Assassin’s Creed: Every Game, Ranked By How Long They Take To Beat

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Key Takeaways

  • Assassin’s Creed
    games span various eras in history, thrilling fans with rich lore and engaging gameplay experiences.
  • The franchise’s diverse titles cater to different playstyles, from short but intense adventures to lengthy, immersive narratives.
  • Assassin’s Creed
    remains a beloved series, offering a mix of traditional stealth action and new RPG elements for players to enjoy.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that Ubisoft has truly outdone themselves with their latest offerings on the Nintendo Switch – “The Rebel Collection”. Having spent countless hours immersed in the vast oceans and bustling cities of both “Black Flag” and “Rogue”, I can confidently attest to the fact that this collection is a true gem for any Assassin’s Creed fan.

Frequently, video game franchises continue past their sell-by date, extending over multiple titles beyond what might be expected. However, this isn’t the case with Assassin’s Creed, which despite having numerous games under its belt, remains a standout franchise. In fact, fans eagerly anticipate each new addition to the series.

These estimates for completion times are derived from the totals recorded on howlongtobeat.com for the main story of the “Assassin’s Creed” series. These games offer a longer and more engrossing experience than ever before, allowing players to delve into various historical epochs as they battle against the Templars, whether in their traditional form or another guise. This is gaming at its pinnacle.

23 Assassin’s Creed Freedom Cry

4 Hours

Players are about to enjoy a brief yet extraordinary experience as they team up with Adéwalé in his quest for liberation from imprisonment. It’s hard to imagine an Assassin more deserving of the order, given that this character deeply appreciates, at a deeply emotional level, that freedom transcends mere philosophical discussion.

Freedom Cry” is the briefest game in the series due to its initial plan as DLC for “Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag”. However, with a distinct hero at its core, both Ubisoft and gamers believed that while it might be short, it was worthy of standing alone as a separate game.

Assassin’s Creed Freedom Cry: What Made It Unique?

In essence, “Freedom Cry” functions as an independent supplement to the game “Black Flag“. It maintains a good portion of the original’s structure and mechanics. However, what sets it apart is the introduction of a unique gameplay element – freeing African slaves. This action allows players to accumulate resources for enhancing Adewale’s weapons and armaments. Additionally, players can recruit Maroons as allies in battle. Similar to its parent title, “Freedom Cry” also offers players the opportunity to commandeer ships and engage in naval battles to seize other vessels.

22 Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles

5 Hours

A lot of individuals haven’t experienced “Altair’s Chronicles”, an unexpectedly captivating “Assassin’s Creed” title designed for the Nintendo DS. This game effectively utilized its hardware, employing a side-scrolling 2D format and cleverly using the touchscreen to create an enjoyable experience for fans to explore.

In the game, Altair takes center stage, as hinted by its title. If you’re a fan yearning for another thrilling journey with this character, don’t miss out on “Altair’s Chronicles“. Despite some parts feeling a bit outdated, it remains an enjoyable experience to play from start to finish.

Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles: What Made It Unique?

While this game doesn’t offer an open-world setting like some games in the series, it still retains many signature features such as stealth assassinations, parkour movements, and combat sequences. The combat system has been streamlined, focusing on strong and weak attacks that form the core of most combos, along with a blocking mechanism for defense.

21 Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India

5.5 Hours

It was quite unexpected, given that the Assassin’s Creed series typically sticks to what it knows, but the Chronicles trilogy was a delightful change of pace. Transitioning into 2.5D environments, complete with the familiar mechanics of the classic Assassin’s Creed gameplay, is an enjoyable experience.

The show offers an advantage by delving into diverse global settings that haven’t been featured in previous games, such as Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India, a standalone title boasting approximately 6 hours of engaging gameplay.

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India: What Made It Unique?

In the game “Chronicles: India”, the 2.5D gameplay style similar to other games in the series is preserved. This new version introduces the Silencer rank for players who manage to subdue enemies without causing harm. The main character, Arbaaz Mir, is equipped with a sword, an urumi (a blade resembling a whip), a chakram, a katar adorned with bagh nakh, and both a slingshot and smoke bombs, in addition to his other weapons.

20 Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines

6 Hours

The Assassin’s Creed series has ventured into portable gaming quite a bit, and among these adaptations, Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines stands out as their most daring endeavor. This game is essentially a follow-up to the initial release, making it an exciting choice for fans of the franchise who are eager for more Altair-centric adventures.

