With Assassin’s Creed Shadows set to release on the 20th of March this year, I wanted to go back and look at my top three Assassin’s Creed games. Why? Because I’m keen as a bean for Shadows, I don’t care what anyone says…I’m willing to give it a chance!
Now, I don’t think there is a bad Assassin’s Creed game, per se; some are just way better than others on the franchise spectrum. With that being said, let’s take a leap of faith and dive in!
Where it all began! Where history was made. Hear me out – I know this game is very basic compared to the later titles with somewhat stiff parkour and playing it nowadays has definitely aged, but I love it for what it represents. This game changed my life as a gamer. When I first played this game, it hooked me. I became fully invested in the story and loved the stealthy gameplay; it just hit all the right spots in my young brain. Playing this game and experiencing it truly felt like something new and unlike anything I had played at the time. I was all in, invested fully and eager to see what else Assassin’s Creed would do.
For this reason, it holds a special place in my heart. You could argue that Assassin’s Creed feels barebones nowadays, but back in the day, this was a pivotal game; nothing else was like it. The closest thing we had was Prince of Persia, and that was totally different. Similar, don’t get me wrong, but executed in a vastly different way. Assassin’s Creed was pivotal in the sense that it sparked an entire series and movement in gaming.
Where do I even begin? Assassin’s Creed 2 took everything that made the first game awesome and dialed it up to 50! We literally see the birth of Ezio Auditore, one of gaming’s most beloved characters. His story of revenge for his family was engaging because I cared for Ezio as a character. He had way more personality than Altair, and I instantly loved him. He felt human. From amazing set pieces and timeless missions to iconic musical themes, Assassin’s Creed 2 is a must-play for any fan of the series. It’s so fascinating to wander through 15th-century Florence in the Italian Renaissance. The world was lovingly created to show a rich part of history, and it gives us such an intriguing experience.
I distinctly remember when this game was released, as I had to wait to play it. I was lucky enough that my parents bought the Auditore Edition for me for Christmas… but I had to wait till Christmas. First-world problems, I know.
The lead-up to Brotherhood was insane; I must’ve replayed the cinematic trailer 300 times just pawing over the game. I’d read magazines about it, watch gameplay trailers, and obsess over everything. Not only did it keep the amazing structure, masterful storytelling and rich atmosphere of Assassin’s Creed 2, but it also added new elements to keep it interesting. The fact that we could now recruit Assassin’s blew my mind. Even the modern-day story in this was brilliant, with players hiding out in the Auditore Villa. The missions were just as iconic as AC2, but the better thing was that now they were replayable, which is why it topped AC2 in my books.
As a franchise, Assassin’s Creed will always hold a special place in my heart because it made me the gamer I am today. It’s my roots, and I’m excited to see what future Assassin’s Creed games will be.
Well, that’s my top three Assassin’s Creed games. What are your top three? Are you keen for Shadows?
Show some Assassin’s Creed love in the comments below!
