GAMERS DECIDE - Assassins's Creed: Black Flag

[Top 10] Best Assassin's Creed Games of All Time (Ranked)

SwaZee — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 08:46:28 +0000

Assassin’s Creed is one of the most iconic video games of all time; a series that inspired millions of kids around the globe to put on a random hoodie and start walking around with a pen strapped to their wrists, secured by a random rubber band. Not only that, but many of them are just damn good games!

With over 20 installments in the franchise, however, it is only natural that there are some stinkers. However, this also went on to show us that the best games in the series are so good that they can completely change the trajectory of the entire franchise. So, let’s take a look at the best games!

10. Assassin’s Creed - 2007 (PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360)

Trailer: Altaïr's Escapades

The one that started it all. 2007’s Assassin’s Creed is the one that really took the entire stealth-action video game genre to the next level and definitely revolutionized the gaming industry. Altaïr was a great and super badass protagonist and he really showed everyone the game and how it works.

With a primary focus on stealth based gameplay and fluid movement throughout the city by way of parkour, it did really well to set the groundworks that the rest of the series followed. Though, if you play it now, it obviously doesn’t hold up as well due to it being a 2007 release. Despite that, however, it is still a classic for a reason!

Choose AC1 if you like:

To see the roots of where the franchise came from
To see fan favorite assassin, Altaïr, in action
A faithfully reimagined historical setting of the Crusades

9. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey - 2018 (PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, Nintendo Switch)

Trailer: Truly an Odyssey

I’ll be very clear here; this is not an Assassin’s Creed game. Ubisoft just really wanted to make an open world fantasy RPG so they slapped on the AC brand to make it sell more copies. I should also note that as a pure Assassin’s Creed game, this would be at the very bottom of the list because it has very little to do with the fundamentals of the series.

The stealth aspect literally feels like an afterthought as combat seems to favor direct engagements rather than the sneaky approach. However, other than that, this is far and away the most beautiful game Ubisoft has ever made, which is really saying something. Odyssey is vast and is the perfect game for those that love everything about Ancient Greece.

Choose Odyssey if you like:

Vast and sprawling open worlds
Beautiful locations
Ancient Greece and ancient history
Mythology
Something to immerse yourself and spend hours in

8. Assassin’s Creed Revelations - 2011 (PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360)

Trailer: Revelations

Our third game with the legendary Ezio Auditore was the perfect way to say goodbye to this character whose life we saw progress in its entirety and is one of the reasons why he is unanimously regarded as one of the greatest video game protagonists ever written. We saw his growth from a brash young man to an aged legend of the Brotherhood at the end of his career.

The game takes place in a great and faithful recreation of Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) and is the best place to cap off Ezio’s story. The map is beautiful and very historically relevant, along with entirely new gameplay mechanics that, at this point of the story, were really great and would later go on to be staples of the series. Plus, you have a really cool new kind of hidden blade.

Choose Revelations if you like:

A very historically relevant sandbox map to explore
Ezio’s story
Brilliant characters and story

7. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate - 2015 (PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, Nintendo Switch)

Trailer: Become the boss of London

AC Syndicate was the much anticipated follow up to the troubled launch of Unity and was also one that many fans were eagerly anticipating. This is because London was a setting that players had been asking for many years at this point for a number of reasons; namely the aesthetics and the fact that it served as the perfect AC setting.

While it is far from a perfect game and has a number of problems, it is still a great time you can have. The story and characters are far more light hearted than most other games in the series, which some may like and others might not, but London is absolutely gorgeous and faithfully recreated and there are so many things to do and secrets to uncover that you will have a great time doing it. This is also the only game in the series that features 2 different characters with their own strengths and weaknesses so each mission feels fresh and entertaining.

Choose Syndicate if you like:

Feeling like a mob boss
New and improved parkour
Playing with 2 unique characters

6. Assassin’s Creed 3 - 2012 (PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U)

Trailer: How many fools can I kill today? Anyone? No?

Assassin’s Creed 3 was the final game that concluded the overarching modern day apocalypse arc and was also the final game where we get to play as fan favorite modern day character, Desmond Miles. While this game was initially met with a fair bit of criticism, it has proved itself to be one that has aged considerably well and it feels just the same to play it today as it did back in 2012.

AC3 has us playing as Conor Kenway; the tallest, broadest and most physically imposing of all the assassins that we see in the entire franchise. He is an absolute force to be reckoned with and he is an absolute tank with the best assassin robes out of everyone that we see in these games. Though this game is one that is slow to begin, it is a really great time.

