Assassin's Creed Shadows marks the latest chapter in the expansive Assassin's Creed series, uniquely positioned within the series' historical timeline due to its setting in feudal Japan. The series is renowned for its non-linear progression through time, jumping from ancient history to pivotal moments just before the First World War, showcasing significant events across millennia.

With 14 mainline games and counting, the Assassin's Creed universe weaves a complex tapestry of historical events. IGN has meticulously analyzed the lore to create a comprehensive timeline that places all these events in chronological order, illuminating the series' overarching narrative and how each game interconnects.

The Isu Era

75,000 BCE

To fully appreciate the Assassin's Creed timeline, we must delve into its lore. Long ago, the Isu, a highly advanced race of god-like beings, ruled the earth. They engineered humanity as their servants, controlling them with powerful artifacts known as the Apples of Eden. However, humanity's desire for freedom sparked a rebellion led by Adam and Eve, who stole an Apple of Eden, igniting a war against their creators.

This conflict lasted a decade until a catastrophic solar flare obliterated the Isu. Humanity, though diminished, survived and began to rebuild, inheriting the earth from their fallen masters.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey

431 to 422 BCE - Peloponnesian War

Set amidst the Peloponnesian War, Assassin's Creed Odyssey follows mercenary Kassandra as she uncovers The Cult of Kosmos, a secretive group manipulating the war. Her journey reveals her brother Alexios, a childhood abductee of the Cult, transformed into a formidable weapon due to his lineage from the legendary Spartan King Leonidas, an Isu descendant.

Kassandra's mission to thwart the Cult leads her to dismantle their plans by destroying an Isu device that predicts future outcomes. Throughout her odyssey, she reconnects with her father Pythagoras, another Isu descendant, who entrusts her with the Staff of Hermes, granting immortality, and tasks her with safeguarding Atlantis.

Assassin's Creed Origins

49 to 43 BCE - Ptolemaic Egypt

In the era of Cleopatra's reign, Assassin's Creed Origins introduces Bayek, a peacekeeper whose life is shattered when The Order of the Ancients kidnaps him and his son in pursuit of an Isu vault. Tragically, Bayek accidentally kills his son during their escape, fueling his quest for vengeance against The Order.

Alongside his wife Aya, Bayek uncovers The Order's global ambitions to control politics and religion using the Apples of Eden. In response, they form The Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassin Brotherhood, to combat The Order's tyranny across Egypt and Rome.

Assassin's Creed Mirage

861 - Islamic Golden Age

Nearly a century later, Assassin's Creed Mirage follows Basim, a street thief turned assassin, trained at the Hidden Ones' stronghold in Alamut. His mission to thwart The Order of the Ancients leads him to discover an Isu temple beneath the fortress, housing a prison that once contained Loki, an Isu revered as a Norse god.

Inside, Basim learns of his past life as Loki and vows to seek vengeance against those who imprisoned him, setting the stage for future conflicts.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

872 to 878 - Viking Invasion of England

Assassin's Creed Valhalla follows Basim as he joins a Viking clan in England, hunting members of The Order of the Ancients. The clan, led by Sigurd and his sibling Eivor, navigates the complexities of Viking life while uncovering the oppressive rule of King Alfred, a member of The Order.

An Isu artifact triggers visions in Sigurd, leading Basim to reveal that Eivor and Sigurd are reincarnations of Odin and Týr, Isu who once imprisoned Loki. Eivor traps Basim within a simulated world, while Sigurd relinquishes leadership, allowing Eivor to return to England as a hero after defeating King Alfred.

Assassin's Creed

1191 - Third Crusade

By the 12th century, The Hidden Ones have evolved into the Assassin Brotherhood. Their nemesis, The Order of the Ancients, has transformed into the Knights Templar, still pursuing global domination.

