows more compassion. This is because the main story takes place when he's 17, not a full-grown adult, so he makes mistakes.

   He's also a ladies' man, a troublemaker, and a good person to those who deserve it. During this time, he's betrayed by one of his father's friends, and his two brothers, Federico and Petruccio, as well as his father, Giovanni, are hanged. Instead of leaving and getting his sister and mother out of town right away, he runs and yells, "I'll kill you for what you've done!" Due to the overwhelming number of guards, he has to flee and takes his mother and sister somewhere safe.

   I don't have the time to tell the whole story, but I'll summarize it. He gets a hidden blade from Leonardo da Vinci, learns how to steal and blend in, kills the man who betrayed him, and goes to a different town to see his uncle Mario. Then he learns how to fight and discovers that his father was an assassin and had a list of people he needed to take down. Ezio, following in his father's footsteps, proceeds to kill everyone on the list and finishes what his father had started.

   In Ezio's search, you get to see how he goes from a brash and reckless child to a man who, upon finally finding the person behind the whole plot (Rodrigo Borgia), lets him go, saying, "No, killing you won't bring my family back. I'm done."

2. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

   

   Released in 2013, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag follows Edward Kenway, a pirate and Assassin operating in the early 18th-century Caribbean. The game combines naval exploration, ship battles, and open-world missions set during the Golden Age of Piracy. It was developed by Ubisoft Montreal and built on the AnvilNext engine.

   Black Flag had some of the most memorable characters in any video game I have ever played. Edward was by far one of the most interesting mains in the entire series, and the emotional attachment I felt for the surrounding cast really immersed me in the game. The world was also one of the most impressive I have ever seen, and I really felt compelled to explore every nook and cranny of it, and achieve that 100% rating. The pirating and ship mechanics were fun and easy to learn, but difficult to master, and the sense of resource management really improved the overall feel of the game. Definitely the best Assassin's Creed title, and one of the best games I have played overall. It was so enjoyable that after getting almost all the achievements in the Xbox 360 version, I did the same when I bought it on the Xbox One less than a year later.

3. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

   

   Released in 2010, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood continues Ezio Auditore's story as he leads the Assassin Brotherhood in Rome. The game expands city management and introduces a system for recruiting and deploying Assassins. It was the first in the series to include competitive multiplayer.

   This is my absolute favorite game of all time. AC 2 got me into the franchise, and Revelations was the first one I bought for myself. But, I've always loved Brotherhood. Great story, Ezio looks the best in my opinion, awesome selection of outfits, such as Altaïr's outfit, which is my favorite in the series, kill streaks, crossbows, and more assassins. I've played through it about 16 times and know nearly all the lines by heart. Still not bored with it. Thank you, Ubisoft.

   Best AC game there is. I played both AC II, and this is the more polished and refined version of II. In AC2, it's way too easy to be OP, and there is still the annoying countryside travel. But this! This is polished. Just one city. Good storyline, as always for the first few AC games. And you actually have to try.

4. Assassin's Creed III

   

   Launched in 2012, Assassin's Creed III follows Connor Kenway, a half-British, half-Mohawk Assassin during the American Revolution. It features large-scale battles and a blend of wilderness exploration and urban stealth. The title uses the AnvilNext engine, introducing naval combat to the series.

   There are so many people who don't like AC3 because they believe Connor only kills the British, thus he's killing his own people. First of all, he's only half British. Secondly, most Americans who fought during the war were British, and no one is saying anything about that. Third, he was raised by Native Americans, so he does not have a sense of his British self. Fourth, Connor actually kills people on both sides of the conflict. Fifth, most people who are posting these comments are trying to make themselves sound smart and are actually making themselves sound really ignorant. Lastly, it's a game! Enjoy it for what it is!

   I like this game because all of the games made before it didn't have features like this, such as the rear animation of the horse, a variety of weapons that we can carry, and the fastest parkour and free-running, which is amazing.