As Conor, we fight the Templars in Colonial America and get revenge on those who have wronged us, all set in a brilliant recreation of the United States.

Choose AC3 if you like:

To play as an absolute unit of a man
American history
To hate on the British
Compelling characters
Rich world

5. Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood - 2010 (PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360)

Trailer: Roma Invicta

Brotherhood was the second game with Ezio as the protagonist and it saw him further along in his quest to restore the Assassin Brotherhood, while at the same time following through with his quest to get revenge on his family's enemies, the Borgias.

It saw Ezio move on from his home to Rome and while the story itself wasn’t as memorable as that of AC2, the rest of the game is nothing short of a masterpiece, with hundreds of things to do and secrets to uncover. Even the eternal city of Rome was absolutely incredible and is one of the best settings in the series.

Choose Brotherhood if you like:

A ton of memorable side content
Tons of secrets to uncover
A great setting
A great story

4. Assassin’s Creed Origins - 2017 (PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Stadia)

Trailer: The Start of the Brotherhood

Origins was the first of the RPG Assassin’s Creed games and is by far the best out of all of them. This is because while it was the first to introduce RPG mechanics to the series, it never forgets its identity as an AC game. The mystery and grounded-in-reality allure of the series is in full swing in Origins.

Set in one of the best worlds that Ubisoft has ever made, Ancient Egypt is a faithful and great place that shows that when they actually try, Ubisoft can make truly legendary worlds. All this is topped off with Bayek, arguably the best protagonist in the franchise and the one with the best performance out of all of them. A must try for all fans of the series.

Choose Origins if you like:

Ancient Egypt
Mysterious worlds
Origin of the Assassin Brotherhood
History
Immersive games to spend hours in

3. Assassin’s Creed Unity - 2014 (PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Stadia)

Trailer: Libery, Equality, Fraternity

This is a pick that I might get some hate for. When Unity launched back in 2014, it was a bug ridden mess that honestly brought down the entire experience a lot for the players. It was lauded as the next revolutionary game in the series in terms of the gameplay, so naturally it garnered a ton of excitement amongst the fandom, but was unfortunately too buggy initially.

However, Unity is now the game that holds up better than any other in the franchise after all the technical problems have been fixed. It is still absolutely gorgeous and by far the most fluid and compelling in terms of movement, animation and action.

Arno is also the most stealthy and deadly assassin in the entire series and in this game, a lot of focus is put on the secretive nature of the Assassins and the stealth that they exercise. Due to this, this is the most true AC game in the franchise and the one that sticks to the identity of the franchise the best.

Choose Unity if you like:

Detailed and alive cities
Shows, movies and games that have secret societies
Amazing parkour, animation and movement
Immersive storytelling

2. Assassin’s Creed 2 - 2009 (PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360)

Trailer: It's a good life we lead

Yet another controversial pick! Assassin’s Creed 2 was really the game that put this series on the map and made it a staple and iconic franchise of the industry. It was the game that introduced us to Ezio, one of the greatest characters ever made. This game had everything; from a bustling city, incredible story, characters, secrets and so much more left to uncover.

Most fans of the series tend to put this at the very top of the list and it is very easy to see why. It is honestly a toss up between the top 2 games in the series and AC2 can definitely take it. The reason it isn’t at the top of the list for me is because it doesn’t hold up as well as it once did back in 2009.

Ezio is a character that feels like a good friend, and running around on the streets of Venice and Florence in this game makes us spend time with him and get to know him, etching this game experience into our minds forever.

Choose AC2 if you like:

Rich storytelling
Amazing characters
Incredible and emotional story
Secrets
Rich worlds

1. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag - 2013 (PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360)

Trailer: It's a pirate's life for me

Black Flag is the best Assassin’s Creed game for reasons that may not be very easy to understand for outsiders to the franchise. All these games are very immersive, but Flag Black takes that to a level not seen before or since, in that it actually feels like a home away from home. It is just very odd to explain.

Black Flag took the moment to moment gameplay of AC3 and refined it incredibly well, due to which it also further added many things that are now main stays for the franchise. The ship combat was greatly expanded upon and was made into one of the main parts of the game and was just the most fun thing ever, allowing every player to live out their childhood pirate fantasies!

But despite all the new features and the amazing gameplay and the breathtaking locations, Black Flag excelled most in its characters and stories. Edward starts off as a greedy pirate only looking out for himself, eventually becoming an Assassin and never losing his humor or charm, making him stand shoulder to shoulder with Bayek and Ezio as the best characters in the series.

