Unveiling the Top 10 Games of the Assassin's Creed Franchise

Debuting in 2007, the Assassin's Creed series has earned a stellar reputation in the realm of action-adventure gaming. Woven around the intricacies of stealth, action, and parkour in an open-world environment, the franchise takes players on a thrilling navigation through human history. This, interspersed with an ongoing narrative duel between the Brotherhood of Assassins and the Templar Order, stands as the series' fulcrum. Traversing different timelines and cultures, each installment presents a unique protagonist, story, and gameplay features that not only escalate the narrative arc but also bring refreshing twists to player engagement. Here's an exploration of the series' most compelling offerings, ranked and reviewed for your gaming pleasure.

1. Assassin's Creed II

Set in the heart of the Italian Renaissance, Assassin's Creed II traces the journey of Ezio Auditore da Firenze as he evolves from a volatile young noble to a seasoned, vengeance-driven Assassin. Accentuated by a brilliant narrative, the game expands upon its predecessor by enhancing the world-building, mission variety, and the 'Eagle Vision' mechanics. The rich historical backdrop of cities like Venice and Florence, coupled with landmarks like the Grand Canal and the Duomo, makes the game an immersive experience.

2. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

Revamping the series’ assets to the Caribbean, pirate-themed setting, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag introduces naval warfare and exploration to an extent never seen before in the franchise. Stepping into the boots of Edward Kenway, a Pirate turned Assassin, players venture through sun-drenched tropical islands and bustling ports. The naval battles, treasure hunts, and the unique blend of stealth and swashbuckling action make Black Flag a standout entry in the series.

3. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

The middle chapter of the Ezio trilogy, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, continues Ezio's story in Rome, conquered by the diabolical Borgia family. The game introduces the Brotherhood mechanic, empowering players to recruit and command fellow assassins. The game carries forward its predecessor's open world and free-form assassination mechanics while offering innovations like multiplayer modes and economic systems, making for an engrossing playthrough.

4. Assassin's Creed: Origins

As the name suggests, Assassin's Creed: Origins dives into the genesis of the Brotherhood, taking players to ancient Egypt. Playing as Bayek, a Medjay with a personal vendetta, players explore a world thriving with vibrant cityscapes and pristine landscapes. Origins overhauls the combat system, making it more versatile and challenging. The engrossing storyline, paired with the dynamic, open world filled with quests, makes Origins a redefining moment for the franchise.

5. Assassin's Creed: Odyssey

Taking the RPG elements of Origins a step further, Assassin's Creed: Odyssey sends players on an epic quest during the Peloponnesian War in ancient Greece. Offering a choice between two protagonists, Alexios and Kassandra, and a branching dialogue system, the game brings more player agency into the narrative than any preceding title. With expansive naval combat, multiple endings, and pervasive mythological elements, Odyssey emerges as one of the series' most ambitious installments.

6. Assassin's Creed: Valhalla

The latest installment of the franchise, Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, transpires during the Viking invasion of England. The game follows Eivor, a Viking raider-turned-assassin, as he/she embarks on a journey from the snowy mountains of Norway to the lush farmlands of ninth-century England. Valhalla perfects the RPG blueprint of its predecessors and adds settlement-building and visceral combat mechanics into the mix, resulting in an engaging and comprehensive Viking saga.

7. Assassin's Creed: Syndicate

Set in Victorian London, Assassin's Creed: Syndicate showcases the struggle between Assassins and Templars in a completely new light. Players alternate between twin assassins Jacob and Evie Frye, each with their unique skill sets and perspectives. The Industrial Revolution backdrop, the introduction of a grappling hook for faster navigation, gang wars, and the dual narrative make Syndicate a delightful spin on the series' conventional formula.

8. Assassin's Creed: Revelations

The final chapter of the Ezio trilogy, Assassin's Creed: Revelations, ties up loose ends as Ezio travels to Constantinople on the trail of his predecessor, Altair. Expertly interweaving Ezio and Altair's stories while bringing long-standing plotlines to a close, Revelations offers satisfying narrative closure. The addition of bomb crafting and a refined multiplayer experience make Revelations a fitting end to Ezio's saga.

9. Assassin's Creed: Rogue

A unique twist to the series, Assassin's Creed: Rogue, places players in the shoes of a Templar, Shay Patrick Cormac. Venturing through 18th century North America, players experience the conflict from the other side. With naval combat mechanics gleaned from Black Flag and the intriguing perspective shift in the storyline, Rogue delivers a unique, if overlooked, chapter in the Assassin's Creed continuum.

10. Assassin's Creed

The genesis of the decade-spanning franchise, Assassin's Creed introduces players to the age-old conflict between Assassins and Templars through the eyes of Altair, set against the backdrop of the Third Crusade. While its repetitive structure and rigid mission design show their age, the game lays the groundwork for what would become a groundbreaking series in terms of storytelling, world-building, and action-adventure gameplay.

Each entry of the Assassin's Creed franchise brings a unique piece to the grand tapestry of this action-packed stealth adventure, taking players on thrilling journeys through different eras, each effused with its own distinct flavor and excitement.