Do I Need to Play Assassin’s Creed 1 Before Assassin’s Creed 2? A Deep Dive
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The short answer is no, you don’t need to play Assassin’s Creed 1 (AC1) before diving into Assassin’s Creed 2 (AC2). While playing AC1 can enrich your overall experience, AC2 is designed to be accessible to newcomers. It introduces a new protagonist, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, and a largely self-contained story within the Renaissance Italy setting. However, the modern-day storyline, featuring Desmond Miles, is where AC1 knowledge becomes somewhat beneficial.
Understanding the Interconnected Narrative
The Assassin’s Creed series weaves a complex tapestry of historical fiction and present-day intrigue. Each game features a historical protagonist (like Altair in AC1 or Ezio in AC2) whose memories are accessed by Desmond Miles in the modern era. This modern-day storyline is the primary thread connecting all the games.
While Ezio’s story is relatively independent from Altair’s, Desmond’s narrative builds upon the events of AC1. You’ll understand the motivations of characters like Lucy Stillman and the overall purpose of the Animus (the machine used to relive ancestral memories) better if you’ve experienced AC1. But even without playing AC1, AC2 does a reasonable job of catching you up on the key plot points of the modern day story.
The Two Layers of Storytelling
It’s helpful to think of the Assassin’s Creed games as having two primary narrative layers:
- The Historical Narrative: This is the story of the assassin in the past (Altair, Ezio, etc.). Each game has a mostly complete story arc that can be enjoyed on its own.
- The Modern-Day Narrative: This story concerns Desmond Miles and the ongoing conflict between Assassins and Templars in the present. This narrative is more serialised and directly carries over from one game to the next.
Why AC2 Stands Alone
AC2 is widely considered a significant improvement over AC1 in terms of gameplay, story depth, and overall polish. It introduces many features that have become staples of the series, such as a larger open world, more diverse missions, and a compelling character arc for Ezio. This improvement in quality allows players to quickly become invested in the world and story, even without prior experience.
The focus shifts from the Middle Eastern setting of AC1 to Renaissance Italy, which provides a vibrant and visually stunning backdrop for Ezio’s quest for revenge and his involvement in the Assassin-Templar conflict. The difference in time periods and protagonists helps AC2 stand on its own.
Making an Informed Decision
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to play AC1 before AC2 depends on your personal preferences and gaming habits.
- Play AC1 first if: You want the most complete understanding of the modern-day story, enjoy experiencing games in chronological order, and don’t mind the relatively simpler gameplay of AC1.
- Start with AC2 if: You are more interested in the historical setting and gameplay mechanics, want to jump into what many consider the best game in the Ezio trilogy, or aren’t overly concerned about missing minor details in the modern-day narrative.
- Read a Summary of AC1: If you’re hesitant to commit to playing AC1 but want to understand the key plot points, reading a detailed summary or watching a playthrough can provide the necessary context without requiring a full playthrough. Many detailed summaries of AC1 are available online, often linked to fan wikis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you further understand the connection between AC1 and AC2, and the Assassin’s Creed series in general:
1. Are all the Assassin’s Creed games connected?
Yes, all Assassin’s Creed games are connected through the modern-day storyline and the overarching conflict between the Assassins and Templars. Recurring characters, the Isu (a precursor race), and Abstergo Industries also provide connections across the games.
2. In what order should I play the Assassin’s Creed games for the best story experience?
For the best story experience, playing the games in their release order is generally recommended: AC1, AC2, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, AC3, AC4: Black Flag, Assassin’s Creed: Rogue, Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, Assassin’s Creed: Origins, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage. This allows you to follow the modern-day storyline as it unfolds.
3. What if I want to experience the games in chronological historical order?
You can play the games in their historical timeline order: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (431 B.C.–422 B.C.), Assassin’s Creed Origins (49 B.C.–44 B.C.), Assassin’s Creed Mirage (861–???) , Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (872–878), Assassin’s Creed (1191), Assassin’s Creed II (1476–1499), Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (1499–1507). However, this can disrupt the flow of the modern-day storyline.
4. Can I skip any Assassin’s Creed games?
While technically you can skip any game, doing so might result in missing important plot developments or character introductions, particularly in the modern-day story. However, if you are primarily interested in the historical settings and characters, you can choose to focus on games that appeal to you the most.
5. Is Assassin’s Creed 1 worth playing in 2024?
AC1 can feel dated compared to later entries in the series. However, it remains a significant game in the franchise and offers a unique atmosphere and a compelling storyline. Its worth depends on your tolerance for older game mechanics and graphics.
6. Is Assassin’s Creed 2 better than Assassin’s Creed 1?
Most players agree that AC2 is a significant improvement over AC1. It features a more engaging story, a more charismatic protagonist, improved gameplay mechanics, and a larger, more diverse open world.
7. What is the “Ezio Collection,” and does it include AC1?
The “Ezio Collection” includes Assassin’s Creed 2, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, all featuring Ezio Auditore da Firenze. It does not include Assassin’s Creed 1.
8. Why isn’t Assassin’s Creed 1 in the Ezio Collection?
Ubisoft likely chose to focus on the Ezio trilogy because it is the most popular and commercially successful part of the series. Repackaging the original AC1 might have been seen as less profitable or less appealing to a broader audience.
9. What order should I play the Ezio trilogy?
Play the Ezio trilogy in release order: Assassin’s Creed 2, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations. This allows you to follow Ezio’s character development and the unfolding story arc across the three games.
10. Which Assassin’s Creed game is considered the strongest?
The “strongest” Assassin’s Creed game is subjective and varies depending on individual preferences. However, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is often cited due to Kassandra being an incredibly powerful character.
11. How long does it take to beat Assassin’s Creed 1?
On average, it takes about 15 hours to complete the main story of Assassin’s Creed 1. Completionists can expect to spend around 31 hours to achieve 100% completion.
12. Will I be completely lost if I start with Assassin’s Creed 2?
No, you won’t be completely lost. AC2 introduces a new protagonist and a largely self-contained story. While the modern-day segments might be slightly confusing at first, the game does provide enough context to follow along.
13. What should I do if I start AC2 and feel like I’m missing something?
If you feel lost starting with AC2, pause the game and research a summary of AC1’s plot, particularly the modern-day elements. This will provide you with the necessary context without requiring you to play the entire game.
14. Is the modern-day storyline essential to enjoying the Assassin’s Creed games?
The importance of the modern-day storyline is subjective. Some players find it crucial to the overall narrative, while others focus primarily on the historical settings and characters. You can still enjoy the historical aspects of the games even if you don’t fully grasp the modern-day elements.
15. Where can I learn more about the lore and history of the Assassin’s Creed universe?
There are several resources available to learn more about the Assassin’s Creed universe:
- Assassin’s Creed Wiki: This is a comprehensive online encyclopedia dedicated to the series, containing detailed information about characters, locations, events, and lore.
- YouTube: Many channels offer lore summaries, analysis, and explanations of the Assassin’s Creed universe.
- Games Learning Society: This website provides information about using games in learning contexts, including resources for understanding the historical and cultural aspects of the Assassin’s Creed series. Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.
Final Thoughts
While playing Assassin’s Creed 1 before Assassin’s Creed 2 can enhance your understanding of the overarching narrative, it is not strictly necessary. Assassin’s Creed 2 is designed to be accessible to new players, and its compelling story and improved gameplay make it a great starting point for exploring the Assassin’s Creed series. Ultimately, the choice is yours based on your personal preferences and gaming goals.