The Most Shocking and Grim Finales in Assassin's Creed Games, Ranked

Article Key Points

The endings of

Assassin's Creed

games have achieved darker levels than expected, with bizarre, angering, and frequently sad moments that leave players mixed.

Some games, like

Assassin's Creed Origins

and

Assassin's Creed Unity

, have melancholy endings that leave players questioning the nature of revenge and the purpose of their actions.

The darkest ending in the series is the conclusion of the Desmond Miles story in

Assassin's Creed 3

, where Desmond sacrifices himself to stop an apocalyptic event, adding to the overall bleakness of the franchise.

The Assassin's Creed franchise is captivating, enduring, and continually engaging players with its modern approach to gameplay. Ubisoft has successfully crafted a diverse collection of captivating stories, featuring numerous characters entrenched in blood-soaked history. As a result, it comes as no surprise that not every narrative concludes with a happy ending.

Yet, the level of darkness that permeates the endings of Assassin's Creed games surpasses the expectations and desires of many fans. These concluding moments are often unsettling, at times perplexing, and frequently evoke a sense of sadness.

8. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Platform(s) Stadia, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SReleased November 10, 2020Developer(s) Ubisoft

The modern-day storyline and endings in the most recent Assassin's Creed games are not as prominent compared to the older ones. Nevertheless, the departure of Layla was somewhat heartbreaking, even though it was her decision to sacrifice her mortal body in order to prevent future disasters for The Reader.

Additionally, considering Norse culture's eventual decline, Eivor's success would ultimately be short-lived. The fact that modern-day Basim has unrestricted control over the Staff of Hermes adds to the sense that any triumph in the game was merely temporary. Valhalla, with its pervasive darkness and reputation as one of the most challenging games in the franchise, left many players feeling ambivalent about this ending.

7. Assassin’s Creed Origins

Assassin's Creed Origins

Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PC, StadiaReleased December 15, 2020Developer(s) Ubisoft

The tale of Bayek and Aya revolved around revenge, resulting in a sense of fulfillment. However, various aspects of the Origins' conclusion left a lingering feeling of sadness. It raised questions among players regarding the true nature of revenge and its inability to offer genuine satisfaction.

Moreover, the bittersweet ending saw Bayek and Aya part ways, embarking on separate paths to establish the Hidden Ones, the new order of assassins. While this was a melancholic yet logical conclusion for both characters, it marked the end of one of the franchise's most beloved romances. Nevertheless, Origins and its narrative have gained immense admiration from numerous fans as an exceptional prequel to the other captivating Assassin stories.

6. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

Platform(s) PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, macOS, SwitchReleased November 16, 2010Developer(s) Ubisoft

The game Brotherhood was a captivating addition to the Assassin's Creed series. Originally unplanned, Ubisoft made the decision to include it during the development of Assassin's Creed 2 in order to further Ezio's story. While the game concludes with Ezio's triumph over the Borgia family, there is a prevailing sense of sadness.

The source of this sadness primarily stems from a startling and unconventional twist in the modern-day storyline. In this twist, Desmond's body is manipulated by Juno and he is compelled to fatally stab Lucy, a member of the modern-day assassin faction. Lucy's untimely demise marks a significant loss for the group that had been battling against the Templars, leaving players stunned and shaken.

5. Assassin’s Creed Unity

Assassin's Creed Unity

Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PC, StadiaReleased November 11, 2014Developer(s) Ubisoft

Assassin's Creed Unity offers a unique take on the franchise with its stunning Parisian setting and intriguing characters. However, the story has received some criticism due to its abrupt finale.

In this concluding scene, Arno and Elise confront Germain, who they discover to be the sought-after Sage. Despite their victory, Elise tragically loses her life as she is fatally wounded by de Molay's sword. Shortly after her death, Arno delivers a solemn monologue where he expresses his changed beliefs in the creed and his determination to honor Elise's memory. Nevertheless, this sudden and devastating conclusion leaves the audience with a sense of darkness and confusion.

4. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations

Assassin's Creed Revelations

Platform(s) PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, PCReleased November 15, 2011Developer(s) Ubisoft Montreal

The difference between truly dark endings and melancholic sadness is evident. "Revelations" marked the culmination of Ezio Auditore and Altair's journeys, the beloved heroes of the Assassin's Creed series. Their captivating 16th-century adventures evoked a deep emotional response. Altair's life story, filled with profound sorrow, mirrored the numerous losses endured by Ezio, intensifying players' emotions. When Ezio ultimately chose life over perpetual conflict, fans experienced a bittersweet and poignant moment, reflecting on the profound darkness that permeated the franchise through their lives.

3. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

Assassin's Creed 4

Platform(s) PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, Wii U, PC, StadiaReleased October 29, 2013Developer(s) Ubisoft Montreal

The pirate-centric entry in the Assassin's Creed series is widely adored and sets itself apart for various reasons. However, it also contains some grim moments, including the demise of Blackbeard and the disintegration of the pirate haven in Nassau. On top of these peculiar gameplay choices, the story leaves a lasting impression.

Nevertheless, the conclusion takes a dark turn as Edward, following the loss of his wife, decides to return to England with his children. Unveiling one of them as the future antagonist Haytham Kenway, this revelation casts a shadow on both Edward and the character's future. Highlighting the distressing destinies of these individuals, the modern-day storyline is equally somber. It revolves around the efforts of the modern Sage to resurrect Juno, adding to the overall darkness of the narrative.

2. Assassin’s Creed Rogue

Assassin's Creed Rogue

Platform(s) PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, StadiaReleased November 11, 2014Developer(s) Ubisoft

Rogue stands out in the series as it presents a unique perspective, allowing players to experience the game solely through the eyes of a Templar working alongside Haytham Kenway. What sets this game apart even further is that it is the only installment in the franchise where the Templars emerge victorious, as Shay succeeds in assassinating Charles Dorian and recovering the precursor box.

Throughout the game, the actions of the assassins constantly challenge players to question which side in this conflict truly represents good versus evil. The dark and unsettling conclusion, with the notorious antagonist Kenway achieving a significant triumph, adds to the overall grimness of the ending. Particularly noteworthy is the offer given to the unnamed modern-day player character in their final moments - either join the Templars or face certain death.

1. Assassin’s Creed 3

Assassin's Creed 3

Platform(s) PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, Wii U, PC, StadiaReleased October 30, 2012Developer(s) Ubisoft Montreal

The most grim conclusion in the entire series was the ending of Desmond Miles' story. Despite already giving and sacrificing a great deal, Desmond's tale reached its end with his selfless act of sacrificing himself to prevent an apocalyptic event that would have destroyed the Earth.

This narrative is intertwined with the journey of Connor, who successfully assassinates Charles Lee and achieves victory, only to discover that his tribe has been annihilated despite his efforts. His people continue to face oppression, leading Connor to make a solemn vow to persistently fight for a brighter future as an assassin. Combined with Desmond's demise, this somber historical conclusion contributes to the franchise's overall darkest ending.

Editor's P/S

1. In my opinion, the most shocking and grim finale in the Assassin's Creed series is the conclusion of the Desmond Miles story in Assassin's Creed 3. In this ending, Desmond sacrifices himself to stop an apocalyptic event, adding to the overall bleakness of the franchise. This ending is particularly shocking because it is unexpected and leaves players with a sense of despair. It also raises questions about the nature of sacrifice and the futility of fighting against fate.

2. Another grim finale in the Assassin's Creed series is the ending of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. In this ending, Desmond's body is manipulated by Juno and he is compelled to fatally stab Lucy, a member of the modern-day assassin faction. Lucy's untimely demise marks a significant loss for the group that had been battling against the Templars, leaving players stunned and shaken. This ending is particularly grim because it is not only unexpected, but also because it highlights the lengths to which the Templars will go to achieve their goals. It also raises questions about the nature of free will and the power of the mind.