Introduction
When it comes to epic, action-packed video games with a rich history, few gaming franchises come close to the Assassin’s Creed series. And with over 10 years of games, it’s easy to get lost in this vast universe. If you are new to the series and wonder how many games have been released, this article is for you. We will take a closer look at the history and evolution of Assassin’s Creed and help you sort through the different games. We will also rank the top five games by story, graphics, and gameplay, examine themes and motifs, and recommend which spinoffs are worth playing.
A Comprehensive List of All the Assassin’s Creed Games Ever Released
The Assassin’s Creed franchise began in 2007 with the first game released for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Since then, the franchise has grown to include multiple sequels, spin-offs, and side games. The series has taken players to various historical periods and places like Renaissance Italy, Colonial America, and Ancient Greece.
The Original Game and Its Subsequent Sequels
The first game in the series introduced the world to the story of Desmond Miles, a modern-day bartender who discovers that he is a descendant of a long line of Assassins. The game followed his journey as he entered the Animus, a machine that allows him to relive the memories of his ancestors. The game’s protagonist, Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, was a member of the Assassin Brotherhood during the Crusades. The game’s success led to the release of multiple sequels.
Assassin’s Creed II (2009) featured a new protagonist, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, who lived during the Renaissance in Italy. This game expanded on the previous title, adding additional abilities and features, as well as improving the gameplay and mechanics.
Assassin’s Creed III (2012) featured a new protagonist, Connor, during the American Revolution, and received mixed reviews. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) is considered the best pirate game and features a new protagonist, Edward Kenway.
Discussion of Spin-offs and Side Games
While the main series games have been popular, there have also been a few spin-offs and side games released over the years. These games include Assassin’s Creed Chronicles, which is a series of side-scrolling platform games that take place in various historical settings, and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, which is an action-adventure game set in Rome. Assassin’s Creed: Liberation (2012) is a side game set in New Orleans that focuses on the story of Aveline de Grandpré.
A List of All the Games, in Chronological Order
Here is the ultimate list of all the Assassin’s Creed games ever released, in chronological order:
– Assassin’s Creed (2007)
– Assassin’s Creed II (2009)
– Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood (2010)
– Assassin’s Creed Revelations (2011)
– Assassin’s Creed III (2012)
– Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013)
– Assassin’s Creed Rogue (2014)
– Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014)
– Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015)
– Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017)
– Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018)
Ranking the Best Assassin’s Creed Games by Gameplay, Story, and Graphics
While every game in the series has its own unique charms and qualities, some are simply better than others. Here is our list of the top five Assassin’s Creed games, ranked by gameplay, story, and graphics.
Description of the Criteria Used to Rank the Games
1. Assassin’s Creed II: This game has it all, from a fantastic story set in the Renaissance era to Brotherly love, to taking revenge.
2. Assassin’s Creed Origins: This game stands apart from other games in the series by offering tons of content and providing players with an immersive and visually stunning setting in Ancient Egypt.
3. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey which takes place in Ancient Greece and offers a vast world filled with interesting side-quests.
4. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – This game is known for its pirate gameplay and stunning tropical landscape and islands.
5. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – This game takes place in Victorian London and highlights some of the most iconic landmarks of the city.
Detailed Analysis of the Top Five Games in the Series
1. Assassin’s Creed II:
Assassin’s Creed II takes the top spot on our list. Massively improved mechanics and enhanced graphics, a memorable story set in the Renaissance period, and the introduction of Ezio Auditore made this game a favorite of fans and critics alike. The game also introduced new abilities and weapons that drastically changed how players approached combat and exploration.
2. Assassin’s Creed Origins:
Origins takes players to Ancient Egypt, where they take on the role of Bayek, a Medjay, who is tasked with uncovering a conspiracy. This game brings the most significant revamp the series has received in years, with enhanced RPG elements, massive open-worlds, and an entirely new combat system. The graphics and environments are also breathtaking, with both desert and underwater settings.
3. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey:
It is set in Ancient Greece and features new RPG elements, including a branching narrative with multiple endings and choices for players to make. The game offers a vast world to explore, full of beautiful landscapes and detailed NPCs.
4. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag:
This game brings a fresh feel to the series with its pirate-themed gameplay. Players take control of Edward Kenway, an English pirate, who roams the Caribbean in search of treasure, sailing a ship, and engaging in ship-to-ship combat.
5. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate:
In this game, players journey to Victorian London and play as twin assassins, Jacob and Evie Frye, who must save London from the clutches of the Templars. The game’s graphics and world-building are impressive, and the story is fun with an open-world containing everything from iconic landmarks and settings.
