Summary
For years,Assassin’s Creedhas set itself apart by offeringrichly recreated historical settings, filled with characters, locations, and events inspired by real-world history. Recent games have shifted from open-world stealth action to more expansive RPGs, giving players more freedom in combat and dialogue. However, the core of the series has remained constant: transporting players into thrilling, detailed worlds that are worth exploring.
Not all fans have welcomed the shift to a more open-world RPG approach. But regardless, Ubisoft’s ambition to broaden the series' appeal has led each installment to expand the depth and scope of its worlds, enhancing immersion and historical recreation. With fans now looking forward to the upcomingAssassin’s Creed Shadows, here’s a look back at the entries that mastered this immersive experience.
Matching the roaring success of the Ezio Trilogy was a challenging feat, butAssassin’s Creed 3rose to the occasion. After its launch, the game set a new benchmark for the entire open-world genre. The geme delivered a world of immense scope, multiple playable characters, and notably enhanced features like seamless traversal and fluid combat.
The setting of the American frontier isn’t the most exciting the series has to offer, as the world lacks complex cities and memorable locations. However, the experience of exploring the wilderness as a half-English, half-Mohawk protagonist is truly unmatched inAssassin’s Creed 3.This adds to the game’s immersive aspect and the feeling of playing as a deadly predator.
Assassin’s Creed Unitywas the series' first entry exclusive to new hardware (PS4 and Xbox One), and marked an ambitious leap by recreating Paris' architecture on a 1:1 scale. Though its launch was marred by technical issues, Unity was undeniably ahead of its time. The developers captured the charged atmosphere of revolutionary Paris with an immense sense of scale.
In the years following Ubisoft’s fixes, appreciation forUnityhas only grown. Today, the game’s standout features — includinghighly responsive parkour, refined combat mechanics, and bustling crowds — remain impressive, capturing the player’s imagination in the vibrant streets of Paris.
Assassin’s Creed Valhallastands as the series' most expansive entry to date, inviting players into vast landscapes spanning snow-laden Norway, lush Britain, gritty Francia, and even distant Vinland. It goes further, offering a Viking dream experience by incorporating mythological realms like Asgard, Jotunheim, and Svartalfheim. Players can delve into ancient Norse legends with a fresh perspective.
Valhallaalso features some of the franchise’s deepest lore, with twists and revelations that dedicated fans will particularly appreciate. It may not cater to both newcomers and long-time fans at once. However,Valhallasucceeds as anambitious Viking action-RPGwith an unmatched range of features and activities.
The originalAssassin’s Creed, launched in 2007, was a breakthrough title, introducing a unique and innovative gaming IP. Although it wasn’t without its flaws, it was a breath of fresh air. The game takes place in the rarely explored era of the Holy Land during the late 12th century — a time period brought to life with remarkable detail. The closest comparison to its setting is Ridley Scott’s filmKingdom of Heaven, which also explores themes of conflict and intrigue in the Crusades.
The game’s layered narrative, split into two parallel storylines, was unlike anything players had seen before. The game is often critiqued for its lackluster side content, a result of Ubisoft still refining its approach to open-world design. However,Assassin’s Creedremains the cornerstone of the franchise. It introduced hallmarks that persist throughout the series today, from atmospheric cities to the dark tone reflective of the historical turmoil of that time.
As an homage to the original game,Assassin’s Creed Miragealso deserves the attention of fans, particularly for its immersive experienceenhanced by full Arabic voiceover.
Assassin’s Creed Odysseystands out asone of the most lighthearted and visually vibrantentries in the series. It immerses players in an idyllic Ancient Greece, where the sunny landscapes complement a world rich with wine, poetry, music, and philosophical quandaries. With a colossal map filled with exciting locations,Odysseyoffers nearly endless exploration. Players can engage in thrilling naval battles and mythical creature confrontations, or uncover the game’s intricate lore.
Continuing the educational Discovery Tour feature introduced inOrigins,Odysseyallows players to learn about Ancient Greek culture and history in an interactive way. Its protagonist choice, letting fans play as either Kassandra or Alexios, further boosts the game’s immersion, making the experience feel personal and unique.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagis one of the most universally praised entries in the series, celebrated for its captivating characters, storyline, and immersive pirate-themed romance. Even years after its release,Black Flagstands as the ultimate pirate game. It set a high bar that Ubisoft itselfstruggled to meet in its more recent release,Skull & Bones, which left some fans disappointed in comparison.
With one of the most expansive worlds in the franchise,Black Flagemphasizes sea exploration and features near-perfect naval combat, appealing to fans of any pirate adventure. Throughout the game, players remain engaged by its well-paced narrative and story full of high-seas excitement and bold adventures.
The Ezio Trilogygames (Assassin’s Creed 2,Brotherhood, andRevelations) remain among the most cherished entries in theAssassin’s Creedseries. These not only feature captivating characters and storylines, but also an exceptional Renaissance setting.Assassin’s Creed 2was a remarkable leap forward from the original in every department, immersing players in the vibrant landscapes of late 15th-century Italy. The game was enhanced by Jesper Kyd’s memorable score and cutting-edge graphics, which made the journey through places like Florence and Venice truly unforgettable.
Assassin’s Creed 2may not be as visually stunning by today’s standards. However, its impact was crucial in establishing the series' long-lasting popularity and introducing the hallmarks that have defined the franchise since.
Assassin’s Creed Originsset the foundation for the modern direction of the series, taking inspiration from popular action-RPGs likeThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This shift, though met with mixed reactions, marked a defining moment forAssassin’s Creed, especially in how it captured Ancient Egypt’s Ptolemaic era and all of its hallmarks with rich detail.
From mirage-filled desertsto ancient tombs laden with traps and treasures, the game masterfully brought Egypt to life. Its immersive elements include bustling cities, naval missions, climbing the Great Pyramid or the Sphinx, riding camels, and even battling crocodiles.Originswas also the first to introduce the Discovery Tour. This allowed players to explore this meticulously crafted world while learning about its historical context. The feature underscored the game’s historical accuracy and educational value, further solidifying its standing as one of the series' most immersive entries.