   We control two protagonists, Haytham and then Connor, and the storyline of the game is very good. I think Connor is the best assassin after Ezio Auditore. All the Assassin's Creed games have mature assassins, but this one has a young assassin, Connor.

   I believe that Connor didn't use his mind a lot because he killed Charles Lee, Haytham Kenway, his friend, etc. But it's still the best game of the series. Enjoy!

5. Assassin's Creed: Revelations

   

   Assassin's Creed: Revelations (2011) concludes Ezio's trilogy and also features Altaïr's story through flashbacks. Set primarily in Constantinople, the game adds tools like the hookblade and bomb crafting. It refines traversal and combat mechanics introduced in earlier entries.

   There is not a single game in the series that I didn't fall in love with, but visually and story-wise, Revelations is the most amazing.

   This game has the most insane graphic details ever, including decorations on buildings, clothing, and more. It was set in Istanbul, perhaps the most beautiful city in the world. Every screen, whether a demo, a mission, or a random point, looks like a classic painting.

   I love the games set in America and the Caribbean too, but they lacked the incredible architecture of Europe, so they had to look a bit plain despite being newer games. The Ezio and Altair connection and the ending were magical.

6. Assassin's Creed

   

   The first Assassin's Creed game launched in 2007 and introduced players to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad during the Third Crusade. It established the series' hallmark mechanics of parkour, stealth, and historical settings. The modern-day narrative centers on Desmond Miles experiencing ancestral memories via the Animus.

   This one's simply more of a work of art, while the others are a bit typical. The deliberately poor cinematography made the atmosphere awesome. The writing was the best, and Abstergo was actually scary in this one. The gameplay definitely had its lows, but the highs were the highest in the series, and this game more than any of the others actually expected you to have a brain.

   I still love the others, and Ezio is still my favorite character, but AC1 is still my favorite game. Although Black Flag came disturbingly close.

   This game is plain and simple one of those that you know are going to have a certain effect on your gaming experience ever since you start playing it. It's an utterly positive one at that.

   I believe Altaïr is one of the best-developed characters, and the in-game world feels so organic and real you can almost feel your instant freedom. I will always be amazed by this game. It's a shame I can't say the same about the later ones, though.

7. Assassin's Creed: Unity

   

   Assassin's Creed: Unity (2014) is set during the French Revolution in Paris. The story follows Arno Dorian, who seeks redemption while uncovering political conspiracies. The game introduced cooperative multiplayer missions for up to four players.

   I love the Assassin's Creed series, and thus far, I believe Unity is the pinnacle of the series. Yes, it had a buggy launch, though most of my personal playing time was completely devoid of bugs. Once the patches were released and the game was expanded with the free Dead Kings DLC, there's no way this game could come off as anything short of amazing. Even after the release of the stellar Assassin's Creed Syndicate, Unity's Arno still holds the title for the series' most customizable protagonist. The experience points ranking system, skill acquisition, upgradeable gear and weapons, and co-op missions were unprecedented and revolutionary for the series. Even its challenging combat system was the series' best, in my opinion. Unity just doesn't get enough credit.

   Though botched PC version launches are fairly common this generation, it's unfortunate that Unity's reputation and accomplishments often go unnoticed and unappreciated due to its buggy launch.

8. Assassin's Creed: Rogue

   

   Released in 2014, Assassin's Creed: Rogue follows Shay Patrick Cormac, a former Assassin turned Templar during the Seven Years' War. The game combines land missions with Arctic naval exploration. It bridges the narratives of Black Flag and Assassin's Creed III.

   Unlike the other Assassin's Creed games, Rogue is the one that is more in "grey." There is no white Assassin and black Templars. Since the beginning, the Templars were presented as the "Bad Guys." They were evil, manipulative, and wanted to be the masters of Earth! (You could almost do a Machiavellian laugh after all the sentences of the Templars). But with Rogue, things are presented differently. You really get into the character and the story.

   Also, even if it's an "old generation" game, the places are beautiful. I really enjoyed traveling through this whole world.

   Not too long ago, I always believed the Assassins were the good guys. You play as them, and the Templars, especially the Borgia, were shown as evil and power-hungry.

