Assassin's Creed Games Ranked: A Tier List

The latest installment in Ubisoft's expansive series of stealth-action open-world games, Assassin's Creed Shadows, has finally arrived, marking the 14th entry in the core series. Launched in 2007 with Desmond Miles exploring his ancestor Altaïr's memories via the Animus, the franchise now transports players to 16th-century Japan with the characters Naoe and Yasuke. But where does Assassin's Creed Shadows stand in the grand tapestry of the series? It's time for you to weigh in and rank it among the mainline games.

Over the years, the Assassin's Creed franchise has released more than 30 titles. For our ranking, we're focusing solely on the mainline entries, excluding mobile games, side-scrollers, VR experiences, and spin-offs like Bloodlines or Liberation.

I've taken the liberty of creating a personal tier list based on my enjoyment of each game, which you can view below:

In my opinion, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remains the pinnacle of the series, cherished for its blend of island exploration, ship combat, and a vibrant cast of characters. It shares the S-tier with Assassin's Creed 2, the game that truly brought the series into the spotlight. Assassin's Creed Valhalla earns a spot in the A-tier; despite some criticism for its length, I found the Viking-inspired combat and the Orlog minigame particularly engaging. Joining it is Unity, whose breathtaking recreation of Paris during the French Revolution still holds up beautifully a decade later.

Do you disagree with my rankings? Perhaps you think Valhalla is overly bloated or that Assassin's Creed 2 is overrated? I encourage you to create your own tier list and compare your S, A, B, C, and D tiers with the broader IGN community.

Every Assassin's Creed Game Tier List

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