The latest addition to Ubisoft's renowned stealth-action open-world series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, has arrived, sparking discussions on where it stands among its predecessors. Since its inception in 2007 with Desmond Miles exploring the memories of his ancestor Altaïr, the franchise has evolved, now bringing players to 16th-century Japan with protagonists Naoe and Yasuke. As the 14th installment in the core series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows invites fans to evaluate its place within the expansive Assassin's Creed universe.
We've narrowed our focus to the "mainline games," excluding mobile, side-scrolling, VR entries, and spin-offs such as Bloodlines or Liberation. To help you rank these titles, I've created an IGN Tier List based on my personal enjoyment of each game. Here's a glimpse of how I've categorized them:
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag remains my top pick, securing a spot in the S-tier. The blend of island exploration, ship combat, and a vibrant cast of characters offers an unparalleled AC experience. It shares the S-tier with Assassin’s Creed 2, which significantly boosted the series' popularity. In the A-tier, I've placed Valhalla, which might surprise some due to its expansive nature. However, the Viking-themed combat and the addictive Orlog minigame won me over. Joining it is Unity, whose detailed recreation of Paris during the French Revolution remains visually impressive even after a decade.
Do you have a different take on these rankings? Perhaps you find Valhalla overly expansive or believe Assassin’s Creed 2 is overrated. We invite you to create your own tier list and compare your S, A, B, C, and D tiers with the IGN community.
Every Assassin's Creed Game Tier List
Are you enjoying Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Where do you think the series should head next? Share your thoughts in the comments and explain your rankings of the mainline AC games.
