Ubisoft's newest stealth-action title, Assassin's Creed Shadows, has arrived - but how does it stack up against its predecessors? We're turning to our community to settle this debate. While over 30 games bear the Assassin's Creed name, we're focusing exclusively on mainline entries, excluding mobile releases, side-scrollers, VR experiences, and spin-offs.
The Evolution of Assassin's Creed
The franchise began in 2007 with Desmond Miles exploring Altaïr's memories, evolving to the 16th-century Japan setting of Shadows featuring dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke. This 14th core installment represents nearly two decades of franchise growth. Below is my personal tier ranking based on gameplay enjoyment:
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remains my personal favorite, combining naval exploration, ship combat, and memorable characters into the series' most complete experience. It shares the S-tier with Assassin's Creed 2, which truly established the franchise. Some may question my Valhalla placement, but its Viking combat system and Orlog minigame won me over, alongside Unity's still-stunning Parisian revolution setting.
Share Your Rankings
Disagree with my choices? Feel Valhalla's content was excessive? Think Assassin's Creed 2 is overrated? Create your own tier list below to compare with the IGN community by ranking these mainline titles into S, A, B, C, and D tiers.
The Future of Assassin's Creed
Have you begun playing Assassin's Creed Shadows? Where should the series explore next? Share your location ideas and ranking rationale in the comments below.
