Every Assassin’s Creed Game Ranked Worst to Best

This article ranks every mainline Assassin’s Creed game from worst to best, based on critical reception, fan consensus, and long-term impact on the series. The ranking below covers the main numbered entries and major spin-offs that most players consider part of the core saga, from the 2007 original through Mirage (2023).

How the Ranking Works

Ranking Assassin’s Creed games is subjective, but a few consistent criteria emerge from player and critic discussions:

• Story quality – how well the narrative, characters, and historical setting are woven together.
• Gameplay mechanics – combat, stealth, parkour, and mission design.
• World design – the density, beauty, and historical authenticity of the open world.
• Innovation – how much the game pushed the series forward (or sideways).
• Technical polish – bugs, performance, and overall finish at launch.

This list weighs these factors roughly equally, but your personal taste may shift the order significantly. If you prefer stealth over action, Unity and Syndicate will rank higher for you. If you want sprawling RPGs, Odyssey and Valhalla are near the top.

The Bottom Tier: Games That Missed the Mark

13. Assassin’s Creed: Unity (2014) – Set in Paris during the French Revolution, Unity had the most ambitious parkour and stealth systems of the classic era, but it launched with a notorious array of bugs, glitches, and performance issues that overshadowed its strengths. The co-op mode was a novel idea, but the story felt disjointed and the protagonist, Arno Dorian, is often cited as one of the least memorable assassins. After patches, the game is playable and even enjoyable, but the damage to its reputation was done.

12. Assassin’s Creed III (2012) – The American Revolution setting was a bold choice, and the game introduced naval combat that would later become a series staple. However, the opening hours are famously slow, and the protagonist, Connor Kenway, is a stoic figure who lacks the charisma of his predecessors. The game also had a messy modern-day storyline that left many players confused. Its historical moments and the Homestead side activities are highlights, but the pacing and character issues drag it down.

11. Assassin’s Creed: Rogue (2014) – A spin-off that was released alongside Unity, Rogue puts you in the shoes of a Templar, Shay Patrick Cormac. It reuses the naval gameplay of Black Flag and the North Atlantic setting is a nice change of pace. However, it was a short, derivative experience that felt like a stopgap between the PS3/Xbox 360 era and the next-gen consoles. It is not bad, but it is easily forgettable.

The Middle Tier: Solid Entries With Flaws

10. Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate (2015) – Set in Victorian London, Syndicate introduced the Frye twins, Jacob and Evie, and added a grappling hook that made traversal faster and more fun. The setting is beautifully realized, and the carriage chases are a highlight. However, the story is light and the combat is simplified compared to Unity. It is a polished, enjoyable game, but it lacks the epic scope of the best entries.

9. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011) – The final chapter of Ezio Auditore’s story, set in Constantinople, Revelations is a love letter to fans who followed Ezio from AC2. It adds the hookblade and bomb-making, but it feels like an expansion rather than a full sequel. The Desmond modern-day sections are also the weakest of the series, with a confusing narrative that led to the series’ eventual reboot. Still, it has emotional weight and a strong sense of closure.

8. Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla (2020) – The Viking saga is massive, beautiful, and full of content, but it is also bloated and uneven. The story of Eivor is compelling in parts, but the game’s length (60+ hours for the main story) can feel exhausting. The settlement-building and raiding mechanics are fun, but the RPG systems are less deep than Odyssey‘s. It is a good game, but it suffers from pacing issues and a lack of focus.

7. Assassin’s Creed: Mirage (2023) – A return to the series’ roots, Mirage is a shorter, stealth-focused experience set in Baghdad. It was praised for its parkour and assassination missions, but some felt it was too short and lacked the depth of the RPG titles. It is a solid homage to AC1 and AC2, but it does not reach the heights of those classics.

The Upper Tier: Great Games With Minor Issues

6. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010) – The direct sequel to AC2 refined the formula, adding the ability to recruit and command assassins. Set in Rome, it has a tighter story and better mission design than its predecessor. The multiplayer mode, though now dead, was a unique and fun addition. It is a great game, but it does not innovate as much as the top tier.

5. Assassin’s Creed: Origins (2017) – The game that rebooted the series into an RPG, Origins is set in Ptolemaic Egypt and follows Bayek, one of the founders of the Hidden Ones (the precursor to the Assassins). The open world is stunning, and the combat overhaul was a welcome change. The story is emotional and grounded, but the level-gating can be annoying, and the RPG mechanics are not as polished as later entries.

4. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) – Edward Kenway is a pirate, not an assassin, and that is why this game works so well. The naval combat is the best in the series, and the Caribbean setting is gorgeous. The story is a bit loose, but the gameplay loop of sailing, plundering, and upgrading your ship is addictive. It is widely considered the most fun game in the series, even if it is not the most “Assassin’s Creed” game.

The Top Tier: Masterpieces

3. Assassin’s Creed II (2009) – The game that saved the franchise. Ezio Auditore is the most beloved protagonist in the series, and his journey from young noble to master assassin is a classic coming-of-age story. Set in Renaissance Italy, the game improved everything from the original: combat, parkour, and mission variety. The villa upgrade system and the ability to buy and upgrade armor and weapons added a layer of progression that was missing before. It is a masterpiece that set the template for the series.

2. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey (2018) – The most ambitious game in the series, Odyssey is set in ancient Greece and offers a massive, beautiful world that is a joy to explore. The RPG mechanics are deep, with skill trees, gear, and dialogue choices that affect the story. The protagonist, Alexios or Kassandra (Kassandra is the canon choice), is charismatic, and the naval combat returns in a refined form. The main story is long and engaging, and the DLCs are excellent. It is not a traditional Assassin’s Creed game, but it is a phenomenal action RPG.

1. Assassin’s Creed II (2009) and Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag (2013) are often tied, but if forced to pick, Assassin’s Creed II takes the top spot because it defined the series’ identity. Wait, that is a cop-out. Let me be clear: The best Assassin’s Creed game is Assassin’s Creed II. It is the perfect balance of story, gameplay, and historical immersion. Every element works, from the soundtrack to the assassination missions to the modern-day twist. It is the game that made millions of players fall in love with the franchise, and it still holds up today. Black Flag is a close second, but AC2 is the definitive experience.

How to Choose Which Game to Play First

If you are new to the series, your choice depends on what you want:

• For a classic stealth and parkour experience: Start with Assassin’s Creed II or Mirage.
• For a pirate adventure: Play Black Flag.
• For a massive RPG with choices: Go with Odyssey.
• For a balanced mix of old and new: Try Origins.

Also, note that the modern-day storyline is largely self-contained in each game, so you do not need to play them in order to enjoy the historical settings.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that Unity is unplayable. While it was broken at launch, patches have fixed most issues, and it is now a decent game. Another is that Odyssey is not an Assassin’s Creed game because it lacks the hidden blade and traditional stealth. While it is true that the game focuses more on combat and RPG mechanics, the Assassin-Templar conflict is still central to the story.

Another issue is the series’ length. Modern entries like Valhalla are criticized for being too long, with many side quests that feel like filler. If you want a shorter experience, stick to Mirage or the classic games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Assassin’s Creed game has the best story?
A: Many fans consider Assassin’s Creed II to have the best story, as it follows Ezio’s journey from revenge to redemption. Origins and Odyssey also have strong narratives, but they are more personal and less about the Assassin-Templar conflict.

Q: Is Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag a good starting point?
A: Yes, Black Flag is a great starting point because it is self-contained and focuses on the pirate fantasy rather than the Assassin lore. It is also one of the most fun games in the series.

Q: Why is Unity so hated?
A: Unity is hated primarily because of its disastrous launch, which included numerous bugs and technical issues. The story and protagonist are also considered weak compared to other entries. However, after patches, it has a dedicated fanbase.

Q: Do I need to play the games in order?
A: No, each game has a self-contained story set in a different historical period. The modern-day framing story is minimal in most games, so you can jump in anywhere. However, playing the Ezio trilogy (AC2, Brotherhood, Revelations) in order enhances the experience.

Q: Which game is the most historically accurate?
A: Assassin’s Creed: Origins is often praised for its depiction of ancient Egypt, and Unity is noted for its recreation of revolutionary Paris. The series uses a mix of real events and fiction, so it is not 100% accurate, but it is a great starting point for learning about history.

Q: Are the RPG games (Origins, Odyssey, Valhalla) worth playing?
A: Yes, if you enjoy open-world RPGs with deep progression systems. They are very different from the classic games, but they are well-crafted and offer hundreds of hours of content. If you prefer stealth and assassination, you may want to skip them.

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