Assassin’s Creed: Where to Start in 2026?
The Assassin’s Creed series has over 15 main games, so it’s easy for newcomers to get lost. The good news is that you don’t have to play through every single one.
If you want the classic Assassin’s Creed experience
Start with Assassin’s Creed II. It was Ezio Auditore’s story that made the series a cult classic. After that, you can play Brotherhood and Revelations—one of the best trilogies in Ubisoft’s history.
If you’re interested in modern RPGs
The best place to start is Assassin’s Creed Origins. This is where the series transitioned to the format of a full-fledged open-world RPG, featuring character progression and hundreds of quests.
After Origins, you can move on to:
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey;
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla;
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Shadows, released in 2025, transports players to feudal Japan and is the latest major RPG installment in the series.
If you’re looking for the stealth and atmosphere of the older games,
then you should check out Assassin’s Creed Mirage. The game puts the focus back on stealth kills, parkour, and compact cities instead of vast open worlds.
The Best Order for a Beginner in 2026
- Assassin’s Creed II
- Assassin’s Creed Origins
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows
This approach lets you experience the best parts of the series’ evolution without having to play through dozens of older games.
Verdict
If you only have time for one game, go with Assassin’s Creed Origins. If you want the freshest experience, choose Assassin’s Creed Shadows. And to get acquainted with the series’ classics, there’s still no better option than Ezio’s story in Assassin’s Creed II.