TheAssassin’s Creedseries has evolved dramatically over the years, but at its core, it has retained an interlinked narrative between the Templars and the Order of Assassins.
While each game isprimarily appreciated for its unique settingand gameplay features above all else, some entries into the series are noteworthy for their exceptional story content too.
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The series would not quite be the same if it weren’t for the impactful stories of iconic protagonists such as Ezio and Altair, while others such as Arno, Edward, and Connor alsocontribute a lot to the in-game universe.
While every Assassin’s Creed title has its own self-contained story to one degree or another, the following titles are the most memorable for their dramatic moments, well-written dialogue, and meaningful events.
We will be discussing specific story beats from the series below, so some spoilers will be present.
10Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
A Crazy Journey Through The Viking World
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Fextralife Wiki
Assassin’s Creed Valhallaprobably has the most underrated story in the series, though that’s likely due to the fact that many players didn’t get to experience it because of the surrounding bloat of the rest of the game.
This entry has one of the most traumatic openings in video game history in which Eivor witnesses both his parents killed before getting ripped to shreds by a wolf.
Though many players felt that the fantasy elements of the game were a bit over-the-top for an Assassin’s Creed title, I personally enjoyed them. Having studied Viking rituals and Seidr, as well as the Vinland expedition in particular, Valhalla’s story was truly a delight as it takes you all over the Viking world.
Valhalla is massive and features several countries such as England, Ireland, France, and Norway, as well as regions like Vinland and the mystical Asgard. Though it can be a slog to get through, Valhalla’s story is a rewarding one which ties in heavily to the events of AC: Mirage.
9Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Revolution on the Streets of London
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Assassin’s Creed Syndicatetakes place in one of my favorite settings in the franchise, and its unique story is alsoone of the more political in the series.
While I personally enjoy this high-stakes atmosphere, I can appreciate that it is not to everyone’s liking. The dual-protagonists of Jacob and Evie Fry certainly introduce an interesting new dynamic to the series' storytelling, though it can occasionally come off as a bit fragmented and inconsequential.
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While Evie seeks a Piece of Eden located somewhere in the city of London, Jacob is more focussed on retaking the city’s boroughs from the control of the Templars.
Although not the strongest narrative in the series by any means, Syndicate certainly has its merits. The unique industrial backdrop enhances a lot of the overall atmosphere, and it’s worth mentioning that the modern-day Abstergo storyline is also quite different and innovative.
8Assassin’s Creed Rogue
A Highly Underrated AC Tale
Assassin’s Creed Rogue
Assassin’s Creed Rogueis definitely one of the more underappreciated titles in the series, perhaps due to its release coinciding with AC: Unity at a point when people were already quite burnt out with the franchise.
Taking us to North America during the Seven Years War, Assassin’s Creed Rogue focuses on Shay Cormac, a former assassin who now works alongside the Templars. This unique twist on the series gives us a whole new insight into the centuries-long war between them.
The game features iconic missions such as the Lisbon earthquake and historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin. The setting of 18th century New York City is also a great backdrop for the story, even if it doesn’t feel wholly unique compared to AC3.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue has many plot points which tie together the stories of AC3, AC4: Black Flag, and AC Unity, but its story is very solid in its own right, and Shay is an excellent protagonist.
7Assassin’s Creed Origins
Back Where It All Began
Assassin’s Creed Origins
When I first saw that the Assassin’s Creed series was heading to Egypt, I must admit that I was very excited. However, the new RPG-style of the game wasn’t particularly to my liking, and the occasional lack of narrative focus certainly felt like a weak point. With that said, whatOriginsdoes give us in terms of its story is a very good one.
After his son is murdered by a group of masked enemies known as the Order of the Ancients, Bayek of Siwa embarks ona monumental quest for revenge across Ancient Egypt.
As the game progresses, several key events unfold and mysteries are uncovered. Whether its Bayek’s exploration of the deep pyramid tombs or witnessing the assassination of Julius Caesar himself, Origins certainly delivers its fair share of iconic story moments.
Though Odyssey is technically set earlier in the overall series timeline, Origins is a great place to start nonetheless as it has more of an influence on the formation of the original assassin’s Brotherhood.
6Assassin’s Creed
The Genesis Of The Series
Assassin’s Creed
The first Assassin’s Creed game was truly revolutionary when it was first released back in 2007. I can still remember seeing the trailer for the first time and hearing Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’, desperately hoping to get my hands on the game.
