The Assassin’s Creed series is known for its unique blend of history, myth, and adventure set in rich open-world environments. But with so many entries, how do they all stack up? From technical failures to groundbreaking adventures, let’s explore each title, examining their strengths and weaknesses in detail.
Assassin’s Creed: Unity
Release Date: November 11, 2014
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
- Setting: Paris during the French Revolution, a period of immense social upheaval.
- Main Character: Arno Victor Dorian, who is driven by vengeance.
- Notable Figures: Features encounters with historical celebrities like Napoleon and Robespierre.
- Criticisms: The game suffered heavily due to technical issues at launch, such as bugs that rendered it unplayable for many.
- Positive Aspects: Despite its flaws, the game’s detailed recreation of Paris is immersive.
- Legacy: Remembered for its ambition and its technical failure, a cautionary tale in gaming development.
Assassin’s Creed: Rogue
Release Date: November 11, 2014
Platform: Playable on various consoles, including older generations like PS3.
- Setting: Set during the Seven Years’ War, bridging the gap between AC III and AC IV.
- Main Character: Focuses on Shay Patrick Cormac, who transitions from Assassin to Templar.
- Criticism: Often seen as an expansion rather than a full sequel because it recycled many elements from Black Flag.
- Unique Feature: Arctic exploration sets it apart, injecting fresh ideas into the franchise.
Assassin’s Creed 3
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Platform: Available on several consoles, including newer formats through remasters.
- Setting: The tumultuous times of the American Revolution.
- Main Character: Connor/Ratonhnhaké:ton, torn between two worlds.
- Strengths: Introduced naval combat, a feature that would become a fan favorite.
- Criticism: Character development left players wanting more, and some missions faltered due to clunky mechanics.
Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate
Release Date: October 23, 2015
Platform: Available on major platforms during its release.
- Setting: Victorian London, a city brimming with the spirit of the Industrial Revolution.
- Main Characters: The Frye twins, Jacob and Evie, with different approaches to order and chaos.
- Gameplay: The game introduced a grappling hook, which added a new dynamic to navigation.
- Flaws: The sheer number of side quests diluted the impact of the main storyline.
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Platform: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360
- Main Protagonists: Ezio Auditore, Altair Ibn-La’Ahad, and Desmond Miles.
- Narrative Arc: Attempts to tie together various narrative threads from previous games.
- Drawback: Over-reliance on convoluted plotlines that confused many players.
- Emotional Moment: The poignant scene where Ezio encounters Altair’s remains.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Release Date: November 16, 2010
Platform: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
- Setting: Renaissance Rome, bustling with art and intrigue.
- Main Character: Ezio continues his journey against the Borgia family.
- Innovations: Introduced territory control and a guild system, enhancing strategic depth.
- Emotional Hook: Deeply personal storylines involving Ezio’s family add layers of complexity.
Assassin’s Creed: Mirage
Release Date: October 5, 2023
Platform: Current-generation consoles including next-gen options.
- Setting: Baghdad, ca 9th century, captures the historical essence of the region.
- Main Character: Explores Basim’s origins, providing context to Valhalla’s narratives.
- Strengths: Praised for its beautifully crafted world and return to stealth-based gameplay.
- Limitations: Story structure remains conventional, limiting its dynamism.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Platform: Various including PC and the early lifecycle of PS4, Xbox One.
- Setting: Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean.
- Main Character: Edward Kenway, a charismatic pirate at odds with assassins and templars.
- Achievements: Lauded for its naval combat and expansive open-world exploration.
- Legacy: Considered one of the most fun entries with its pirate theme adding a unique twist.
Assassin’s Creed: Origins
Release Date: October 27, 2017
Platform: Widely available on major current-gen platforms.
- Setting: Ancient Egypt, a land of mystery and grandeur.
- Main Character: Bayek, dedicated to avenging his son’s murder and protecting Egypt.
- Reinvention: Overhauled combat systems and an RPG-style progression injected new life.
- Strength: Captures the historical and mythological richness of Egypt.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Release Date: November 10, 2020
Platform: Released across major platforms of the time, including next-gen consoles.
- Setting: Anglo-Saxon England during the Viking expansion.
- Main Character: Eivor, engaged in conquest while seeking personal destiny.
- Balance: Attempts to merge stealth and combat aspects but can feel overwhelming.
- Notable Features: Integrates Norse mythology heavily, adding epic storytelling layers.
Assassin’s Creed
Release Date: November 13, 2007
Platform: Initially released on major platforms like PC, PS3, Xbox 360.
- Setting: Third Crusade-era Middle East.
- Main Character: The stoic Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad.
- Innovation: Laid the framework with its parkour mechanics and vast historical storytelling.
- Landmark Moment: First “Leap of Faith” has become iconic in video game culture.
Assassin’s Creed 2
Release Date: November 17, 2009
Platform: Platforms vary, but widely re-released in collections.
- Setting: Vibrant Renaissance Italy.
- Main Character: The charismatic Ezio Auditore di Firenze.
- Expansion: Expanded on its predecessor with more refined narrative and gameplay mechanics.
- Cultural Impact: Set the standard for how historical fiction can be interwoven with gameplay.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Release Date: October 2, 2018
Platform: Available across various platforms, continuing into current-gen consoles.
- Setting: Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War.
- Main Characters: Players choose between Alexios or Kassandra.
- Standout Features: The freedom of choice and rich storytelling that include mythical elements.
- High Praise: Often cited as reaching the narrative and exploratory heights similar to The Witcher 3.
- Opening Sequence: Inspired by legendary battles akin to the 300 Spartans.
| Game Title | Key Setting | Main Character | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin’s Creed: Unity | Paris, French Revolution | Arno Victor Dorian | Detailed Parisian landscape |
| Assassin’s Creed: Rogue | Seven Years’ War | Shay Patrick Cormac | Arctic exploration |
| Assassin’s Creed 3 | American Revolution | Connor/Ratonhnhaké:ton | Naval combat introduction |
| Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate | Victorian London | Twins Jacob and Evie Frye | Grappling hook navigation |
| Assassin’s Creed: Revelations | Various periods | Ezio, Altair, Desmond | Convergence of story arcs |
| Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood | Renaissance Rome | Ezio Auditore | Territory control system |
| Assassin’s Creed: Mirage | 9th Century Baghdad | Basim bn Ishaq | Stealth return |
| Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag | Caribbean Pirate Era | Edward Kenway | Naval battles |
| Assassin’s Creed: Origins | Ancient Egypt | Bayek | RPG elements introduction |
| Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla | Viking Age England | Eivor | Norse mythology |
| Assassin’s Creed | Third Crusade | Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad | Parkour mechanics |
| Assassin’s Creed 2 | Renaissance Italy | Ezio Auditore | Expanded narrative |
| Assassin’s Creed Odyssey | Ancient Greece | Kassandra/Alexios | Player choice emphasis |