Honorable Mentions for Other Games That Were Close to Making the Top Five
The series has several excellent games, including Assassin’s Creed III, an entry that takes players to the American Revolution and introduces many new mechanics. Assassin’s Creed Revelations is up there too, and its exploration of the past of Ezio and Altair. Finally, there is Assassin’s Creed Unity which transitions to the French Revolution, and documents the characters and story behind it.
The Evolution of the Assassin’s Creed Franchise
The Assassin’s Creed series has come a long way since its inception. The series has undergone significant changes and improvements throughout the years, with each new game bringing new gameplay mechanics and features, as well as changes to storytelling and character development.
How the Games Have Changed and Evolved Over Time, From the First Game Through to the Most Recent Entry
The first game featured an open-world game using stealth mechanics which allowed players to explore ancient Jerusalem and other famous locations. The sequel was a significant improvement, with improvements in the graphics, a much larger open-world environment, and a story that was as much about revenge as it was to stop a Templar conspiracy. From this point on, the series expanded, with Liberation bringing in female leads, and Black Flag taking a departure, with pirate-themed gameplay.
Origins marked a significant PlayStation upgrade from other games, focusing on developing an enormous open-world and role-playing elements, with the addition of a less linear storyline and new levelling and progression systems. Odyssey built on Origins, with further RPG style enhancements, as it shed more light on the overall storyline of the game.
A Brief History and Timeline of the Assassin’s Creed Universe
The Assassin’s Creed universe is vast, stretching across multiple games, books, comics, and even movies. Here’s a quick summary of how the different games fit together and what story they tell.
A Summary of the Story Arc That Connects All the Games
The Assassin’s Creed franchise centers around two secret organizations, the Assassins, and the Templars. These organizations have been locked in a war for centuries, with each trying to gain power and control over the world. The games follow the stories of various assassins, as they fight back against the Templars and try to uncover their secrets.
An Overview of the Historical Periods and Locations Visited in the Assassin’s Creed Universe
The series takes players to different historical periods and locations, including Rome, the Ottoman Empire, and the French Revolution.
Explanation of the Ongoing Conflict Between the Assassins and Templars
The Assassins and Templars have been engaged in a long-lasting conflict that stretches back to the beginning of civilization itself. The Assassins are trying to protect free will for all people, while the Templars want to control the world through manipulation and force.
Examining Themes and Motifs in the Assassin’s Creed Series
The Assassin’s Creed series has several recurring themes and motifs, including the dangers of seeking power, the importance of family and loyalty, and the consequences of violence.
Discussion of Recurring Themes and Motifs Found Throughout the Games
The theme of seeking power and control is prevalent throughout the series, as the Templars try to gain control over the world, while the Assassins work to counter them. Friendship and loyalty are other important themes that run through the series, particularly in the relationship between characters like Ezio and Leonardo da Vinci.
Analysis of How These Themes and Motifs Contribute to the Overall Story and Player Experience
These themes give the series a depth that is often absent from other games, adding an emotional resonance to the story that is felt by players. The dangers of seeking power, especially as a means to an end, is seen frequently in the series, this being the downfall of several characters, and reinforcing the idea that the ends shouldn’t justify the means.
Assassin’s Creed Spin-offs and Side Games: What’s Worth Playing and What Can Be Skipped
While the mainline Assassin’s Creed games are quite popular, the spin-offs and side games are less well known. Some of them are worth playing and contribute to the overall lore of the game, while others can be skipped without affecting the story.
Overview of Spin-offs and Side Games in the Series
Chronicles is a side-scrolling game series, which takes place in various historical settings. Brotherhood is an action-adventure game set in Rome, while Revelations is based around Ezio’s journey. Finally, there is Liberation set in New Orleans that focuses on Aveline de Grandpré’s story.
Recommendation for Which Games Are Worth Playing and Which Can Be Skipped
Assassin’s Creed Chronicles is worth playing for fans of platforming games, Brotherhood and Revelations are worth playing for those who want to find out more about the life of Ezio Auditore, and Liberation is a solid game if you prefer female protagonists. However, some games like Assassin’s Creed Rogue could be skipped without major consequences to the storyline.
Conclusion
A decade and a half since its debut in 2007, the Assassin’s Creed has become a beloved game series to millions of avid gamers. With its incredible graphics, innovative gameplay, and loveable and relatable characters who span across several centuries, it’s undoubtedly one of the most enduring and memorable video game franchises of all time, with hours upon hours of entertainment to be had. With this guide, you are now better equipped to explore the series, enjoy the different storylines, and make informed decisions about the games to play.
And there you have it, everything from a comprehensive list of all the games to rankings, story summaries, and recommendations. Whether you are a casual gamer looking to try something new or a veteran player seeking to catch up on the series, this guide has everything you need to know about the Assassin’s Creed franchise.