Since 2007, Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed video game series has released twelve mainline titles. Here are all 12 games, ranked from worst to best.
Finding the best and worst Assassin's Creed games means looking over all twelve main entries in the series, dating from the most recent release back to 2007. Ubisoft has also launched multiple mobile games and spin-off titles in the Assassin's Creed franchise in the past sixteen years, but it feels unfair to compare them to their AAA counterparts.
It's true that the franchise has seen its fair share of criticism, which often revolves around Ubisoft's formulaic game design, ubiquitous microtransactions, and digital rights management (DRM) requirements. However, even before Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and its DLC hit store shelves, the franchise had topped 140 million units sold, making it one of the best-selling video game series of all time. But what Assassin's Creed game is the best?
#12 - The Worst: Assassin's Creed Unity (2014)
In a pattern that’s become all too familiar of late, the launch of Assassin’s Creed Unity was marred by bugs and glitches - so much so that Ubisoft issued a public apology and provided free DLC as compensation. Beyond that, however, critics praised the game's animation and immersive setting in 18th century Paris, but panned its janky controls, cookie-cutter gameplay, and intrusive microtransactions.
#11 - Assassin's Creed Syndicate (2015)
The combat in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate may be fluid, but it’s also repetitive. Jacob and Evie Frye, the game’s two protagonists, offer a compelling contrast in viewpoints with which to take on the Victorian-era London. Yet, Evie gets sidelined in the main story quests, and this was later revealed to be due to Ubisoft executives believing games with female protagonists don’t sell.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate did correct many of Unity’s mistakes, but had too many of its own (such as the motion blur employed during carriage rides that was used to disguise lag) to reach the upper echelons of the series.
#10 - Assassin's Creed Rogue (2014)
Assassin’s Creed Rogue was released one year after Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, and it shows. The game does little to differentiate itself from its predecessor, using the same structure, menus, and gameplay. Check out the launch trailer from Ubisoft on YouTube below:
The storytelling of Assassin’s Creed Rogue, especially the parts involving characters from Assassin's Creed 3 like Haytham Kenway, is compelling, but the main campaign is woefully short. The stealth and parkour mechanics remain blunt at their best and infuriating at their worst.
#9 - Assassin's Creed 3 (2012)
Much like every other title in the series, Assassin’s Creed III launched with technical issues, but overall the game was praised for its expansive, colonial American open world - even if the tasks to be done in that world often amounted to little more than busywork. Pacing issues in the main story (which picks up immediately after Assassin’s Creed: Revelations) are somewhat forgiven for the game’s entertaining multiplayer mode.
#8 - Assassin's Creed: Revelations (2011)
The poignant conclusion of the Ezio saga, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations had big shoes to fill from the start. Unfortunately the story didn’t offer much in the way of revelations, leaving fans who simply had to have answers turning to outside sources (such as the animated short Assassin’s Creed: Embers and the Assassin’s Creed Encyclopedia).
Unfamiliar with Assassin's Creed: Embers? Check out the full animated short from Assassin's Creed Series on YouTube below!
Overall this game was criticized as being more of the same from Ubisoft save for a few odd additions, such as awkwardly-done den defense segments and a climbing hook which does... very little, apart from making climbing in Assassin's Creed slightly faster.
#7 - Assassin's Creed (2007)
Although the series’ first entry suffered from poor pacing and repetitive gameplay, Assassin’s Creed’s visual aspects were praised. Critics enjoyed the novel aspects introduced by this game, such as the viewpoints and the assassination gameplay, even if the AI was incredibly easy to fool.
Despite this, as players know well, the original Assassin's Creed proved popular enough to win several awards and spawn the series discussed here. It's not the best Assassin's Creed game, but it was the first, and arguably the most important.
#6 - Assassin's Creed Odyssey (2018)
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey took the ideas of Assassin’s Creed Origins and dialed them up to 11. With its enormous world, engrossing story, and for the first time, choice of protagonists, Assassin's Creed Odyssey reviews show it impressed many. However, players criticized the forced exploration and level grinding, sometimes complaining that it was unfeasible to progress without purchasing experience points via microtransactions.
#5 - Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag (2013)
With Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, it seemed Ubisoft took the criticisms of Assassin’s Creed III to heart. The game gives players a gorgeous open world to explore while living out “a pirate’s life for me” fantasies. Although the main storyline was not quite as good as the side quests, the excellent naval combat is the game’s shining jewel - and don’t forget to sing along with the sea shanties.
Haven't played Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, or just want to listen to the best sea shanties Black Flag had one more time? Listen to the full playlist on YouTube thanks to ASSAAIN ED! with the video here:
#4 - Assassin's Creed Valhalla (2020)
Although Assassin's Creed Valhalla boasts the most successful launch of any title in the series, the game has received many of the same criticisms leveled at its predecessors. Assassin's Creed Valhalla improves on Assassin's Creed Odyssey in many ways, such as being able to freely switch between a male or female protagonist rather than being locked into one choice from the beginning. One major change, however, is Ubisoft's requirement that players login to their Ubisoft Connect account or else they will be locked out of the game.
Some players don't see being forced to use Ubisoft Connect as a big deal, but for others, it's a dealbreaker. Valhalla's open world is beautiful but, traditionally, was somewhat buggy at launch, and it’s map was still a bit big for the tastes of many players - criticisms which likely led to Assassin's Creed Mirage being a smaller experience.
#3 - Assassin's Creed Origins (2017)
Assassin’s Creed Origins almost felt like a party celebrating the series’ rebirth. Tired franchise staples, such as tailing missions and map clutter, were swapped for more player agency and a streamlined parkour system. Assassin's Creed Origins also offers perhaps the most compelling location of the series - a big, gorgeous ancient Egyptian world to explore, which was utilized even further with the introduction of Assassin's Creed's Discovery Mode.
#2 - Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (2010)
Like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood doesn’t stray too far from its immediate predecessor. Instead, it keeps what was great about Assassin’s Creed II while amping up the mission variety and gameplay elements. In many ways, Brotherhood is basically Assassin’s Creed II 2.0, but that’s not a bad thing, because Assassin's Creed II is the best Assassin's Creed game.
#1 - The Best: Assassin's Creed 2 (2009)
The best Assassin's Creed game happened rather early in the series' history, but it's hard to think of a reason for it to not come in at #1. Assassin’s Creed II introduced Ezio Auditore da Firenze, easily the series’ most compelling and iconic protagonist. Bigger, smoother, and more fun than the series’ debut title, Assassin’s Creed II is often named among the best video games of all time. Check out the official reveal trailer from Ubisoft here:
It’s not perfect by any means (think questionable voice acting and less-than-stellar facial animation), but the good far, far outweighs the bad. Assassin’s Creed II is an absolute must-play, and the best Assassin's Creed game experience out there.
More: Assassin's Creed Has Ignored An Obvious Time Travel Trick
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Assassin's Creed Valhalla
- Released:
- 2020-11-10
- Developer:
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Franchise:
- Assassin's Creed
- Genre:
- Action, RPG, Adventure
- Platform:
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, Stadia
- Publisher:
- Ubisoft
- Expansions:
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla
- How Long To Beat:
- 60 Hours
