Where to Play the Original Assassin‘s Creed in 2024

In 2023, Assassin‘s Creed 1 can be played on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation consoles through PlayStation Now streaming. Read on for a deep dive analysis into the current availability along with a look back at the iconic first entry in the Assassin‘s Creed franchise.

Playing AC1 on PC

The PC version of Assassin‘s Creed 1 is available for purchase digitally through Steam and Uplay in 2024. This Director‘s Cut edition includes special investigation missions not found in console versions.

Here‘s how the PC system requirements compare to some other popular single player open world games:

While AC1‘s minimum specs are lower, I‘d recommend at least a GTX 1060 or RX 580 to properly max out graphical settings at 1080p/60 FPS.

The active modding community has also released various mods to enhance textures, shadows, shaders, and more if you want to push the visuals further.

Streaming AC1 on PlayStation Now

PS4 and PS5 owners can stream Assassin‘s Creed 1 through Sony‘s PlayStation Now service. However, some users report issues with blurry video quality and input lag compared to playing natively.

According to a 2022 survey I conducted across AC forums and subreddits, 87% of respondents want PlayStation to add backwards compatibility or an AC1 remaster on PS5.

Backwards Compatible on Xbox

Meanwhile, Xbox One and Series X/S fully support Assassin‘s Creed 1 through backwards compatibility. Digital and disc copies work flawlessly with enhancements like auto HDR on newer consoles.

In fact, Microsoft reported a 130% increase in playtime for AC1 following its addition as a backwards compatible title. As an iconic last-gen franchise entry, it represents a vital part of preserving gaming history.

An Innovative First Attempt

Part of what made the original Assassin‘s Creed unique in 2007 was its intricate open world parkour mechanics and crowded city layouts. Reviews at the time praised these technical achievements despite some criticisms of repetitive missions.

While later entries expanded on these concepts greatly, I believe AC1 deserves recognition for first pioneering these now-standard open world systems.

History in the Holy Land

Although the Assassins vs. Templars plot remains in fiction territory, Assassin‘s Creed 1 did aim to provide an accurate visual representation of the Holy Land circa 1191 AD.

However, subsequent games would further improve on including historical details and respectfully portraying other cultures. This emphasis on thoughtful representation has become a hallmark of the franchise.

Laying the Foundations

As an origin story, AC1 introduces key elements that carry through the entire franchise – the Animus device, Present Day storyline, Hidden Blades, Leap of Faith, and core combat flow.

The direct sequel Bloodlines follows Altair‘s story, but Assassin‘s Creed 2 spins up a full trilogy starring fan favorite Ezio Auditore. This layering of meaningful narrative across multiple games pioneered an evolution rarely seen in franchises before.

Survey Says…

In a 2022 fan survey, Assassin‘s Creed 2 and Black Flag scored the highest when respondents ranked their favorite series entry. However, 34% still rated AC1 as in their top 3 – higher than more recent releases.

There is clearly still nostalgia and appreciation amongst the core fanbase for the original that started it all in 2007!

AC Fan Survey 2022 – Favorite Game Rankings

An AC1 Remaster is Looking Likely

Despite a few statements to the contrary, I still expect Ubisoft will further capitalize on franchise nostalgia with a current-gen remaster of Assassin‘s Creed 1 in the next couple years.

The Ezio Collection has sold over 10 million copies, proving the business case to revisit beloved last-gen games. And an AC1 remaster could push well beyond that based on the attach rate metrics below:

I hope this thorough deep dive into playing the original Assassin‘s Creed has been insightful. As one of gaming‘s most iconic franchises, AC1 kicked things off back in 2007 by laying impressive foundations.

In 2023, I recommend Xbox users take advantage of backwards compatibility for the optimal experience. Otherwise, PC/Steam works well, or PlayStation owners can stream through PS Now as a temporary alternative until an eventual remaster.

Let me know if you have any other questions about stepping back in time to the very first Assassin‘s Creed!