The supporting characters and main story were all just as amazing, with Black Flag delivering one of the most heart wrenching and beautiful endings I have ever seen in a video game.

Choose Black Flag if you like:

Amazing gameplay
Pirates
Amazing story
Amazing characters
Just good video games

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Main Image caption:

Me and the Brotherhood

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[Top 15] Best Assassin Games for PS4 (Ranked Fun To Most Fun)

Aaronnluke — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 00:11:31 +0000

Assassin games are some of the most beloved types of games out there. Most have a premise that is easy to execute and hard to mess up. They’re endlessly fun and usually present a mix between challenging combat and puzzles. And what better than to talk about the best assassin games that can be found on one of the most beloved gaming consoles, the PlayStation 4?

The PS4 is personally my favorite console. I’ve had one since they first came out and still use it constantly to this day. I have many fond memories, and many of them were spent playing assassin games, which allowed me to fall in love with the genre. A few of my memories are of playing the very games on this list.

And for such a beloved console, it’s guaranteed to have some of the best assassin games out there. Every game on this list is great, but out of the 15 I have hand-picked, there is bound to be a winner. None of these games are bad, not one, but when it comes to personal opinion, there has to be one over the other. Although I can guarantee you will enjoy the games on this list.

15. Mark of the Ninja: Remastered

Released in 2012 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Linux, Nintendo Switch)

Mark of the Ninja was a game that was pretty well-known back in 2012. It was first released for Xbox solely, but a few years later it was given a remastered version for the PlayStation 4. And I’m glad this game was spread to other consoles, giving more players a chance to experience it.

In Mark of the Ninja, you play as an unnamed ninja who wakes up after his clan has been attacked. You now must hunt down the group responsible, traveling through various levels and taking out different enemies. Mark of the Ninja is a stealth game first and foremost, and it encourages the player to hide in the shadows in its 2-D plane. The art style is fun and cartoony, though that only makes it hard to take Mark of the Ninja as seriously when compared to the other games on this list.

Choose this game if you like:

Stealthy and tactical gameplay
Fun and interesting art styles
Using different tools and techniques

Fun factor score: 50/100

14. Styx: Shards of Darkness

Released in 2017 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)

Styx: Shards of Darkness is a small franchise I was delighted to discover. It has a concept very different, and might I say refreshing, from the other games on this list. However, like all games, this one is not without its flaws.

Styx takes place in a world of mythical beings and monsters, and goblins are creatures thought to be dumb and greedy. However, in this game you play as Styx, an intelligent and resourceful goblin turned assassin for hire. Styx’s abilities have turned him into quite the master assassin, and you must use those skills to travel through different, well-designed levels and take out an array of enemies. Although, it has to be said that the story isn’t that memorable and the farther you make it into the game the more you find reused level concepts.

Choose this game if you like:

Fantastical worlds and settings
Sneaking your way past enemies
A combat system centered around assassination and magic

Fun factor score: 53/100

13. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun

Released in 2017 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, Amazon Luna)

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun spins the original assassin game concept and presents it in its own unique style. It’s similar to Mark of the Ninja in that way, but this one is more comparable to an RPG set in futile Japan.

In Shadow Tactics, you must play as a variety of different characters, including samurais and thieves, to traverse through Japanese-styled campaigns and take out a variety of foes. Each playable character has their own set of interesting abilities, and the player has a lot of customization to their gameplay, not to mention the amazing story. Although that gameplay can be a little infuriating at times with difficulty spikes and weird camera movements, Shadow Tactics is a game worth checking out.

Choose this game if you like:

Emotionally touching storylines
Historical, Japanese settings
Great cast of playable characters

Fun factor score: 57/100

12. Middle Earth: Shadow of War

Released in 2017 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)

Middle Earth: Shadow of War is not only a great assassin game but a game any Lord of the Rings fan would love. It has aspects from both the genre and the beloved book series, which all come together for something truly unique.

Shadow of War picks up with an archer named Talion who shares his body with the supernatural elf lord Celebrimbor. The story starts after they craft a new ring of power then lose it, causing them to travel the world of middle earth. Shadow of War is fun with a nice blend of traditional and supernatural combat and monsters like Orcs to interact with, fight, and sometimes befriend. There are five different zones to travel through which all look unique, yet those differences are only surface level. The story is also sometimes drawn out and mundane.

Choose this game if you like:

Revisiting classic Lord of the Ring settings
An interesting supernatural and physical combat system
Interacting with many mythical creatures

Fun factor rating: 60/100

11. For Honor

Released in 2017 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)

For Honor is a game I was only able to play a small amount of. It’s a complex game with many layers that center around an amazing fighting system that makes any mundane story worth it.