During the Third Crusade, Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad aims to recover an Apple of Eden from the Templars. His mission, however, leads him to uncover a conspiracy and ultimately confront his mentor, Al Mualim, who seeks to use the Apple to impose peace through force. Altaïr's success in thwarting this plan sees him ascend to lead the Brotherhood.

Assassin's Creed 2

1476 to 1499 - Italian Renaissance

In the vibrant setting of the Italian Renaissance, Assassin's Creed 2 follows Ezio Auditore da Firenze, who joins the Brotherhood to avenge his family's murder by the Templars. Armed with his father's equipment and innovative tools from Leonardo da Vinci, Ezio battles the Templar-influenced Borgia family.

His journey leads him to an Isu vault beneath the Vatican, where he encounters Minerva, who warns of an impending apocalypse. Ezio secures an Apple of Eden, learning of the Isu's hidden vaults that could save humanity.

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood

1499 to 1507 - Italian Renaissance

Following his confrontation with the Pope, Ezio continues his fight in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood. After the Borgia forces seize the Apple of Eden, Ezio revitalizes the weakened Assassin Brotherhood, leading them to dismantle the Borgia regime in Rome and secure the Apple once more.

He hides the artifact in an Isu vault beneath the Colosseum, safeguarding it from Templar reach.

Assassin's Creed Revelations

1511 to 1512 - Ottoman Civil War

In search of deeper Isu knowledge, Ezio travels to Masyaf in Assassin's Creed Revelations, where he discovers Altaïr's library. The Templars, also after the library, force Ezio to intervene in Constantinople, aligning with the Ottoman Assassins against the Byzantine Templars.

Inside the library, Ezio encounters a message from the Isu Jupiter, revealing crucial data for humanity's survival stored in the Grand Temple. Understanding the message is not for him, Ezio leaves the Apple locked away and retires, succumbing to his accumulated injuries.

Assassin's Creed Shadows

1579 - Sengoku Period

Set during Japan's Sengoku period, Assassin's Creed Shadows follows an African mercenary, Yasuke, and a shinobi, Naoe. Yasuke, serving under Oda Nobunaga, becomes a samurai and participates in the invasion of Iga. Despite their opposing sides, Yasuke and Naoe unite in pursuit of a common goal, though details of their journey remain largely undisclosed.

Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag

1715 to 1722 - Golden Age of Piracy

During the Golden Age of Piracy, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag follows Edward Kenway, who becomes embroiled in a Templar plot involving The Observatory, an Isu device capable of spying on anyone. The device can only be activated by a Sage, the reincarnation of the Isu Aita.

Edward allies with pirates, including the current Sage, Bartholomew Roberts, to unlock The Observatory. After betrayal and conflict, Edward secures the device and eliminates the Templar threat, choosing the greater good over personal gain.

Assassin's Creed Rogue

1752 to 1776 - French and Indian War

Assassin's Creed Rogue follows Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin tasked with retrieving an Isu artifact, whose actions inadvertently cause a devastating earthquake in Lisbon. Overcome with guilt, Shay defects, joining the Templars and rising through their ranks while hunting down his former Assassin allies.

His actions lead to a confrontation with his former mentor, Achilles, and a suggestion to spark a revolution in France in response to the American uprising.

Assassin's Creed 3

1754 to 1783 - American Revolution

Set during the American Revolution, Assassin's Creed 3 follows Ratonhnhaké:ton, also known as Connor Kenway, who seeks justice for the destruction of his Mohawk village. Trained by Achilles, Connor confronts the Templars embedded within the British forces, eventually facing his father, Haytham Kenway, a Templar leader.

Their ideological differences lead to a tragic confrontation, and Connor buries the key to the Isu Grand Temple, thwarting the Templars' plans.

Assassin's Creed Liberation

1765 to 1777 - Spanish Occupation of Louisiana

In Assassin's Creed Liberation, Aveline de Grandpré combats a Templar plot in Louisiana, uncovering a larger conspiracy involving the 'Company Man' and the exploitation of slaves to unearth an Isu temple. Her journey leads to the discovery of her stepmother's Templar allegiance and the activation of the Prophecy Disk, revealing the story of Eve's rebellion against the Isu.