Although today’s Assassin’s Creed games may surpass it in complexity according to current standards, there’s no arguing that it still possesses captivating aspects that are worth exploring for series enthusiasts. In fact, even though playing this game might be quite demanding in today’s gaming landscape, fans of Assassin’s Creed who find themselves able to experience this overlooked gem should absolutely do so.

Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines: What Made It Unique?

Among the standout features of the game “Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines” is its scarcity of civilians, making it challenging to maintain a stealthy approach except in specific locations. To be precise, the PSP’s hardware limitations significantly restrict stealth options—movement is swifter, disguise is less complex, and character profiles (high/low) aren’t as detailed. A distinctive aspect of the game is that the protagonist, Altair, can retrieve his thrown knives by simply walking over them.

19 Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China

6 Hours

  • Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One
  • Released: 2015-04-21
  • Developer(s): Climax Studios

The inaugural installment of the Assassin’s Creed Chronicles collection takes place in China, offering a thrilling gaming experience. Players embark on an adventure alongside Shao Jun, a character who experiences various challenges as one of the remaining members of the Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins.

In much the same way as many games in the Assassin’s Creed Chronicles series, the 2.5D gameplay is genuinely enjoyable in this one too. It’s quite remarkable how seamlessly the gameplay of the Assassin’s Creed series adapts to these specific constraints.

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China: What Made It Unique?

In simpler terms, this 2.5D game offers straightforward gameplay with missions that primarily focus on stealth tactics. Players can hide from or distract enemies to stay out of their line of sight, as they could face overpowering enemy forces otherwise. Additionally, combat involves using light and heavy attacks to weaken enemies for assassinations. The main character, Shao Jun, is equipped with a jian sword, firecrackers, throwing knives, and distraction darts.

18 Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: Russia

6.5 Hours

  • Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One
  • Released: 2016-02-09
  • Developer(s): Climax Studios

In the last installment of the Assassin’s Creed Chronicles series, the action unfolds in Russia during the year 1918. This historical backdrop offers an exhilarating experience for players to delve into.

In this scenario, characters guide Nikolai Orelov in his endeavor to accomplish one final task for the Order prior to escaping the nation with his loved ones. The narrative is gripping and intelligent, but the gaming mechanics of the series could grow repetitive at this stage.

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: Russia: What Made It Unique?

The gameplay in Chronicles: Russia is similar to the other Chronicles titles, with mission ranking now including Silence should players take down foes using non-lethal attacks. Protagonist Nikolai Orelov has a unique Berdan rifle equipped with a bayonet, allowing from to attack in melee or range at the same time. His grapnel gun can produce electric shocks to kill opponents standing on puddles or short-circuit electronics to create shadowy areas in which he can hide.

17 Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation

8 Hours

It’s quite impressive to observe the effort poured into the spinoff, Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation. Although it may not bring significant innovation in terms of the series’ gameplay, it remains enjoyable to experience nonetheless.

As a gamer, I’ve found Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation to be quite the thrilling adventure, but it definitely has its limitations due to being a spin-off title. This is evident in the gameplay and storyline, which, while entertaining, don’t quite measure up to the main series in terms of depth or scope. Unfortunately, the playtime isn’t particularly lengthy either, making it a quicker experience compared to its counterparts.

Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation: What Made It Unique?

In this particular video game title, we have an exciting feature called Chain Kills, which enables Aveline to swiftly eliminate numerous adversaries in a row. Moreover, Aveline’s personas offer distinctive combat styles, including the gregarious Lady, the stealthy Slave, and the aggressive Assassin. Since it employs the same engine as Assassin’s Creed 3, numerous animations are recycled, with the gameplay adjustments made to suit the Vita’s touchpad, gyroscope, and cameras.

16 Assassin’s Creed Rogue

10.5 Hours

The game titled “Assassin’s Creed Rogue” holds the distinction of being one of the shorter entries in the Assassin’s Creed series. Released following “Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag”, it shares a focus on naval combat with its predecessor, but its brevity belies its importance within the Assassin’s Creed universe, as the protagonist Shay Cormac eliminates several pivotal characters.

As a dedicated gamer, I can tell you that, while it may not have received the same level of accolades as some other games in the series, this one still offers approximately 40 hours of immersive gameplay for the completionists among us. It’s important to mention that if you’re playing on an Xbox One or PlayStation 4, you can grab a remastered version of the game to enhance your experience.

Assassin’s Creed Rogue: What Made It Unique?

