The Assassin’s Creed franchise has been a long-running one that has expanded across platforms and consoles alike. Each of the titles has an interesting storyline that ties into the overarching idea of stitching together stories from the present and the past. Many critics and gaming studios criticize the franchise for a number of reasons, ranging from not changing up the gameplay or changing it too much in recent times.
There is an increasing need for services such as game compliance testing as it can directly impact the reception of the game in the beginning parts of their releases. Let’s delve into the continuation of ranking every assassin’s creed game to exist and see how they have progressed over the years:
6. Assassin’s Creed: Origins
This was the entry into the role-playing game format of assassin’s creed games and there has been a mixed reception to it for that very reason. Ubisoft decided to completely change up the formula from the franchise being a character-driven action-adventure genre to an open-world role-playing game. This implied that the game was going to be a lot bigger in scope and the stories are going to be a lot more in number as the side-missions and the sprawling world can have mysteries to discover for months on end. Origins has a very strong connective thread that links back to the previous games but is also very new in terms of story-telling and gameplay mechanics. As compared to the other two RPG titles from Part 1, the story and characters are much better fleshed out as there are no options in dialogue. The narrative team and the animation team have richly animated characters and the setting, wherein different parts of Ancient Egypt can be explored to the players’ content. The eery feeling of exploring darkened tombs is contrasted with beautiful sceneries with oases and enemy encampments in the desert.
5. Assassin’s Creed 3
This game came out at the most opportune time as it was the first title, I got to play on a Playstation 3. Along with vast open-world areas and a heart-wrenching story about American History, the player gets to journey along with Connor and his struggles with being an aboriginal in a world of Americans. AC 3 ties in a strong philosophical question about race and familial relationships that no other title in the series has done better. There are many iconic moments in the game that makes one question whether the assassins’ intentions are actually good all the time. The combat is one of the most satisfying in the series with brutal finishers and good options of gadgets that can be toggled between which can double down as hunting weapons for crafting purposes.
4. Assassin’s Creed: 2
Assassin’s Creed 2 is unanimously most fans’ favorite assassin’s creed title of all time. This is for good reason; it marks the beginning of Ezio’s journey to becoming a master assassin towards the end of the three-part series. It also ended up being the core identity of the whole assassin’s creed series and has remained that way even in the face of newer releases.
Along with personalities such as Leonardo da Vinci being a friend and a mentor figure, it weaves real-life elements into the setting in ancient Italy that is to this day iconic of the franchise. As any sequel should, this game took elements such as the hidden blade in the first release and made it even better by giving dual hidden blades to the player to use. An improved story and being able to use a gun along with experiencing Ezio’s 20-year revenge story to becoming a full-fledged assassin, this game allows the player to explore the origin story of one of the most beloved characters in video game history.
3. Assassin’s Creed: Unity
Assassin’s Creed Unity is the modern vision for the assassin fantasy realized before it was changed forever with Origins. The game could have benefited from a longer release cycle so it was more polished but it is one of the few assassin’s creed titles that deliver on the dream of being an assassin. The game looks and feels incredible as it takes the DNA of the previous games and pushes the boundaries further to what is true to the identity of the series. There are crowd events and explorable indoors that are complimented by multiple paths to missions and opportunities to create new playable experiences in most missions across the game. The fluid animations and traversal along with heavy customization available are also accentuated by having multi-player and co-op missions exist in the same game ecosystem.
Unlike Origins, it does not try to rewrite the DNA of the franchise but sticks to the path that the previous releases had taken by feeling like one of the best assassin’s creed experiences to exist. This is a game that was made for people that loved what had come before and also for people who were looking for something interesting enough to delve into for the first time.
2. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Acting as a sequel to Assassin’s Creed 2, Ezio has reached his pinnacle of assassin capabilities. As a fully-fledged assassin, he works with the brotherhood to help citizens fight against atrocities that are caused by templars, fanatics, and the government. Set in Ancient Rome, the city is incredible with the most detailed art direction one can witness in a video game title. There are so many great set pieces and unforgettable side content that can keep one engaged for a good time. The focus on the assassin fantasy is strong, as the game expands on the premises set down by the first title and expands it to new characters and locations with extreme ease and elegance.
The gameplay is mildly dated, but to this day- it is one of the few assassin’s creed titles that holds true as a wholesome experience with being able to do everything that one could imagine an assassin being able to do.
1. Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag
In theory, and according to a lot of fans, this game is not exactly the most heart-felt assassin’s creed title. Even though that is the case, it is at the top of this list for many reasons. It has the most nuanced storytelling for a video game that I’ve ever played. The whole assassin fantasy is not even explored until after a few hours of playing as a mercenary and pirate, but this game tells the story of a vagabond turned hero in the most interesting manner possible. Edward Kenway is one of the most awe-inspiring assassins to exist as the player begins the game, he seems like the most undeserving character to hold praise.
Along the events of the game, he becomes more selfless and caring for his mates and pirate buddies alike. The game is astoundingly beautiful with a ship (the Jackdaw) that he helms through the waters of the West Indies, during the golden age of piracy in the 18th century. I spent the most time playing this unforgettable game, which represents what Valhalla tries so hard to represent- that is balance two starkly different fantasies. Edward feels like a pirate for the most part, but he also attributes the characteristics of a true assassin. This delicate balance is struck at many points in the game that nails different spots in the world such as towns, jungles, islands, and even underwater. Meandering across the Caribbean, the player gets to meet a number of memorable characters that evoke strong emotions due to the plot points and story beats that are dealt with.
The newer assassin’s creed games have changed the series for better or for worse. Many fans are let down by the recent releases whilst some think it’s a breath of fresh air. This has been our list of assassin’s creed titles over the years. What did you think of the recent change to a role-playing game format? Is the assassin’s creed franchise losing its identity, or creating a new one worth remembering? Let us know down in the comments!
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