Like I said, what makes For Honor so great is its complex fighting system with many layers of attacks, blocks, parries, and so much more. Combat is very much engaging with its third-person perspective. And the player gets to customize their combat by being able to choose between different factions such as Samurais and Vikings, which all have their own unique fighting style. The story itself in For Honor is very bland, as you can tell the developers spent the brunt of their time on combat and worldbuilding. However, the combat system alone makes this game great.

Choose this game if you like:

Customizing your game by choosing between a variety of warriors
Learning the arts of many different styles of combat
Engaging in truly amazing forms of fighting

Fun factor score: 63/100

10. Sniper Elite 4

Released in 2017 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)

Sniper Elite 4 is another game I was only able to play a little bit of, but I wish I could have seen more of this wonder. It’s a game that takes the known sniper concept but expands upon it, creating more of an open world, sandbox experience.

In this game, you play as an expert sniper who travels to eight different locations and maps to take down Nazi threats. If you hate Nazis, you’ll like this game. Each level is about an hour long, but they don’t drag on, as you’re kept on your toes the entire time. You must use your intelligence and tactical thinking to take down enemies, which means creativity is encouraged. There are also multiplayer modes so you can play with friends. The only miss is that there isn’t much variety with weapons to upgrade to.

Choose this game if you like:

Exploring vast, expansive campaigns during every level
Engaging in sniper combat that has never been seen before
Playing with friends in co-op missions

Fun factor score: 65/100

9. Dishonored: Death of the Outsider

Released in 2017 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)

Dishonored: Death of the Outsider is a sequel to the beloved Dishonored 2. Though not very anticipated, Death of the Outsider is a great ending to the story told throughout the first two games.

Death of the Outsider takes place after the events of Dishonored 2 and follows Billie Lurke, a fan-favorite character from the main game, who goes on a mission to find an item that can kill the Outsider. The story isn’t anything special, as some of the tropes are a bit cliché, but it’s a nice closing to the Dishonored franchise. The new supernatural abilities that Billie Lurke possess are fun with major differences from the characters in the game before it. This game also takes place in the beautiful Karnaca, which is a plus in my book.

Choose this game if you like:

Engaging in supernatural assassin combat
Facing a wide variety of targets to take down
Finishing the Dishonored story

Fun factor score: 70/100

8. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Released in 2015 (PC, PlayStation 3, and 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Metal Gear Solid is a very beloved franchise with many titles and iconic characters. And this game, The Phantom Pain is a great addition to this epic series.

You play as the iconic Mercenary Punished “Venom” Snake who ventures into Soviet-occupied Afghan territory in the year 1984. Although the story isn’t as good as the other games, its open world concept and vast array of abilities makes this game great. You’re free to travel anywhere and have an almost sandbox freedom to complete the levels. You have almost any type of tool or weapon you can think of at your disposal, but that can leave the player overwhelmed with so many things they are expected to master. However, this is one of the best Metal Gear Solid games out there.

Choose this game if you like:

Open-world settings that are free to explore
Innovative, photo-realistic graphics
Using a wide variety of tools and weapons

Fun factor score: 73/100

7. Hitman 2016

Released in 2016 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux)

Hitman 2016 is a soft reboot to a beloved 20-year franchise, and the first entry of the “World of Assassination” trilogy. Hitman 2016 is a game I have a soft spot for, and I believe it is one of the best assassin games out there.

In Hitman, you play as the trained assassin Agent 47, a hitman who goes all around the world to complete various contracts and take out a variety of targets. In each mission, the player is left to their own devices in a sandbox setting. There are linear paths to follow to make the mission easier, yet those are merely suggestions. The best part of Hitman is truly how creative you can be and how you can replay a level repeatedly and get different results. But I don’t believe this game is as good as the rest on this list.

Choose this game if you like:

Masterful assassination gameplay
A sandbox experience open to interpretation
Many individual stories to be told

Fun factor score: 75/100

6. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey

Released in 2018 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia)

Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey is a worthy addition to the beloved and epic Assassin’s Creed franchise. And like all AC games, Odyssey is set in a beautifully vast world, this time in a rich Greek setting.

Odyssey is the first AC game to be released after the soft reboot of the series that was Origins. In this game, you play as either Alexios or Kassandra, two siblings who were Spartans turned mercenaries in a beautiful ancient-Greek setting during the horrors of the Peloponnesian War. Each character is flexible, and you can have them act however you want to, which makes way for some interesting side missions and story segments. There’s also a naval combat system like Black Flag, yet it’s never been this good.