In the spirit of Black Flag, Rogue places a strong emphasis on naval exploration and combat across open waters, introducing the new feature of enemies boarding the player’s ship. Players will also have the advantage of an air rifle to eliminate adversaries from afar. The assassins encountered in gameplay share a similar skillset with the player, featuring abilities like air assassinations and stealth tactics. Shay can enhance his tools and vessel through crafting, allowing for upgrades.

15 Assassin’s Creed Revelations

12.5 Hours

In this thrilling voyage, the concluding chapter of the trilogy featuring Ezio Auditore da Firenze reaches its climax. The storyline revolves around Ezio’s escapades as he learns from his mentor, Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad.

As a point of interest, Altaïr was the central character in the initial Assassin’s Creed video game. For fans eager to delve into key figures within the series, I highly recommend Assassin’s Creed Revelations. On average, it takes approximately 12.5 hours to finish the main storyline in this game.

Assassin’s Creed Revelations: What Made It Unique?

In the game Revelations, the mechanics have been modified to accommodate an older Ezio. Instead of the Hidden Blade, he now uses the Hookblade for quicker building ascension and zip-lining across Constantinople. During combat, the Hookblade can pull enemies towards him for attacks. Players are also given the ability to craft various bombs for their missions. Similar to previous games, territories make a comeback in Revelations, allowing players to gradually seize Templar territories in Constantinople and recruit Assassins to train and station there. Unlike other games, neglecting an area or failing to expand territory may prompt the Templars to try to retake the area, forcing Ezio into a mini-game where he and fellow Assassins must defeat Templar forces.

14 Assassin’s Creed

15 Hours

This following installment takes us to the debut of the very first Assassin’s Creed game. Some may find fault with the game due to its limited character movements and monotony, but it paved the way for future Assassin’s Creed titles.

Delighted by the game “Prince of Persia” serving as a spiritual precursor, we’re thankful Ubisoft didn’t abandon this intellectual property. Completing the first “Assassin’s Creed” game requires about 15 hours, but it provides less value for thorough gamers compared to other games within the series.

Assassin’s Creed: What Made It Unique?

Initiating the franchise that has since become iconic, Assassin’s Creed established many of its core elements. The open-world, third-person perspective offered an immersive environment for players to traverse, with authentic historical settings and somewhat interactive NPCs adding to the experience. In this game, players must first locate the Brotherhood HQ in each city before receiving a mission, which often involves reconnaissance, exploration, and finally, the assassination of a significant NPC. Additional quests involve gathering memory files to enhance the player’s (and Desmond’s) comprehension of Altair. The game’s stealth system offers a unique twist on the genre, allowing Altair to employ social stealth by merging with crowds or avoiding enemies by scaling tall structures or hiding in haystacks.

13 Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood

15 Hours

In the second part of the Ezio Auditore da Firenze trilogy, there’s a compelling game worth noting. The narrative revolves around the Templars, who are conspiring to seize global control. They hold the belief that humanity is innately flawed and that it is only they who can restore equilibrium in the world.

In approximately 16 hours, gamers can complete the main storyline of “Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood.” Despite being shorter compared to other “Assassin’s Creed” titles, it still offers an engaging experience that is definitely worth playing.

Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood: What Made It Unique?

In this game, there’s a heavier focus on aggressive play, where initial attacks are much more lethal compared to counterattacks. The more aggressive NPCs in the game enable Ezio to wield both melee and ranged weapons simultaneously, and the throwables make it simpler to take out multiple opponents. The game’s main feature, the Brotherhood System, empowers players to enlist Assassin trainees who can be summoned for battles or assigned tasks. These recruits may either perish permanently or come back with experience after completing their missions.

12 Assassin’s Creed Mirage

15.5 Hours

Many fans felt a sense of relief when Assassin’s Creed Mirage returned to the series’ original concepts, having strayed too often into expansive settings and RPG-style design in previous installments. While it may not be flawless, those who are willing to overlook its occasional shortcomings can expect an enjoyable experience with this game.

In simpler terms, “Mirage” is a concise game in which you can complete quests at your leisure. However, the casual tone of the narrative sometimes makes the storyline confusing and detached from the main plot, resulting in an unsatisfying gaming experience overall.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage: What Made It Unique?

As a gamer, stepping back into the world of Assassin’s Creed with Mirage feels like a welcome return to the roots of this iconic series. Unlike the RPG-style games that came after, Mirage offers a simpler gameplay experience. A new feature called Assassin Focus is introduced in Mirage, enabling me to take out multiple enemies simultaneously. This ability can be replenished by executing stealth maneuvers. When I trigger Assassin Focus, time seems to stand still, allowing me to tag up to five targets for a swift and exhilarating assassination sequence. The game still incorporates the Black Box system for innovative assassinations, as well as a skill tree to enhance my weapons with various abilities. My character, Basim, keeps his Eagle Vision and bird companion, enabling scanning of different environments. However, beware! My bird companion can be spotted and shot, so it’s crucial to eliminate any snipers first before using the bird again.

