Are All the Assassin’s Creed Games Connected?
In short, yes, the Assassin’s Creed series is deeply connected through recurring characters, events, and historical periods. Each game is a standalone adventure, but they are woven together by a complex web of storytelling and historical influences.
Main Recurring Characters
The Assassin’s Creed series features a recurring cast of characters, including the Templars, a secret society dedicated to preserving their version of civilization, and the Assassins, a group of vigilantes fighting for justice and freedom. Other recurring characters include:
- Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, the first Assassin protagonist in the series, who appeared in Assassin’s Creed and Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection.
- Ezio Auditore, the main protagonist of Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations.
- Edward Kenway, the protagonist of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed: Rogue.
- Connor Kenway, the protagonist of Assassin’s Creed III and Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD.
- Arno Victor-Dornes, the protagonist of Assassin’s Creed: Unity.
- Haytham Kenway, a major antagonist in Assassin’s Creed III and Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD.
- Cassius Parmensis, a mysterious character mentioned in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla and Assassin’s Creed: Mirage.
Historical Influences
The Assassin’s Creed series draws inspiration from various historical periods, including:
- Ancient Mesopotamia, with Assassin’s Creed’s Altair and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations.
- Renaissance Italy, with Assassin’s Creed II and Brotherhood.
- Golden Age of Piracy, with Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed: Rogue.
- American Revolution, with Assassin’s Creed III and Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD.
- French Revolution, with Assassin’s Creed: Unity.
- Norman Conquest of England, with Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla.
- Arabian Nights, with Assassin’s Creed: Mirage.
Gameplay Mechanics
Some Assassin’s Creed games feature unique gameplay mechanics that contribute to the series’ connectedness:
- Desmond Miles, a key character in the first three games, uses a Wii Remote-like device called the Animus to relive his ancestors’ memories.
- The Creed, a philosophical code shared among Assassin protagonists, guides their actions and decisions.
- Abstergo, a Templar front organization, appears in various games, often as a symbol of the Templars’ control over historical events.
- The Pieces of Eden, ancient artifacts believed to have the power to change the course of history, play a significant role in many games.
Connection and Timeline
While the Assassin’s Creed games can be played in any order, they are interconnected by a shared timeline. The events of each game unfold chronologically, with the latest games taking place centuries after the earliest:
- Assassin’s Creed: Mirage is set in the 13th century, during the Middle East’s Golden Age of trade and cultural exchange.
- Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla takes place in the 9th century, during the Viking Age in England.
- Assassin’s Creed: Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection features the story of Altaïr, who lived in the 12th century.
- Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag takes place in the early 18th century, during the Golden Age of Piracy.
- Assassin’s Creed III occurs in the late 18th century, during the American Revolution.
In conclusion, the Assassin’s Creed series is connected through its recurring characters, historical influences, and shared gameplay mechanics. While each game is a standalone adventure, they are woven together by a complex web of storytelling and historical events.