Unraveling Assassin's Creed's Intricate Timeline Before AC Mirage

The Assassin's Creed franchise, which debuted in 2007 on PS3 and Xbox 360, has become a staple in the gaming industry. With new releases almost every year, this time-traveling action-adventure series has taken players to various significant historical periods. After a brief break, the franchise is poised to regain attention with the upcoming release of Assassin's Creed Mirage this Fall.

Given the franchise's extensive history, newcomers to the Assassin's Creed series may feel overwhelmed and unsure about where to start. These games have covered centuries of time, with an overarching narrative that stretches from Ancient Egypt to the Second Industrial Revolution in Assassin's Creed Syndicate. New players can choose to follow the mainline games in chronological order, leading up to Assassin's Creed Mirage.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Kicking things off is Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which is set 400 years prior to any other mainline entry in the series. This installment takes place in Ancient Greece and offers players the option to play as either Alexios or Cassandra in a vast open world RPG. Throughout the game, players will have the opportunity to encounter renowned historical figures, including Socrates and Plato, as well as face off against mythical creatures like Cyclops and Medusa. Although the events in the game occur long before the establishment of the Assassin and Templar orders, the storyline still incorporates significant elements from the franchise, such as the discovery of a Piece of Eden.

Assassin's Creed Origins

Set in Ancient Egypt, Assassin's Creed Origins centers around Bayek, a skilled warrior driven by a deep desire for revenge after his son is brutally murdered. This installment of the Assassin's Creed series brings in more role-playing game elements and expands the open-world mechanics. In terms of the story, it also introduces the Order of the Ancients, a precursor to the Templar organization, and by the conclusion, Bayek emerges as one of the founding members of the league of Assassins, also known as the Hidden Ones.

Assassin's Creed Mirage

Assassin's Creed Mirage features Basim Ibn Ishaq, a young street thief, who becomes a pivotal character in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Ubisoft has provided hints about the plot, revealing that the game will revolve around Basim's journey to escape Baghdad in order to find the Hidden Ones, the organization established by Bayek in Assassin's Creed Origins. Moreover, it has been confirmed that this installment will prioritize gameplay in the historical setting, allowing players to immerse themselves in the past to their heart's content.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Building upon the RPG elements established in Origins and Odyssey, Valhalla stands out as the most expansive installment in the series, boasting a staggering 60 hours of gameplay solely for the main campaign. Set in the rich tapestry of Norse history and mythology, players now have the unprecedented ability to choose between a male or female protagonist, both of whom are named Eivor. The game delves deeper into the ongoing conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients, while also providing a satisfying conclusion to the modern-day narrative revolving around Layla Hassan, which first began in Origins and continued in Odyssey.

Assassin's Creed

Set in a future 300 years after Valhalla, the original game introduced players to Altair Ibn-La'Ahad and established many of the conventions that would solidify its success as one of the most captivating action-adventure series in the market. Assassin's Creed laid the foundation for the storyline revolving around the Pieces of Eden, delving deep into the conflict between the Assassin's and Templars. Moreover, in a captivating twist, the concept of the Animus was introduced, unveiling that players controlled these characters through a technologically advanced machine in the present day.

Assassin's Creed - Ezio Trilogy

The trilogy encompassing Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations showcases the captivating journey of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, an enthralling and determined protagonist seeking vengeance for the loss of his brother and father. However, as his quest progresses, Ezio unveils a profound and sinister conspiracy that thrusts him into the heart of the ongoing conflict between the Assassins and Templars.

Assassin's Creed - The Americas Trilogy

Flashing forward two centuries from the events of Assassin's Creed Revelations, the next trilogy of games unfolds in the 1700s and introduces three distinct protagonists. In Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, players assume the role of Edward Kenway and embark on thrilling naval adventures. Unexpectedly, Kenway inadvertently takes the life of an Assassin at the outset, thrusting himself into the ongoing conflict between the Assassins and Templars as he endeavors to locate a hidden First Civilization site known only as The Observatory. This gripping narrative continues in Assassin's Creed Rogue, where players follow the journey of Shay Patrick Cormac, an Irish-American Assassin turned Templar, on his quest to track down a powerful artifact called the Piece of Eden. Lastly, the saga concludes in Assassin's Creed 3, as Ratonhnhake "Connor" Kenway (grandson of Edward Kenway) emerges to safeguard the Grand Temple of the First Civilization from the clutches of the Templars.

Assassin's Creed Unity

Primarily taking place during the height of the French Revolution, spanning from 1789 to 1794, players are immersed in the journey of Arno Dorian, who, driven by a thirst for revenge, embarks on a quest. Similar to previous iterations, this installment features the inclusion of various notable historical figures, including the likes of Marquis de Sade and King Louis XVI. The parkour mechanics in Assassin's Creed reach their pinnacle in this edition, showcasing elegant acrobatics and daring leaps that bring to life the vibrant atmosphere of France during this tumultuous era.

Assassin's Creed Syndicate

Assassin's Creed Syndicate takes players to the bustling city of London during the late 1800s, amidst the transformative period of the Second Industrial Revolution. The game follows the journey of siblings Jacob and Evie Frye, who join forces to rid the city of Templar influence and search for a fabled Piece of Eden. With its immersive setting, the game introduces an array of enjoyable gadgets, including a grappling hook reminiscent of Batman's in Rocksteady's Arkham series.

Scheduled for release on October 12, 2023, Assassin's Creed Mirage will be available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.