Should You Play the Assassin‘s Creed Games in Order?

As a hardcore Assassin‘s Creed fan whose played every single title since the first game‘s release in 2007, I get asked this question a lot – can I just jump into any AC game, or do I need to play them in a specific order?

Well, after resembling the Animus and reliving the memories of over a dozen ancestors across history, I‘m ready to provide a definitive answer.

The Short Answer

You can start playing any Assassin‘s Creed game without worrying too much about the chronological order or missing story connections. Each title features a self-contained setting and protagonist that can be enjoyed independently.

However, playing the mainline games in release order allows you to better understand and appreciate the:

• Modern day storyline with the Assassins vs Templars that spans the entire franchise
• Ancestral protagonists and their role in the Assassin Brotherhood
• Evolutions and improvements in gameplay, mechanics and engine technology

So while not absolutely necessary, I highly recommend playing the AC games in order to get the most fulfilling experience as a fan.

The Long Answer

Let‘s dive deeper into the gameplay evolution, storyline connections, and overall impact of playing the Assassin‘s Creed games in order.

The Assassin‘s Creed Release Timeline

First things first, the mainline Assassin‘s Creed games in order of release:

As you can see, the games cover a wide range of historical settings and eras. Now let‘s see how the order affects story and gameplay.

Do Assassin‘s Creed Games Connect Storywise?

On the surface, each Assassin‘s Creed game appears disconnected since they take place hundreds or thousands of years apart. However, they share the same universe and overarching modern day storyline focused on the conflict between Assassins and Templars.

The Desmond Miles arc spans the first five titles using the Animus to relive ancestral memories. Assassin‘s Creed IV to Syndicate features new modern day segments unrelated to Desmond. Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla focus on Layla Hassan‘s present day exploits that tie into the previous games.

So while not direct sequels, the AC titles have connected threads that form a deeper lore when played sequentially. Many subtle references and reappearing characters will be missed playing out of order.

How Has Gameplay Evolved Across the Series?

Being one of gaming‘s longest running annualized franchises, it‘s amazing to see how much the Assassin‘s Creed gameplay has improved over the years:

Assassin‘s Creed 1: The original game introduced core mechanics like parkour traversal, stealth assassinations, and crowd blending. But it was criticized for repetitive missions.

Assassin‘s Creed 2: Considered among the best in the franchise, AC2 significantly expanded on systems like a villa economy, Leonardo da Vinci inventions, and diverse side content.

Assassin‘s Creed Origins: After taking a year off, Origins overhauled the stale formula with hitbox combat, quest levels, loot grinding, and Eagle Vision.

Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla: The latest entry adds visceral Viking raids, settlement building, and large scale assaults to the stealth action foundation.

So playing in order allows you to better appreciate the evolution of combat, traversal, stealth, mission structure, puzzles, role playing elements, and open world mechanics throughout the series.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Playing Assassin‘s Creed Games in Order?

As you can see, playing the AC games in order requires patience and dedication. But it results in a richer understanding of the lore and appreciation for how far the gameplay has come.

Should You Play Assassin‘s Creed Games in Chronological Order?

The mainline Assassin‘s Creed titles in chronological order based on their historical settings are:

• Assassin‘s Creed Origins (48 BCE)
• Assassin‘s Creed Odyssey (431 BCE – 422 BCE)
• Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla (869 CE)
• Assassin‘s Creed (1191 CE)
• Assassin‘s Creed Revelations (1511 CE)
• Assassin‘s Creed Brotherhood (1506 CE)
• Assassin‘s Creed II (1476 – 1503 CE)
• Assassin‘s Creed Unity (1776 – 1800 CE)
• Assassin‘s Creed Syndicate (1868 CE)
• Assassin‘s Creed Rogue (1756 – 1763 CE)
• Assassin‘s Creed III (1754 – 1783 CE)
• Assassin‘s Creed IV Black Flag (1715 – 1722 CE)

Playing chronologically can be an interesting way to experience how the Assassins vs Templars struggle has unfolded through history. But you‘ll be jumping between vastly different gameplay styles and mechanics.

I‘d only recommend this path for diehard fans who have already played most of the series.

Should You Play the Assassin‘s Creed Games in Story Order?

For new players looking to get into the Assassin‘s Creed franchise, I strongly recommend playing the mainline games in release order. Here are some ways the story order enhances the experience:

Appreciate the Modern Day Story Arcs

The modern day segments act as glue between the vastly different historical settings. Playing in order lets you see how the battle between Assassins and Templars has evolved from the Crusades to the Victorian Era to Ancient Greece.

Get the Most Fulfilling Lead Character Arcs

The sequels featuring the same protagonist – like Ezio from AC2 to Revelations – are meant to be played together. You‘ll miss out on character development and closure otherwise.

Understand Easter Eggs and Callback References

There are many sly references to previous games that only make sense if you‘ve played in order. For example, Edward Kenway in Black Flag name dropping Altaïr and Ezio as legendary Assassins.

Experience How the Gameplay Has Improved

It‘s much easier to appreciate how subsequent AC games expanded on mechanics and systems compared to predecessors when playing in order. Seeing the evolution across titles is incredibly satisfying.

Starting Points for New Players

Want to get into Assassin‘s Creed but don‘t know where to start? Here are my top recommendations for new players:

• Assassin‘s Creed II – The fan favorite that established the signature AC formula
• Assassin‘s Creed Origins – Soft reboot with overhauled RPG mechanics
• Assassin‘s Creed IV Black Flag – Possibly the best standalone story and pirate gameplay

Ultimately there‘s no wrong way to enjoy these historical action adventure masterpieces. But I hope this deep dive has helped explain why playing Assassin‘s Creed games in story order is ideal for understanding the lore and appreciating how much the franchise has evolved over the years.

Let me know which Assassin‘s Creed is your favorite and if you have any other topics you‘d like me to cover!