Based on a unique premise, Assassin's Creed successfully combines historical fiction and action-adventure to create an open world extravaganza that keeps pushing boundaries, taking players into increasingly enveloping and engaging scenarios.
The latest entries took players further into the past than ever before and while the franchise had its ups and downs, it has managed to retain a great deal of consistency throughout its twelve entries. Perhaps a tad too comfortable with its traditional gameplay, something reviewers often point out, the series has never shied away from exploring new ideas and epochs, constantly evolving along with the industry and always offering something new that keeps critics satisfied and audiences begging for more.
12 Assassin's Creed: Unity (2014) - 71
2014 was not a good year for Assassin's Creed. Both of their releases received the lowest scores in the entire franchise, with Assassin's Creed: Unity achieving a weighted average of 71, indicating "Mixed or average reviews." Most of the criticism centered on the game's small scope and numerous technical issues which included bugs and glitches, poor graphics, as well as performance and connectivity issues.
The plot is set during the French Revolution and centers on Arno Victor Dorian's efforts to expose the true powers behind the revolution.
11 Assassin's Creed: Rogue (2014) - 72
The first of two games released in 2014, Assassin's Creed: Rogue's final mission actually serves as the prologue for Unity. Set during the Seven Year's War, Rogue follows Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin turned Templar, in his efforts to hunt down and kill members of the Brotherhood who betrayed him.
With a weighted average of 72, Rogue holds a "Mixed or average reviews" grade in Metacritic. Praise went to the primary twist of playing as a Templar instead of an Assassin, as well as the complexity of the titular character. The game, however, received criticism for its similarities to Black Flag, as well the plot's overall predictability.
10 Assassin's Creed: Syndicate (2015) - 76
Things improved by 2015, but the franchise remained at a low point with Assassin's Creed: Syndicate. With a weighted average of 76, firmly set on the "Mix or average reviews" camp, Syndicate follows twin Assassin's Jacob and Evie Frye's attempts to take back their city from Templar control.
Set during Victorian-era London, Syndicate received a more positive reception than Unity and Rogue, with particular praise going to the plot, graphics, and missions. Many considered it a return to form for the franchise, although criticism was directed at the repetitiveness of the gameplay.
9 Assassin's Creed (2007) - 80
The game that started it all, Assassin's Creed takes place during the Third Crusade in the Holy Land and introduces Desmond Miles, the franchise's de-facto lead (at least during the first games.) The central conflict between Assassins and Templars is also introduced.
Praised for its innovative premise, engaging storytelling and visuals, and overall originality, Assassin's Creed received a weighted average of 80, indicating "generally favorable reviews." In 2016, a feature film starring Michael Fassbender and inspired by the original idea AC idea premiered to mixed reviews. It was a box-office bomb.
8 Assassin's Creed: Revelations (2011) - 80
The fourth game in the main series, Revelations continues the story of Desmond Miles as he tries to avert the 2012 apocalypse. It is mainly set during the 12th and 13th-century in Masyaf, Cappadocia, and Constantinople.
Like most games in the franchise, the repetitive and familiar gameplay received criticism, although Revelations also received praise for its storyline and graphics. It is also the first and so far only game where all its versions received the same grade on Metacritic, with PC, X360, and PS3 all getting an 80 "generally favorable" review.
7 Assassin's Creed III (2012) - 83
The sequel to Revelations and fifth game overall - despite the III on the title - Assassin's Creed III continues the apocalypse storyline and is set during the American Revolution. It received generally positive reviews, with an average weighted score of 83 on Metacritic.
The game was involved in controversy when it was accused of anti-British sentiment while promoting American nationalism, particularly during the marketing stage. Once released, critics agreed that the depiction of both sides was balanced, with Kotaku agreeing with the developers claim that the game did not portray or endorse jingoism
6 Assassin's Creed: Origins (2017) - 83
A successor to Syndicate, Origins is set in Egypt at the end of the Ptolemaic Period circa 49 BC. It explores the conflict between the Hidden Ones - ancestors of the Assassins - and The Order of the Ancients - forerunners of the Templars. It introduced role-playing elements but retained the open-world and stealth elements typical to the franchise.
Praised for the bold and new direction in which it took the franchise, as well as the freedom its vast open-world allowed, Origins also received criticism for its slow pace and technical issues. With an average of 83 on Metacritic, indicating "generally positive reviews," Origins successfully took Assassin's Creed into new and exciting territory.
5 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (2020) - 83
The latest entry into the Assassin's Creed canon, Valhalla serves as a successor to Odyssey. Set during the Viking Invasion of Britain circa 872 AD, the player assumes control of the Viking Eivor, who becomes involved in the ancient conflict between Templars and Assassins.
Highly anticipated since its announcement, Valhalla received praise for its narrative and world design. Criticism was once again aimed at the familiarity of the gameplay. Indeed, the game plays more like a mixed-tape of previous hits rather than a fresh new entry of original tunes. With an average score of 83, however, Valhalla is a clear signal that the franchise is still in fine form.
4 Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) - 85
Black Flag marked a shift in the series' gameplay. Set in the 18th-century Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy, Black Flag follows Welsh pirate Edward Kenway who stumbles upon the Assassin/Templar conflict. The game features a great deal of ship-based action, with particular emphasis on strategy and exploration.
Critically acclaimed upon release, Black Flag was considered an interesting and successful shift to the traditional formula. Criticism remained for the repetitiveness of the missions, as well as the modern-day storyline which was considered intrusive. Black Flag's open world received considerable praise, particularly for its large scope. With an 85 Metacritic score, it received high notes in all its iterations, with its PS3 version as the highest rated.
3 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (2018) - 85
Premiering in 2018, Assassin's Creed: Odyssey took the franchise into full RPG mode. Odyssey took players further into the past than ever before, taking place between the years 431-422 BC. Set against the backdrop of the Peloponnesian War, the player controls a mercenary who fights for both sides as they attempt to find their family.
Odyssey received critical acclaim for its characters, scope, setting, plot, gameplay, and story. However, it was criticized for being overly ambitious. Indeed, the game's reach sometimes exceeds its grasp. It achieved a weighted score of 85 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews."
2 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (2010) - 89
Entering into the golden age of Assassin's Creed, Brotherhood serves as a direct sequel to Assassin's Creed II and continues Ezio Auditore da Firenze's quest to restore the Assassin order and bring down his enemies, the powerful Borgia family.
Set in 16th-century Italy, mainly Rome, Brotherhood earned critical acclaim. Reviewers praised the setting, gameplay, and multiplayer mode, although some found the story inferior to its predecessor. The PS3 version is the first one to achieve a 90 on Metacritic, although its weighted average is 89 when counting the X-Box 360 and PC versions.
1 Assassin's Creed II (2009) - 89
Assassin's Creed II consolidated the franchise as a true force to be reckoned in the gaming world. Taking place at the height of the Italian Renaissance, the plot follows Ezio as he seeks vengeance against those who betrayed his family, discovering mysteries left behind by an ancient race known as the First Civilization.
Critically acclaimed at the time of its release, ACII's open world, in which the player can explore Florence, Venice, Monteriggioni, and Forli, received universal praise. The PS3 version is the highest rated in the franchise, achieving a score of 91, indicating "universal acclaim." The average score is brought down by the PC version, though, which only achieved an 86.
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