Assassin's Creed Shadows, the latest installment in this sprawling franchise, might seem chronologically misplaced. Set in feudal Japan, it occupies a middle ground in the series' complex, non-linear timeline. Unlike a typical historical progression, Assassin's Creed jumps through centuries, exploring pivotal moments from Ancient Greece's Peloponnesian War to the brink of World War I. With 14 mainline games and counting, piecing together this intricate tapestry of history and lore can be challenging. This chronological timeline, meticulously researched, clarifies the overarching narrative and how each game contributes to the series' centuries-long saga.
The Isu Era: 75,000 BCE
Before we delve into the historical timeline, understanding the Isu is crucial. This advanced, god-like civilization ruled Earth, creating humanity as their subservient race. Control was maintained through powerful artifacts known as the Apples of Eden. However, humanity's inherent desire for freedom led Eve and Adam to steal an Apple, sparking a decade-long war that ended abruptly with a devastating solar flare, obliterating the Isu and leaving humanity to inherit the planet.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: 431 to 422 BCE - Peloponnesian War
Amidst the chaos of the Peloponnesian War, mercenary Kassandra uncovers the Cult of Kosmos, a clandestine organization manipulating the conflict. Her journey reveals a connection to her brother, Alexios, a demigod-like weapon created by the Cult due to his Isu lineage. Kassandra confronts the Cult, ultimately thwarting their plans to control Greece using an Isu device that predicts the future. Her quest reunites her with her father, Pythagoras, another Isu descendant, who bestows upon her the Staff of Hermes, granting immortality and appointing her guardian of Atlantis.
Assassin’s Creed Origins: 49 to 43 BCE - Ptolemaic Egypt
During Cleopatra's reign, Bayek and his wife Aya confront The Order of the Ancients, another shadowy organization collaborating with the Cult of Kosmos. Their personal tragedy—the loss of their son—fuels their quest to dismantle The Order, which secretly controls Egypt. Their efforts lead to the creation of The Hidden Ones, a precursor to the Assassin Brotherhood, dedicated to combating The Order's global conspiracy.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage: 861 - Islamic Golden Age
Centuries later, Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief in Baghdad, undergoes assassin training in Alamut. His investigations into The Order of the Ancients lead him to an Isu temple, revealing a technologically advanced prison holding Loki, an Isu considered a god by the Norse. Basim discovers his own connection to Loki and sets out on a path of revenge.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: 872 to 878 - Viking Invasion of England
Basim accompanies Vikings to England, continuing his pursuit of The Order of the Ancients. Eivor and Sigurd, the Viking leaders, are revealed to be reincarnations of Odin and Týr, who imprisoned Loki. Basim's quest for revenge leads to a confrontation, resulting in Basim's imprisonment within a simulated world generated by the Yggdrasil Isu computer.
Assassin’s Creed: 1191 - Third Crusade
The Hidden Ones evolve into the Assassin Brotherhood, facing the Knights Templar, the transformed Order of the Ancients. Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's journey involves stealing an Apple of Eden, exposing Al Mualim's betrayal and ultimately leading to Altaïr's ascension as Brotherhood leader.
Assassin’s Creed 2: 1476 to 1499 - Italian Renaissance
Ezio Auditore da Firenze's quest for revenge against the Templars leads him to an Apple of Eden, revealing a hidden Isu vault beneath the Vatican. His confrontation with Rodrigo Borgia, the Templar Grand Master and Pope, culminates in Ezio's discovery of a message from Minerva, warning of an impending apocalypse.
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood: 1499 to 1507 - Italian Renaissance
Ezio rebuilds the weakened Assassin Brotherhood in Rome, reclaiming the Apple of Eden and securing it within an Isu vault.
Assassin’s Creed Revelations: 1511 to 1512 - Ottoman Civil War
Ezio's search for Isu knowledge leads him to Altaïr's library in Masyaf, where he discovers a message from Jupiter revealing the location of the Grand Temple. Ezio's discoveries are left for a future observer.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows: 1579 - Sengoku Period
In 16th-century Japan, Yasuke, an African mercenary, finds himself entangled in the Sengoku period, encountering Oda Nobunaga and forging an unlikely alliance with Naoe.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag: 1715 to 1722 - Golden Age of Piracy
Edward Kenway's involvement with the Templars leads him to the Observatory, an Isu device capable of global surveillance. His quest to obtain it involves alliances with pirates and a final confrontation with Bartholomew Roberts.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue: 1752 to 1776 - French and Indian War
Shay Patrick Cormac's disillusionment with the Assassins leads him to the Templars, where he plays a pivotal role in the French and Indian War and later suggests a revolution in France.
Assassin’s Creed 3: 1754 to 1783 - American Revolution
Connor Kenway's journey for revenge and his role in the American Revolution intertwines with his father, Haytham Kenway, a Templar Grand Master. Connor's quest culminates in a final confrontation with his father.
Assassin’s Creed Liberation: 1765 to 1777 - Spanish Occupation of Louisiana
Aveline de Grandpré's fight against the Templars in New Orleans involves uncovering a conspiracy involving slaves and an Isu device, the Prophecy Disk.
Assassin’s Creed Unity: 1789 to 1794 - French Revolution
Arno Dorian's journey through the French Revolution involves uncovering a Templar plot and a final confrontation with François-Thomas Germain, a Sage.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: 1868 - Victorian England
Jacob and Evie Frye's struggle against the Templars in Victorian London centers on the acquisition of The Shroud, an Isu artifact.
Transition Period: 1914 to 2012
The Templars establish Abstergo Industries, using the Animus to explore the memories of ancestors in search of Isu technology.
Assassin’s Creed 1, 2, Brotherhood, Revelations, and 3: 2012
Desmond Miles's journey through the Animus, guided by the Assassins, leads to the discovery of the Grand Temple and a final sacrifice to prevent the apocalypse.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag: 2013
Abstergo's continued pursuit of Isu technology through Edward Kenway's memories leads to the discovery of the modern-day Sage.
Assassin’s Creed Unity: 2014
An initiate explores Arno Dorian's memories, searching for the remains of François-Thomas Germain.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: 2015
The initiate's exploration of Jacob and Evie Frye's memories reveals Abstergo's plans for The Shroud.
Assassin’s Creed Origins: 2017
Layla Hassan's use of Bayek and Aya's DNA leads to her recruitment by the Assassins.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: 2018
Layla's exploration of Kassandra's memories reveals Atlantis and the Staff of Hermes.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: 2020
Layla's journey through Eivor's memories leads to the Yggdrasil computer and a confrontation with Basim.
