The Best of the Creed: A Deep Dive into the Top Assassin's Creed Games, As Rated on Metacritic

Since its launch in 2007, the Assassin's Creed franchise, created and released by Ubisoft, has attracted a substantial fan base. Renowned for its meticulously crafted historical settings, stealth-based gameplay, and intriguing narratives, the franchise has various installments, each offering a unique experience. Let's explore the top-rated games in this series, according to Metacritic.

12. Assassin's Creed Unity

Assassin's Creed Unity, taking place amidst the tumult of the French Revolution, represents the franchise's initial foray into authentic city-based stealth gameplay. The game's Paris is a sprawling and lively city, packed with crowds that become part of the gameplay.

Pros:

• Impressive representation of Revolutionary Paris.
• Expanded stealth options.
• Introduced cooperative multiplayer.

Cons:

• Glitches and performance issues at launch.
• The storyline does not stand out.

11. Assassin's Creed Rogue

Released as a counterpart to the next-gen-focused Unity, Assassin's Creed Rogue flips the script by making you play as a Templar, hunting down your former assassin allies.

Pros:

• An interesting twist on the traditional story.
• Naval combat from Black Flag returns.

Cons:

• Recycles many elements from previous games.
• Short main story.

10. Assassin's Creed Syndicate

Assassin's Creed Syndicate shifts its setting to Victorian-era London, introducing twin protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye, who bring distinct personalities and playstyles.

Pros:

• Detailed recreation of Victorian London.
• Two playable characters, each with different styles.

Cons:

• Occasional glitches.
• The campaign can feel repetitive.

9. Assassin's Creed

The original Assassin's Creed laid the foundation, set in the Middle Ages during the Third Crusade, offering a blend of stealth, parkour, and action.

Pros:

• Innovative gameplay mechanics.
• Engaging storyline.

Cons:

• Lacks the depth of later entries.
• Repetitive mission structure.

8. Assassin's Creed 3

Assassin's Creed 3 moves the setting to the American Revolution, introducing new combat mechanics and hunting activities into the mix.

Pros:

• Expanded gameplay with naval combat and hunting.
• Engaging protagonist.

Cons:

• Map feels less interesting and dynamic than in previous settings.
• Story pacing can be slow.

7. Assassin's Creed: Revelations

Assassin's Creed: Revelations concludes Ezio's storyline by taking players to Constantinople, introducing the hook blade and bomb crafting system.

Pros:

• It concludes Ezio's story satisfyingly.
• Expands gameplay with new tools and mechanics.

Cons:

• New additions can feel gimmicky.
• It doesn't add much to the overarching plot.

6. Assassin's Creed Valhalla

The latest entry, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, brings players to the Viking era with a focus on raiding and settlement building.

Pros:

• Engaging storyline with memorable characters.
• An expansive, beautiful world to explore.

Cons:

• Some features feel repetitive.
• RPG mechanics could use refinement.

5. Assassin's Creed Origins

Assassin's Creed Origins revitalized the series by introducing RPG elements and a new combat system set in Ptolemaic Egypt.

Pros:

• The new combat system and RPG mechanics refresh the gameplay.
• Vibrant and immersive open world.

Cons:

• The story sometimes feels lost in the vast world.
• Side quests can be repetitive.

4. Assassin's Creed 4

Also known as Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, this pirate-centered installment is an adventure on the high seas, filled with naval battles and treasure hunting.

Pros:

• Innovative naval combat and exploration.
• Captivating storyline and characters.

Cons:

• Some tedious tailing missions.
• Performance issues on certain platforms.

3. Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Set in Ancient Greece, Assassin's Creed Odyssey takes the RPG format of Origins and expands it with branching narratives and larger-scale battles.

Pros:

• Branching narrative choices.
• Immersive world and engaging storyline.

Cons:

• Sometimes grindy progression.
• Some historical inaccuracies.

2. Assassins' Creed 2

Assassins' Creed 2 took everything that worked in the original and improved upon it, introducing beloved protagonist Ezio Auditore on a journey through Renaissance Italy.

Pros:

• Improved gameplay mechanics.
• Memorable protagonist and story.

Cons:

• Slightly dated graphics.
• Combat can be too easy.

1. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

The pinnacle of the Ezio trilogy, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood adds new mechanics like the brotherhood system while deepening Ezio's character and story.

Pros:

• An engrossing story with strong character development.
• Introduced the brotherhood system.

Cons:

• Shorter main story.
• Some repetitive side missions.

The Assassin's Creed franchise continues to innovate and experiment within its unique historical playgrounds. While each game has its strengths and weaknesses, these 12 have set the standard for what the series can offer. Lean on the shadows, dive into these worlds, and let the Animus guide you through history.