11 Assassin’s Creed 3

16.5 Hours

In 2012, Assassin’s Creed 3 garnered above-average reviews upon its release, much like other games in the Assassin’s Creed series. Eventually, this game was remastered, as is common with titles from this franchise. The combat in Assassin’s Creed 3 is particularly impressive, featuring stealth elements that leave players in awe.

It’s quite possible that we might witness a remake of this game in the future years. In “Assassin’s Creed 3”, players, over approximately 16 hours of gameplay, engage in battles against British colonizers during the American Revolution, also targeting significant Templar enemies among them.

Assassin’s Creed 3: What Made It Unique?

In this game, there’s a shift from freerunning to a more seamless parkour experience, making running and climbing feel more intuitive within the movement. This is complemented by the game’s weather system. The rich environments allow for stealth tactics as players can blend with the surroundings, such as grass or snow, reducing their visibility. Dual-wielding weapons is now an option, and while close-quarters combat no longer necessitates target locking onto enemies, it remains engaging. The game also introduces six Assassin recruits, each with distinct personalities. Their abilities range from setting traps, offering cover, to even inciting riots.

10 Assassin’s Creed Unity

17 Hours

In a fresh and distinctive approach to the Assassin’s Creed series, Assassin’s Creed Unity incorporated online cooperative play. Despite boasting engaging gameplay, this open-world title was marred by numerous technical issues that hindered it from fully realizing its potential.

Completing this game typically requires about 17 hours for a single player, but with teamwork, it can be finished in just 12 hours. Moreover, another player addresses the frequent concern that female characters don’t get sufficient focus in the Assassin’s Creed series.

Assassin’s Creed Unity: What Made It Unique?

In this game, you’ll find an almost identical replica of Paris, broken down into significant districts filled with up to 30,000 non-player characters (NPCs) at once—ideal for the game’s French Revolution backdrop. Side missions come in various forms and can be initiated based on how you interact with them. The fight scenes emphasize fencing, and stealth takedowns introduce the Phantom Blade, a combination of the Hidden Blade and a crossbow. Regular assassinations are replaced by the Black Box, encouraging more imaginative kills. Crowds behave naturally, allowing players to blend in and utilize them for missions. For the first time in the series, this game includes a skill system and cooperative play, where multiple players can participate in missions together.

9 Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

19 Hours

In the Victorian age, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate unfolds within the cityscape of London. The game offers an authentic feel as players immerse themselves in its captivating atmosphere reminiscent of the pages of a Charles Dickens novel.

Playing the “Jack the Ripper” expansion significantly enhances the base game and is definitely a smart investment. The option to assume both male and female roles brings a refreshing twist to the series, enriching the gameplay experience due to the distinct abilities each character possesses.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: What Made It Unique?

In addition to its setting being associated with the second Industrial Revolution, the game Syndicate introduces Evie, the first major female character in the main series (excluding the Vita spin-off Liberation). What sets this game apart is its unique selection of weapons like brass knuckles, cane-swords, and compact revolvers. The characters’ wardrobes and an individualized skill system offer new ways to play, with combat now focusing on chaining attacks together. Players can seize control of enemies for access to unique assassinations, depending on the situation. Side missions focus on building and growing a street gang called the Rooks.

8 Assassin’s Creed 2

19 Hours

2009 saw the launch of Assassin’s Creed 2, which is often praised for its refined and engaging gameplay mechanics. The fact that it features the captivating and popular character, Ezio, certainly doesn’t hurt its reputation.

Playing through the campaign of this game typically requires around 19 hours. The story features real-life characters like Leonardo da Vinci and Pope Alexander VI. One of its distinctive elements is that you can earn income from Villa Auditore, a family estate, which sets Assassin’s Creed 2 apart in a wonderful manner.

Assassin’s Creed 2: What Made It Unique?

The initial release of “Assassin’s Creed” paved the way for an even bigger and more elaborate sequel, “Assassin’s Creed 2.” Now, a database offers additional insights into the game, and the environment has become more engaging with features like swimming, multiple travel options, and healing from vendors or using medicines. Players can craft various weapons, such as dual hidden blades and concealed guns, thanks to Leonardo da Vinci’s presence. Non-player characters (NPCs) have been improved to be more responsive, allowing Ezio to cause a commotion by placing corpses in public places. In combat, Ezio can now counter enemies and disarm them.

