Are All Assassin‘s Creed Games Connected?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

Yes, all mainline Assassin‘s Creed games are interconnected through an overarching narrative arc spanning different time periods. This cross-generational storyline fused with evolving gameplay has defined the Assassin‘s Creed franchise since its inception in 2007.

A Blockbuster Franchise Spanning 15 Years

Assassin‘s Creed has grown into one of gaming‘s most popular and top selling franchises over 7 generations of consoles from PS3 to PS5. Across 25 games and numerous media spinoffs like books, comics and a movie, Assassin‘s Creed has sold over 200 million copies worldwide as of 2022.

[insert franchise sales infographic]

For perspective on how massive that is – only top tier franchises like Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto and FIFA have crossed 200 million.

So what has made Assassin‘s Creed strike such a chord with gamers for 15+ years?

The Core Connection via the Modern Day Story Arc

While each historical setting introduces new protagonists and time period-specific stories, they all tie back to the present via the Modern Day narrative arc.

This arc focuses on characters who in the present day, relive the "genetic memories" of their Assassin ancestors to uncover knowledge and artifacts that could shift the power balance in the eternal struggle against the Templar order.

  • Assassin‘s Creed 1 had you play as Desmond Miles, who relives the memories of his ancestor Altaïr Ibn-La‘Ahad (a lethal assassin during the Crusades era Holy Land)
  • Assassin‘s Creed II, Brotherhood and Revelations focused on Ezio Auditore da Firenze‘s life in Italy, while building out Desmond‘s story
  • Assassin‘s Creed III concluded Desmond Miles‘ story with world shattering consequences and introduced a new modern day protagonist

So this key plot device of the Animus technology allows gamers to inhabit the shoes of revered assassins throughout history, with the modern day linear arc serving as the common thread across games.

According to Ubisoft developers:

"Fans love recurring elements like the Animus, Abstergo, Assassins, Templars and the First Civilization which bind the franchise. At the same time each historical setting brings something special."

This formula has worked wonderfully, giving players distinct, fleshed out historical sandboxes to explore while having an "Aha!" moment when they recognize a connecting dot to the meta story.

Linking the Memories from Ancient Greece to Viking Conquests

While later games like Black Flag (Caribbean pirates), Unity (French Revolution) and Syndicate (Industrial Revolution London) have indirect references connecting back to Desmond Miles‘ story, the memories go much further back.

Origins, Odyssey and Valhalla focus heavily on mythological lore from the roots of the Assassin vs Templar ideological conflict spanning thousands of years.

[insert visual timeline infographic]

There is almost a "Avengers-esque" quality in witnessing how the Brotherhood has thrived by passing the torch from one legendary assassin to another over centuries!

United by Stealth Heritage with Evolving Gameplay

However, an assassin is nothing without the right toolset to strike from the shadows. This means the gameplay has also appropriately evolved from the originally more stealth-focused early games to the vast RPG-mechanics ridden open worlds of late.

Assassin‘s Creed has organically matured as a franchise by retaining familiar gameplay pillars while expanding its horizons as gaming platforms advanced.

Stealth parkour movement, exotic beautifully-realized historical lands, fluid acrobatic combat and the hallmark wrist Hidden Blade have withstood the test of time. These pillars are expertly infused with emergent elements like dialogue choices, skill trees, loot upgrades etc.

This allows both Gen Z gamers and Millenial fans who grew up with Altaïr and Ezio to feel equally immersed and invested in the sprawling Assassin‘s Creed universe!

Overall, I believe this franchise formula focused on the eternal struggle between Assassins and Templars across centuries unified by ancestral genetic memory transfer and evolving gameplay systems grounded in stealth systems has been the secret behind Assassin‘s Creed‘s decade long success.

As Assassin‘s Creed Infinity aims bring more unified experiences for the series moving forward, the stage is set for fans to relive many more extraordinary memories through history!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

Similar Posts