What I didn’t expect was a story spanning two separate timelines and featuringjust as much sci-fi as historical fiction. The surprise was certainly a pleasant one as this complex dual-narrative quickly established itself as one worth paying attention to.
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Though the game is largely remembered for itsparkour mechanics and immersive environments, the first Assassin’s Creed storyline is truly a standout for many reasons.
In addition to Altair’s development from an arrogant and self-interested assassin to a more humble disciple of truth and justice, the game also delivers many memorable moments, such as the poisoned feast and the initial siege of Masyaf.
5Assassin’s Creed 3
Family Troubles On The American Frontier
Assassin’s Creed III
Taking place in colonial America during a 30-year period from 1754-1783, it’s fair to say thatAssassin’s Creed 3is one of the most historically significant games in the series in terms of the events that unfold.
Establishing a new story separate from the Ezio trilogy, Assassin’s Creed 3 is fondly remembered for its incredible setting and meaningful storytelling.
Centered around the journey of an indigenous assassin named Connor,the story weaves in many key historical eventsand puts players at the center of them.
What makes Assassin’s Creed 3 so good from a narrative point of view is the way in which it combines those grand set pieces with more touching themes of family and cultural diversity.
Overall, Assassin’s Creed 3 does a great job of putting its characters at the forefront of a very dramatic setting, and very few missions in the game feel like any kind of filler.
4Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
Taking On The Pirate’s Life
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagis not only a monumental title within the AC series, but also stands alone as thegreatest open-world pirate game ever made.
Edward Kenway’s tale of Caribbean conquest is one of the best in the series, particularly since he is not a conventional assassin of The Brotherhood like most other protagonists.
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Full of twists and turns as you might expect, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag covers territory ranging from distant romance and the desire for fortune to ancient mysteries and New World treasures.
Having Edward as an outsider to the Brotherhood and Templar wars was a great narrative decision andperfectly fits the explorative nature of the setting.
While it might not have quite the same emotional depth as some other titles in the series, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag’s story is every bit as good as its setting would suggest.
3Assassin’s Creed Revelations
Ezio’s Goodbye
Assassin’s Creed Revelations
The final installment in the Ezio trilogy is arguably the most significant in the Assassin’s Creed franchise as it ties together events from multiple timelines and showcases the development of the Order of Assassins.
While itwon’t make sense if you just play Revelations on its own, for players who have completed the first few games, this is the one that everything has been building up to.
Revelationsdoesn’t often get mentioned among the best games in the series, but in terms of its narrative, it is certainly one of the strongest.
Quests are focussed, and everything serves to further the story without any additional bloat. As an added bonus, the Constantinople setting is very nicely done and one of themost underrated open-world environments to explore.
2Assassin’s Creed Unity
Love Is In The Air
Assassin’s Creed Unity
Assassin’s Creed Unitygets a lot of praise for its parkour fluidity and stunning recreation of 18th Century Paris, but its story is also one of the most memorable in the entire series.
Given its setting, Unity is appropriately themost romantic of the Assassin’s Creed games. Arno’s relationship with Elise is particularly significant and has a deep history extending back to their childhoods.
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The backdrop of revolutionary Francealso has a dramatic impact on the plot, enabling Arno to be involved in events such as the Storming of the Bastille and The Thermidorian Reaction.
As an added bonus, Unity also features a mission set in WW2-era Paris, showcasing the city in a spectacular new way and adding a further degree of novelty to this standout title.
1Assassin’s Creed 2
A True Masterpiece From Floor To Rooftop
Assassin’s Creed 2
I think I speak for all the old-school fans of the series when I say thatAssassin’s Creed 2is not just the best game in the Assassin’s Creed series, but one of the best video games of all time, period.
One aspect which makes it so good is the fact that it is so well-written and acted. There are many iconic and emotional moments, the most memorable of which is when Ezio sees his family hangedin the Piazza della Signoria.
What follows is a brutal quest for revenge which takes him across several cities, including Venice and Monteriggioni as well as meetinghistorical figures like inventor Leonardo da Vinci.
Seeing Ezio develop from an obnoxious ruffian into one of the deadliest master assassins of all time is a truly epic journey to be a part of, and every bit worth revisiting even today.
There’s also significant development in the ‘future’ animus world with Desmond, and this is arguably the strongest title in the series when it comes to his story as well.
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