7 Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

23.5 Hours

Black Flag, Assassin’s Creed 4, was the debut game for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It made a significant impact due to the vastness of its game world. While some later missions in the campaign may not be as engaging as others, typical of the Assassin’s Creed series, it still offers an experience that caters to a wide range of players.

As the thrill-seeking adventurer Edward Kenway, I found myself battling formidable jaguars, crocodiles, and a band of ruthless pirates in this game – an experience that made every minute of playtime utterly captivating. Although there were some sections that could’ve been shortened to make the game leaner, the 24 hours I invested into it felt well spent.

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag: What Made It Unique?

In the era of Pirate Golden Age, the game Black Flag primarily focuses on sailing the open oceans aboard a pirate vessel. Players are now given the opportunity to hunt various marine and land creatures, in addition to regularly enhancing both their character, Edward, and their ship with innovative upgrades. Recruitment has made a comeback within this series, allowing players to delegate tasks to newly acquired crew members who will commandeer ships under your control.

6 Assassin’s Creed Origins

30 Hours

In its debut as the initial game adopting the new format, “Assassin’s Creed Origins” demonstrated to players that a 30-hour campaign can still be engaging within the context of the “Assassin’s Creed” series. The game offers a captivating depiction of real-world landmarks such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, providing an imaginative view of how these structures may have looked in ancient Egypt.

In the case of Assassin’s Creed Origins, some players encountered difficulties with its RPG aspects. However, it’s undeniable that this game breathed new life into the series, offering a fresh perspective on what an Assassin’s Creed game should be like. The game laid the groundwork for subsequent series installments, eliciting either excitement or discontent among fans.

Assassin’s Creed Origins: What Made It Unique?

In “Origins”, we delve back into the realm of underwater exploration, an aspect missing from games since “Black Flag”. The open-world exploration and progression system, where experience points determine growth, bears resemblance to “Odyssey”. However, this game introduces a hitbox combat system, enabling players to strike any area within reach of their weapons. This mechanic occasionally leads to missed attacks, resulting in a more classic hack-and-slash gaming experience.

5 Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection

36.5 Hours

Due to fewer strict limitations imposed by third parties on the Nintendo Switch, numerous developers have chosen to bring their popular games to this console, and Ubisoft is among them. They’ve introduced “The Rebel Collection” on the Switch, which includes ports of beloved games such as “Black Flag” and “Rogue”, particularly cherished for the adventures of Edward Kenway.

These games offer a substantial playtime, with the potential to extend significantly if you explore all the additional content provided. In terms of length, these games can be considered among the longest Assassin’s Creed installments, though some might argue this on technical grounds. While Rogue may not have left as lasting an impact as Black Flag, it remains a worthy choice for fans seeking more Assassin’s Creed.

Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection: What Made It Unique?

For the exclusive Nintendo Switch game, there are more than just improved visuals; it’s been tailored specifically for this console. Adjustments include high-definition haptic feedback (HD rumble), a portable mode, a user interface on a touchscreen, and motion control for aiming purposes.

4 Assassin’s Creed: Pirates

40 Hours

  • Platform(s): Android, iOS
  • Released: 2013-12-05
  • Developer: Ubisoft Paris

It became evident that Ubisoft had struck a successful approach with naval exploration and combat in games such as Black Flag, as players eagerly participated in sea battles and enjoyed exploring the world as a pirate. Consequently, it made sense for the company to introduce a mobile-exclusive Assassin’s Creed game, focusing more intently on the theme of piracy.

As a passionate enthusiast, I found myself immersed in the vibrant world of “Assassin’s Creed: Pirates,” where I took on the role of an ambitious pirate named Alonzo Batilla. My mission was to grow my crew and traverse the beautiful Caribbean landscapes aboard our ship. The game offered a variety of story missions and side activities, but it was the thrilling naval combat that truly stole the show. Engrossed in the experience, I invested roughly forty hours to uncover all the treasures hidden within this engaging mobile adventure.

Assassin’s Creed: Pirates: What Made It Unique?

In this game, naval exploration in the Caribbean takes center stage, with Alonzo’s ship being your primary means of travel. Unlike some games that have contemporary narratives, here you uncover pieces of a larger narrative by discovering missing “documents.” As you progress and level up, you gain access to new crew members through the tavern, which also serves as your base for acquiring new skills.

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2024-10-28 09:55