Assassin's Creed Unity

1789 to 1794 - French Revolution

During the French Revolution, Assassin's Creed Unity follows Arno Dorian, who seeks justice for his adoptive father's murder by the Templars. His journey reveals a Templar schism led by François-Thomas Germain, who aims to incite revolution.

Arno, with his sister Élise, confronts Germain, who attempts to use a Sword of Eden. The weapon's explosion kills Élise and wounds Germain, who reveals himself as a Sage. Arno seals Germain's remains in the Paris Catacombs, keeping them from the Templars.

Assassin's Creed Syndicate

1868 - Victorian England

In Victorian London, Assassin's Creed Syndicate follows twin assassins Jacob and Evie Frye as they seek The Shroud, an Isu healing artifact. The Templars, having taken control of the city, force the twins to split their efforts: Jacob assassinates Templar leaders, while Evie searches for The Shroud.

After retrieving The Shroud from Buckingham Palace, they eliminate the Templar leader, Crawford Starrick, securing another victory for the Assassins.

Transition Period

1914 to 2012

The Assassin's Creed series also features a modern-day framing narrative. During the transition from Syndicate to the present, the Templars establish Abstergo Industries in 1937, a front for their control ambitions. By the late 1970s, Abstergo develops the Animus, a device to explore genetic memories, aiming to uncover Isu artifacts to shape the future.

Assassin's Creed 1, 2, Brotherhood, Revelations, and 3

2012

In 2012, Desmond Miles is abducted by Abstergo to locate Isu artifacts through his ancestors' memories. With the help of Assassin mole Lucy Stillman, Desmond escapes and joins the Brotherhood, exploring Ezio's memories to uncover the impending apocalypse foretold by Minerva.

Desmond secures the Apple of Eden from the Colosseum, but Juno possesses him, forcing him to kill Lucy. He awakens from a coma to explore Connor's memories, eventually sacrificing himself to activate the Grand Temple's technology and prevent the apocalypse, releasing Juno.

Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag

2013

Abstergo continues to explore Desmond's genetic memories, focusing on Edward Kenway's quest for The Observatory. An unnamed researcher, 'The Noob', is manipulated by the modern-day Sage, John Standish, who aims to host Juno. Standish's plans are thwarted by Abstergo security, leading to his death.

Assassin's Creed Unity

2014

Abstergo releases the Helix software to the public, allowing users to experience genetic memories. An Assassin initiate, guided by Bishop, relives Arno Dorian's life to locate the remains of Sage François-Thomas Germain, ensuring they remain hidden in the Paris Catacombs.

Assassin's Creed Syndicate

2015

The initiate then searches for The Shroud through the memories of Jacob and Evie Frye. Abstergo retrieves The Shroud before the Assassins, planning to use it to create a living Isu. Juno manipulates Abstergo employees to sabotage these efforts.

Assassin's Creed Origins

2017

Layla Hassan, an Abstergo researcher, develops a new Animus that explores memories from DNA samples. In Egypt, she uses Bayek and Aya's DNA to relive the formation of The Hidden Ones. William Miles recruits her to the Assassin Brotherhood.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey

2018

Using DNA from the Spear of Leonidas, Layla relives Kassandra's life, locating Atlantis. Kassandra, immortal due to the Staff of Hermes, reveals Layla's role in maintaining balance between Assassins and Templars. Kassandra passes the Staff to Layla before dying.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

2020

Layla investigates magnetic field disturbances linked to Desmond's actions in 2012, using Viking remains to explore Eivor's memories. She discovers the Yggdrasil computer in Norway, entering its simulation to stabilize the magnetic field. Inside, she meets Basim, who escapes with the Staff of Hermes, containing Aletheia's consciousness, and joins the Assassins to search for Loki's children.