Which Assassin’s Creed Games Can You Skip Without Missing Out?

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The Assassin’s Creed franchise is a sprawling historical fiction epic, spanning centuries and continents. With over a dozen main installments and numerous spin-offs, diving in can feel daunting. So, the burning question for many newcomers (and even returning veterans) is: Which Assassin’s Creed games can I skip without missing crucial story beats or experiencing a significant drop in gameplay quality?

The honest answer? It depends on what you value. But here’s a breakdown to guide you:

• If you prioritize the overarching Modern Day narrative (Desmond Miles and beyond): Skipping becomes trickier. The Ezio trilogy (AC2, Brotherhood, Revelations) is essential. AC1, 2, 3, and Black Flag contain crucial modern-day plot developments, and you need to play all to understand the context.

• If you’re focused on the historical Assassin vs. Templar conflict: You have more leeway. Standalone titles like Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla offer self-contained stories within the overarching lore.

• Games that can be skipped (with caveats):

  • Assassin’s Creed: Revelations: While concluding Ezio’s story, it’s arguably the weakest entry in that trilogy. You’ll miss some character closure, but the main narrative threads are tied up in Brotherhood. However, the insight into Altair is valuable.

  • Assassin’s Creed Rogue: A decent game in its own right, but its story, while linking to Black Flag and AC3, isn’t vital to the overall narrative. It is a shorter game if you like to complete one every week or so.

  • Assassin’s Creed Unity: Despite its stunning visuals, its story is largely disconnected from the overarching plot, and its disastrous launch left a lasting negative impression. The game is more enjoyable in its updated state.

  • Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: Fun gameplay and a charming setting, but the story doesn’t significantly advance the core narrative or introduce elements crucial to later games. A good choice if you enjoy the Victorian London setting.

• Games that shouldn’t be skipped (if possible):

  • Assassin’s Creed 1: Sets the foundation for everything that follows, introducing the Assassins, Templars, and the Animus. Even with its dated gameplay, it’s worth experiencing for its historical importance.

  • Assassin’s Creed 2: Widely considered the best Assassin’s Creed game, it introduces Ezio Auditore, a fan-favorite protagonist, and expands upon the lore in meaningful ways.

  • Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood: Continues Ezio’s story, introduces key characters and locations (Rome), and deepens the Assassin vs. Templar conflict.

  • Assassin’s Creed 3: Concludes Desmond Miles’s story arc and introduces Connor Kenway, a complex and compelling Assassin in colonial America.

  • Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag: While Edward Kenway’s story is somewhat self-contained, the game explores themes of freedom and responsibility, adds a good amount of modern day lore, and features exceptional naval combat.

  • Assassin’s Creed Origins: A soft reboot of the franchise, introducing a new protagonist (Bayek) and a new setting (Ancient Egypt). The new combat system is good.

  • Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: Further refines the RPG elements introduced in Origins, offering a vast open world, engaging story, and compelling characters in Ancient Greece.

  • Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Continues the RPG direction, exploring Viking culture and mythology in England and Norway. A massive game with a deep story and satisfying combat.

Ultimately, it’s your choice.

Consider what aspects of the Assassin’s Creed universe you find most appealing and tailor your playthrough accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions that delve deeper into the complexities of choosing which Assassin’s Creed games to play and which ones to skip:

1. Do I really need to play Assassin’s Creed 1? The gameplay looks so dated.

   • While the gameplay can feel clunky compared to later installments, AC1 is the bedrock of the entire franchise. It establishes the core conflict and introduces crucial characters and concepts. If you’re invested in the overall lore, consider playing it, even if it’s just to experience the origin story. You can watch a story recap if you want to skip it.

2. Is Black Flag truly essential to the overarching Assassin’s Creed narrative?

   • While the story is more self-contained than other entries, Black Flag significantly expands the modern-day narrative and introduces the character of Edward Kenway, whose legacy has consequences in later games. The game is also incredible and should be played for the pirates alone.

3. I’ve heard Unity was a disaster at launch. Is it worth playing now?

   • Unity’s launch was plagued with bugs and performance issues, but many of these have been addressed through patches. If you’re drawn to the French Revolution setting and appreciate stunning visuals, it’s worth a try. However, the story is largely disconnected from the main plot.

4. How much do I miss by skipping Revelations after playing Brotherhood?

   • You miss Ezio’s final chapter and some closure for his character arc. Revelations also offers valuable insight into Altaïr’s later life. However, the main story threads are concluded in Brotherhood, making it the most skippable game in the Ezio trilogy.

5. Is Rogue just a reskin of Black Flag?

   • Rogue shares many gameplay mechanics with Black Flag, but it tells a unique story from a Templar perspective. It also bridges the gap between Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed III, offering context for events in both games. However, it’s not crucial to the overall narrative.

6. Are Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla connected? Can I skip one and still understand the others?

   • While set in different historical periods and featuring different protagonists, Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla share thematic similarities and build upon the RPG mechanics introduced in Origins. You can play them independently, but experiencing all three provides a richer understanding of the evolving lore and the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood.

7. I’m overwhelmed by the number of Assassin’s Creed games. Where should I start?

   • A good starting point is Assassin’s Creed 2. It’s considered one of the best in the series, introduces a beloved protagonist, and offers a compelling story that’s easy to get invested in. Alternatively, Origins is a great starting point due to it being a soft reboot.

8. Is the modern-day story important? I only care about the historical settings.

   • The importance of the modern-day story varies from game to game. In the earlier installments, it was integral to the plot. In later games, it’s often relegated to a secondary role. If you only care about the historical settings, you can safely skip many modern-day cutscenes, but be aware you’ll miss some overarching plot elements.

9. Which Assassin’s Creed game has the best gameplay mechanics?

   • This is subjective, but many consider Odyssey and Valhalla to have the most refined gameplay mechanics, thanks to their RPG elements, diverse skill trees, and engaging combat systems.

10. What are the easiest Assassin’s Creed games for beginners?

    • Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood and Assassin’s Creed 2 are some of the easiest Assassin’s Creed games.

11. Does it matter if I play the games out of chronological (release) order?

    • While playing in release order provides the most cohesive experience, it’s not strictly necessary. You can jump around, but be prepared to encounter minor spoilers and references to events in earlier games.

12. Are the spin-off games (like Chronicles or Liberation) worth playing?

    • The spin-off games offer unique gameplay experiences and explore different historical settings. However, they’re not essential to understanding the main narrative and can be skipped without missing major plot points. They can be really fun though.

13. Are there any games that explain the modern-day storyline well for those who skipped earlier games?

    • Not really. The modern-day narrative is spread across multiple games, and skipping earlier installments will leave you with gaps in your understanding. You’ll have to rely on online summaries or plot recaps to catch up.

14. Is there a definitive “best” Assassin’s Creed game?

    • Opinions vary, but Assassin’s Creed 2 and Black Flag are consistently ranked among the best due to their compelling stories, memorable characters, and engaging gameplay.

15. Can I learn more about the educational value of games like Assassin’s Creed?

    • Absolutely! Organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explore the potential of games for learning and engagement. Check out their website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to discover more.