Which Assassin’s Creed Should Beginners Start With? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
So, you’re ready to leap of faith into the sprawling world of Assassin’s Creed! Welcome, initiate! But with over a dozen main entries, where do you even begin? The answer, surprisingly, isn’t always the first game. For newcomers, the universally recommended starting point is Assassin’s Creed II. It offers a compelling narrative, improved gameplay mechanics, and a welcoming introduction to the series’ core themes without demanding prior knowledge. Let’s delve deeper into why ACII is the perfect entry point and explore alternative options, plus answer all those burning questions you might have.
Why Assassin’s Creed II is Ideal for Beginners
Assassin’s Creed II strikes a perfect balance between accessibility, narrative depth, and engaging gameplay. Here’s a breakdown:
- Engaging Story: ACII introduces Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a charismatic and relatable protagonist whose personal journey of revenge unfolds against the backdrop of Renaissance Italy. The storyline is captivating and easy to follow, drawing you into the Assassin-Templar conflict without overwhelming you with convoluted lore.
- Improved Gameplay Mechanics: Compared to the original Assassin’s Creed, ACII features significantly refined combat, parkour, and stealth mechanics. These improvements make the game more enjoyable and less frustrating for new players. You’ll actually want to climb those towers and take down targets.
- Relatively Self-Contained Narrative: While ACII builds upon the modern-day storyline introduced in the first game, it provides a comprehensive recap for newcomers. You won’t feel lost if you haven’t played the original, allowing you to dive straight into Ezio’s story without feeling like you’re missing crucial details.
- A Taste of Everything: ACII showcases the core elements that define the Assassin’s Creed franchise: historical settings, open-world exploration, parkour, stealth, combat, and a deep conspiracy narrative. It’s a great way to determine if the series’ blend of these elements appeals to you.
- Accessibility: The game’s difficulty is well-balanced, offering a challenge without being overly punishing. The learning curve is gentle, allowing you to gradually master the game’s mechanics.
Alternatives to Assassin’s Creed II
While ACII is the top recommendation, other entries can also serve as decent starting points, depending on your preferences:
- Assassin’s Creed Origins: Set in Ancient Egypt, Origins boasts a beautiful open world, a compelling story, and a revamped combat system that leans more towards action RPG. While it deviates from the classic Assassin’s Creed formula, it’s a visually stunning and engaging experience. However, be aware that its RPG mechanics might be overwhelming for some beginners.
- Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag: If you’re drawn to the idea of being a pirate, Black Flag is an excellent choice. It focuses heavily on naval combat and exploration, offering a unique and addictive gameplay loop. However, it’s less focused on traditional Assassin’s Creed gameplay, which might not provide a representative experience of the entire franchise.
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage: This recent installment is designed to be a love letter to the earlier games, emphasizing stealth and parkour. It’s a shorter, more focused experience that might be a good introduction for those intimidated by the larger open-world games.
Games You Might Want to Avoid Starting With
Certain Assassin’s Creed titles are best left for later, especially for beginners:
- Assassin’s Creed I: While historically important, the original Assassin’s Creed features clunky controls, repetitive missions, and a less compelling story compared to its sequels. It’s also very different from later installments.
- Assassin’s Creed Unity: While visually impressive, Unity suffered from numerous technical issues at launch and features a more complex combat system.
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Valhalla is a massive open-world RPG with a sprawling storyline and numerous side activities. It can be overwhelming for newcomers and doesn’t fully represent the core Assassin’s Creed experience.
Understanding the Modern-Day Storyline
One aspect of the Assassin’s Creed games that can be confusing is the modern-day storyline featuring the Animus, a device that allows users to relive the memories of their ancestors. While this storyline is present in all the games, its importance varies. In ACII, the modern-day segments are relatively brief and serve primarily to provide context for the historical events. Don’t worry too much about understanding every detail right away. Focus on the historical storyline, and the modern-day elements will gradually become clearer as you progress through the series. The Games Learning Society studies games to show how education and narrative-driven entertainment can co-exist. You can find out more about the GamesLearningSociety.org at this link: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I have to play the first Assassin’s Creed game?
No, you don’t have to. While it introduces the series’ core concepts and characters, Assassin’s Creed II provides a sufficient recap to understand the overarching storyline. The first game’s gameplay is also significantly less polished than later installments.
2. Is the Ezio Collection worth it?
Absolutely! The Ezio Collection includes Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations, all featuring the same protagonist and continuing storyline. These games are widely regarded as some of the best in the series. If you enjoy ACII, the Ezio Collection is a must-play.
3. Are the Assassin’s Creed games historically accurate?
While the games are set in historical periods and feature real-world locations and figures, they are ultimately works of fiction. The Assassin-Templar conflict and many of the events depicted are fictionalized for entertainment purposes.
4. Which Assassin’s Creed game has the best story?
Assassin’s Creed II, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood are often cited as having the best stories, but its largely up to personal taste.
5. What is the easiest Assassin’s Creed game?
Many players find Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood to be the easiest, due to its forgiving combat and the ability to summon assassin recruits for assistance. Assassin’s Creed II is also a relatively easy and accessible game for beginners.
6. Which Assassin’s Creed game is the most difficult?
The original Assassin’s Creed is often considered more difficult due to its clunky controls and challenging combat. Some of the newer titles, like Origins and Odyssey, also offer higher difficulty settings for more experienced players.
7. Is Assassin’s Creed a good game for beginners in general?
Yes, many of the Assassin’s Creed games are good entry points for beginners especially Assassin’s Creed II.
8. Can I start with any Assassin’s Creed game?
Technically, yes, but some games are more beginner-friendly than others. Starting with ACII, Origins, or Black Flag is generally recommended.
9. Does the order of Assassin’s Creed games matter?
The overall story contains chronological events but the historical segments within each game do not. Starting with the first games and working through the series is an option, but starting with a more beginner-friendly option like ACII, Origins or Black Flag is another good option.
10. Which Assassin’s Creed is longer: Odyssey or Origins?
Odyssey is significantly longer than Origins, clocking in at around 45 hours for the main story, compared to Origins’ 30 hours. Valhalla is the longest of the series at roughly 60 hours for the main story alone.
11. Which Assassin’s Creed game should I skip?
This depends on your preferences, but many players skip Assassin’s Creed Unity due to its technical issues and some skip Brotherhood and Revelations if they don’t like Ezio.
12. Why is Assassin’s Creed so popular?
Assassin’s Creed is popular due to its unique blend of historical settings, open-world exploration, stealth gameplay, and a deep conspiracy narrative. The series offers something for everyone, from history buffs to action fans.
13. Is Odyssey or Origins bigger?
Odyssey’s map is larger than Origins’ map, offering more open-world to explore.
14. Which Assassin’s Creed has the best graphics?
Recent Assassin’s Creed games like Valhalla and Odyssey have top-tier graphics, with stunning environments and detailed character models.
15. Is Assassin’s Creed open world?
Yes, most Assassin’s Creed games feature large, open-world environments that players can freely explore. Assassin’s Creed II offers a great open world to get lost in while being fun and relatively easy.