Assassin's Creed Games Ranked: A Tier List

The latest addition to Ubisoft's renowned stealth-action open-world series, Assassin's Creed Shadows, has finally arrived. But how does it measure up against its predecessors? We invite you to decide its place among the series' mainline entries. Since its inception in 2007 with Desmond Miles experiencing the life of Altaïr through the Animus, the series has evolved to 2025, where players now navigate 16th-century Japan as Naoe and Yasuke. As the 14th core installment, Assassin's Creed Shadows joins a rich lineage of over 30 games, though we'll focus solely on the mainline titles here—no mobile, side-scrolling, VR, or spin-offs like Bloodlines or Liberation.

I've taken the liberty of ranking the mainline Assassin's Creed games based on my personal enjoyment using an IGN Tier List. Here's a glimpse at my rankings:

Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remains my top pick, cherished for its seamless blend of island exploration, ship combat, and a vibrant cast that delivers the quintessential AC experience. Sharing the S-tier is Assassin's Creed 2, the game that truly propelled the series into the spotlight. In the A-tier, you'll find Valhalla, which might raise eyebrows, but I adored its Viking-inspired combat and the addictive Orlog minigame. It's joined by Unity, whose breathtaking recreation of French Revolution-era Paris remains impressive even after a decade.

Do you disagree with my rankings? Perhaps you think Valhalla is overly expansive, or that Assassin's Creed 2 doesn't deserve the hype? Feel free to create your own tier list below and compare your S, A, B, C, and D rankings with the IGN community.

Every Assassin's Creed Game Tier List

Are you enjoying Assassin's Creed Shadows? Where in the world would you like to see the series venture next? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let us know why you've ranked the mainline Assassin's Creed games in the order you have.