   After playing Rogue, though, my opinion completely changed. I would now rather be a Templar than an Assassin. With the exception of the Renaissance and Caribbean rites, I look at the Templars in a completely different way in the old games now.

   Second favourite and most influential storyline because of this, as well as everything else about it.

9. Assassin's Creed: Origins

   

   Assassin's Creed: Origins (2017) reimagines the franchise with RPG-style leveling and combat systems. Set in Ptolemaic Egypt, it tells the story of Bayek of Siwa and the foundation of the Assassin Brotherhood. The game includes historical figures such as Cleopatra and Julius Caesar.

   I was mind-blown for the first two hours of gameplay in this game. It obviously has the best gameplay and graphics, though other Assassin's Creed games have had better storylines. It has such a low ranking because it's a new game.

   The only fault I found in the game was that it had way too many side quests and collectibles, which might get a bit tedious if you're a perfectionist like me, and also keep you away from the main story missions. Combat and travel are amazing, and the graphics are top-notch.

   This is the latest game of the series, though it's too good. It's far better than the others. The graphics are awesome (I can't differentiate between reality and this), and the fighting is the best. The camera always stays behind the person, so the fight is more strong and fun. The Eagle Vision is much better than in the others and shows the path better.

   And the slow motion while jumping off a tree and killing a person is very impressive! I bet this is the best Assassin's Creed entry in the franchise's lifetime.

10. Assassin's Creed: Syndicate

    

    Released in 2015, Assassin's Creed: Syndicate takes place in Victorian London during the Industrial Revolution. Players alternate between twin protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye. The game features a grappling hook for navigation and a gang management system.

    Added a lot of new features like trains, carriages, and a rope launcher. Liked the idea of boroughs being taken over, but it was similar to some of the previous games (like the naval bases in Black Flag). Some of the challenges are pretty hard, and the carriage driving feels really out of place at times. Liked the game overall, but it still needed to improve some things.

    Jacob and Evie Frye might be some of my favorite protagonists of all time. Victorian London is the perfect playground with plenty of content and fun. Assassin's Creed Syndicate includes the best missions of the series and does everything better than Unity. Who would have expected that?

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Assassin's Creed: Shadows

    

    Released in 2025, Assassin's Creed Shadows is an action-adventure game developed by Ubisoft Quebec and published by Ubisoft. Set in late 16th-century Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, the game features two playable protagonists, a shinobi named Naoe and a samurai named Yasuke, whose intertwined stories explore the conflict between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order. It runs on an upgraded version of the Anvil engine and emphasizes stealth-focused gameplay, including dynamic lighting and shadow-based mechanics within a large open world.

12. ?

    Assassin's Creed: Mirage

    

    Assassin's Creed: Mirage (2023) returns to the series' stealth-focused roots. It follows Basim Ibn Ishaq in 9th-century Baghdad during the Abbasid Caliphate. The game emphasizes parkour, social stealth, and close-quarters assassinations.

The Contenders

13. Assassin's Creed: Odyssey

    

    Released in 2018, Assassin's Creed: Odyssey is set in Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War. Players choose between Alexios or Kassandra, descendants of Leonidas. The game expands the RPG elements with branching dialogue, choices, and ship-based exploration.

    I've played every Assassin's Creed game, and in my opinion, Origins is the best. It boasts the biggest map, the best graphics, and the most intricate missions. I've seen gameplay and the trailer for Odyssey and believe it will be amazing. If it comes anywhere near Origins, I will be astounded.

    I played the game from beginning to end at a time in my life when I hardly ever finish games anymore. The graphics and gameplay are great. The main story was good, not the best, but the side missions were entertaining. Overall, I've been addicted to this game, with over 100 hours played and still wanting more.

14. Assassin's Creed III: Liberation

    

    Assassin's Creed III: Liberation debuted in 2012 for the PlayStation Vita and stars Aveline de Grandpré in 18th-century New Orleans. It focuses on colonial conflicts between Assassins and Templars. The game was later remastered for modern consoles as part of the Assassin's Creed III Remastered package.