Choose this game if you like:

Engaging in long, epic battles
Experience the beautiful world of Ancient Greece
Customizing your game and story, resulting in multiple endings

Fun factor score: 77/100

5. Ghost of Tsushima

Released in 2020 (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5)

Ghost of Tsushima is a game that was released pretty recently and takes many of the beloved elements from other franchises such as Assassin’s Creed. It takes the common concept of an assassin samurai but creates something truly unique and interesting.

With an Assassin’s Creed-esque premise and a huge, feudal Japan world to explore, Ghost of Tsushima is an amazing game. You play as Jinn Sakai, a samurai who is bent on breaking his uncle out of captivity, but by the time this touching story ends, you’re left wanting more. The world is beautiful, but combat is challenging but great. You will have to time the perfect attack or dodge and even small mistakes may cost you your life, but that only incentivizes the player to hone their skills.

Choose this game if you like:

Meeting a variety of believable characters
A fresh samurai assassin premise
A challenging combat system

Fun factor score: 80/100

4. Dishonored 2

Released in 2016 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)

Dishonored 2 is a game loved by fans for its creativity and innovation. It’s something familiar yet new, with a wonderful assassin premise and a story that will leave you wanting more. Yet, if you do want more out of the story, that’s what Death of the Outsider is for.

Dishonored 2 starts 15 years after the first game during a remembrance ceremony for the empress. During the ceremony, a witch named Delilah Copperspoon shows up claiming she has a right to the throne and orders her men to attack, which forces the player to choose between playing as Emily Kaldwin or her father Corvo Attano. Now, the player must use their supernatural skills and abilities to take down the wicked witch. This game is great for its beautiful setting and engaging story, not to mention the awesome combat system.

Choose this game if you like:

Playing with believable and highly skilled assassins
Advanced supernatural powers
Exploring a vast and creative world

Fun factor score: 85/100

3. Hitman 3

Released in 2021 (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia)

Hitman 3 is a game I feel I could go on forever about. It’s the latest addition to the Hitman franchise and the epic ending to the “World of Assassination” trilogy. I just adore this game and the franchise as a whole.

Hitman 3 is the culmination of a 20 year-long franchise that has more or less soared since the first installment back in 2000. Hitman 3 is one of the best assassin games out there, with a great story of assassins and deception, many characters to meet, and a true sandbox experience. You can be creative with this game, and more so than ever with advanced graphics and gameplay. I don’t think there’s such a free assassin experience out there like Hitman 3.

Choose this game if you like:

Travelling the world by visiting a variety of real-world cities
Become a master assassin by placing yourself in the shoes of Agent 47
Playing through a true sandbox experience

Fun factor score: 90/100

2. Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag

Released in 2013 (PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, Google Stadia)

Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag is regarded as one of the best Assassin’s Creed games of all time, and I can wholeheartedly say that I agree. With believable characters, an amazing world, and an ever-fun ship to steer, Black Flag is one of the best assassin games out there.

You play as a pirate turned assassin named Edward Kenway as he traverses the Caribbean. You can visit many places in this game, mostly through the use of the new ship navigation and combat system. The story centers around Kenway as he is caught in the middle of the eternal struggle between assassins and templars, sprouting into an epic and emotional conflict. Black Flag has a great combat system and is all around an amazing game.

Choose this game if you like:

Becoming a charismatic pirate assassin
Exploring a beautiful open world
Playing through a realistic pirate storyline

Fun factor score: 95/100

1. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Released in 2019 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia)

I can go on about how great I think this game is, but I don’t think Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice needs much of an introduction. It was titled IGN’s “best action game” of 2019 and for great reason, because Sekiro is an amazing game with many premises that feel very familiar yet new and inspired.

In Sekiro, you play as Wolf, a Shinobi traveling through a world of monstrous creatures and demons. The story is dark and touching, as Wolf travels to find the samurai clan that once kidnapped him, yet the combat system is what this game is known for. You must be strategic but also know how to act on your feet, with a challenging lock-on system. And the bosses are interesting and well designed, confronting the player with an unforgettable fight.

Choose this game if you like:

An amazing and new combat system
Battling a variety of monsters and demons
Engaging in challenging fights

Fun factor score: 100/100

There are a lot of great assassin games out there to choose from. There are a lot more that cannot be found on the PlayStation 4, but I don’t think you can get much better than the games listed here.

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Main Image caption:

There are so many great assassin games out there, and many can be played on one of the most beloved consoles, the PS4

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