    This game is much better than Altair Chronicles and Bloodlines. It's not fair to compare it to PS3 entries, but this is actually a pretty good game if you remember it's a Vita game. I was actually impressed with the gameplay.

    Note - The multiplayer is terrible, and there was a glitch that corrupted save files. Thankfully, the glitch has been patched. Be sure to start a new game after patching.

    I have played this game many times. It is the best game for a PC gamer. I got Liberation at a side road stall, but it turned out to be a good game. Assassin's Creed III does not deserve this place.

15. Assassin's Creed: Valhalla

    

    Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (2020) follows Eivor, a Viking raider who settles in England during the 9th century. The game integrates settlement building, raids, and RPG progression. It expands the mythology elements introduced in Origins and Odyssey.

    Easily one of the best in the series. Great storyline, fun missions, and overall just a good game.

    This is by far the second-best game in the series. I really, really love it! Five stars!

16. Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines

    

    Released in 2009 for the PlayStation Portable, Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines continues Altaïr's journey after the events of the first game. The story takes place on the island of Cyprus. It connects directly to the overarching narrative between Assassin's Creed and Assassin's Creed II.

    This game has a good story and timeline, but the gameplay isn't so good.

    Okay storyline, terrible graphics, terrible gameplay. If Altair could perform some combos, this game would be better.

    This game is great! It fully shows Altair's story.

17. Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles

    

    Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles (2008) is a prequel to the original game, released for the Nintendo DS. It explores Altaïr's mission to retrieve the Chalice, an artifact with powerful properties. The game uses platforming and combat sequences adapted for handheld controls.

    This seriously must be the last one on this list. I can't believe that some people even voted for this, leaving out all the other good ones.

18. Assassin's Creed II: Discovery

    

    Released in 2009 for the Nintendo DS, Assassin's Creed II: Discovery follows Ezio Auditore's missions in Spain. It focuses on rescuing fellow Assassins and confronting the Spanish Inquisition. The game features 2.5D side-scrolling stealth gameplay.

19. Assassin's Creed: Freedom Cry

    

    Originally a DLC for Black Flag, Freedom Cry (2013) became a standalone title. It follows Adéwalé, a former slave turned Assassin fighting against the slave trade in the Caribbean. The game introduces missions centered on liberation and rebellion.

    A story-driven game that begs the player to focus on what is being told.

20. Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China

    Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China (2015) features Shao Jun, an Assassin trained by Ezio Auditore. The story takes place during the Ming dynasty in 1526. It introduces a side-scrolling format emphasizing stealth and precision.

21. Assassin's Creed: Rebellion

    Assassin's Creed: Rebellion (2018) is a strategy RPG for mobile platforms. Players manage a fortress, recruit Assassins, and complete tactical missions. It includes characters from multiple eras in the Assassin's Creed universe.

22. Assassin's Creed: Identity

    Assassin's Creed: Identity (2016) is a mobile action RPG developed for iOS and Android. Players create their own Assassin and complete missions set in Renaissance Italy. It features character customization and skill progression systems.

23. Assassin's Creed: Pirates

    Assassin's Creed: Pirates (2013) is a mobile game focused on naval battles and ship management. Players control Captain Alonzo Batilla as he sails through the Caribbean. The gameplay centers on upgrading ships, exploring islands, and engaging in sea combat.

    The game has an interesting story. The story of Alonzo shows various ups and downs, exciting and thrilling the player. The graphics of this game are better than any other Assassin's Creed mobile game.

24. Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India

    

    Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India (2016) is set in 1841 during the conflict between the Sikh Empire and the East India Company. It stars Arbaaz Mir, an Assassin seeking to recover a stolen artifact. The game uses a 2.5D side-scrolling format with stealth-focused gameplay.

25. Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia

    Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia (2016) is set during the aftermath of the October Revolution. It follows Nikolai Orelov, an Assassin seeking to protect a princess linked to a Piece of Eden. The game continues the 2.5D side-scrolling style of the Chronicles series.