Choose Assassin’s Creed Mirage for stealth and planned assassinations, Odyssey for dialogue choices and a long Greek RPG adventure, Valhalla for Viking raids and settlement-building, Origins for exploring Ancient Egypt, or Shadows to switch between a stealth-focused shinobi and a combat-oriented samurai. If you want to see where the series began, try the 2007 original—but expect older pacing and design.
Choose by the kind of play you enjoy
| If you want… | Start with… | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Stealth, parkour, investigations, and planned assassinations | Assassin’s Creed Mirage | Ubisoft presents it as a return to stealth-focused play, with gadgets, contracts, investigations, and a dense Baghdad. The official page also notes a free Valley of Memory update and mission replay. Ubisoft’s Mirage page |
| The early series formula | Assassin’s Creed (2007) | Its core activities include stalking targets, climbing, blending into crowds, and sword duels in the Crusades-era Holy Land. Its design and pacing are older than those of newer entries. Ubisoft’s original game page |
| Dialogue choices, RPG progression, exploration, and naval combat | Assassin’s Creed Odyssey | Choices shape events and endings; Ubisoft describes more than 30 hours of choice dialogue, large battles, land exploration, and naval combat. That dialogue figure is not a general playtime estimate. Ubisoft’s Odyssey page |
| Viking raids, combat, and building a settlement | Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | Its central setup is a Viking clan establishing a home in ninth-century England through raids, combat, alliances, and RPG progression. Ubisoft’s Valhalla page |
| Ancient history, quests, exploration, and weapon-based combat | Assassin’s Creed Origins | It takes place across Ancient Egypt and pairs story quests and varied weapons with a redesigned combat system. It also includes Discovery Tour, an educational mode. Ubisoft’s Origins page |
| A choice between stealth and direct combat | Assassin’s Creed Shadows | Play Naoe for shinobi stealth, infiltration, tools, and parkour, or Yasuke for combat-oriented play. The two protagonists have different skills, stats, progression, and gear. Ubisoft’s Shadows page |
These are recommendations based on Ubisoft’s descriptions of each game, not an objective ranking or a claim of hands-on testing.
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Which game suits a stealth-first player?
For a modern stealth focus: Mirage
Mirage is the clearest fit among these modern choices if you want to avoid open fights and prepare for assassinations. Basim is described as a fragile protagonist who relies on hiding spots, tools, parkour, scouting, and investigations in Baghdad. Its stealth emphasis distinguishes it from the broader RPG focus of Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFor the original approach: Assassin’s Creed
The 2007 game offers the early template: observe targets, climb, use crowds, and fight with historical weapons. Choose it for the series’ beginnings rather than expecting the pacing or systems of a recent release.
#1 Best Overall
- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE- Strike fear in your foes as you board and sink enemy vessels as Edward Kenway, captain of the Jackdaw. Whether blending into crowds or leading daring assaults, switch between silent takedowns and fierce brawls as you effortlessly wield swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade. With a cast of historical pirate legends at your side, defy empires amidst the age-old conflict opposing Assassins and Templars.
- A CLASSIC REBUILT FOR AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE- Combat has been rebuilt for more dynamic encounters, emphasizing parries and takedowns, while stealth and parkour have been improved for smoother escapes and assassinations. Continuously upgrade the Jackdaw to face powerful enemy ships with enhanced naval mechanics featuring new alternate fire modes. Quality-of-life additions also address previous pain points, ensuring your experience is improved.
- THE CARIBBEAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE- Whether you’re sailing the open seas or journeying across untamed lands, discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine. Take in sweeping vistas as you brave stormy waters, dive into underwater shipwrecks, or push through dense tropical jungles. Enhanced by features such as Dolby Atmos and ray tracing, every scene feels more immersive, bringing the world’s beauty to life.
- EXPANDING EDWARD’S ADVENTURE- Building on top of the original story, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced introduces exclusive new content. Familiar faces will return, with new storylines dedicated to fan-favorite characters such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Unexpected allies will also cross your path, as three officers join you on your journey as part of the main narrative. More surprises await, such as new sea shanties, pets, a photo mode, and more.
For stealth alongside a combat alternative: Shadows
Shadows makes the contrast part of the choice: Naoe is the stealth specialist, while Yasuke is oriented toward combat. It suits players who want a newer game that does not lock them into one approach for the entire experience.
Which game has the RPG systems and scale you want?
Odyssey: choices and a Greek adventure
Odyssey is the strongest match if branching dialogue and decisions are a priority. Ubisoft describes choices that shape events and multiple endings, alongside exploration of Ancient Greece, naval combat, and large battles. Its Discovery Tour is an optional mode.
Rank #2
- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content includes the base game and Sekiryu Character Pack
- Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles.
- Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
- Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
Valhalla: raids, alliances, and a home in England
Pick Valhalla if the appeal is building a Viking settlement and expanding your clan’s foothold through raids and alliances. Its RPG mechanics support that central fantasy; its emphasis is different from Odyssey’s Greek mercenary journey and naval focus.
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Origins: Egypt, quests, and combat redesign
Origins is the earlier RPG-era redesign among these three. It shifts attention toward exploration across Egypt, story quests, and weapon-and-loot combat rather than the compact-city emphasis of earlier entries. Discovery Tour presents Egypt through guided tours curated by historians and Egyptologists.
Rank #3
- Includes both Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed Rogue, plus all single-player DLC.
- Become the most feared pirate in the Caribbean in Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag. Take part in an award-winning naval experience and explore a massive open world.
- Become the ultimate assassin hunter in Assassin’s Creed Rogue, and play as a Templar for the first time in franchise history.
- Additional bonus content: Black Beard: The Lost Journal (pp. 1– 55) and Assassin’s Creed: Awakening Volumes 1 & 2.
- Experience enhanced features like handheld mode, HD Rumble, a touch screen interface, and motion control aiming.
How do the games differ in combat?
For a character-based split between sneaking and fighting, Shadows offers the clearest contrast: Naoe favors stealth, while Yasuke is combat-oriented. Valhalla foregrounds Viking fighting and raids; Origins emphasizes varied weapons and its rebuilt combat system.
There is also a meaningful difference in how stealth kills work. Ubisoft’s overview of stealth design says Origins and Odyssey moved from guaranteed stealth kills toward stealth damage until upgrades; Valhalla included a setting for instantly lethal Hidden Blade kills or a timing challenge; and Mirage was designed with stealth in mind. These descriptions explain system differences, not which game feels best to every player. Ubisoft’s stealth-history article
Rank #4
- A BRASH REBEL ASSASSIN: Become Edward Kenway, a charismatic yet brutal pirate captain, trained by Assassins. Edward can effortlessly switch between the Hidden Blade of the Assassin's Order and all new weaponry including four flintock pistols and dual cutlass swords
- EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD FILLED WITH OPPORTUNITIES: Discover the most diverse Assassin's Creed world ever created. From Kingston to Nassau, explore 50 unique locations where you can live the life of a pirate
- BECOME THE MOST FEARED PIRATE IN THE CARIBBEAN: Command your ship, the Jackdaw, and strike fear in all who see her. Plunder and pillage to upgrade the Jackdaw with ammunition and equipment needed to fight off enemy ships
- EXPERIENCE THE GRITTY REALITY BEHIND THE PIRATE FANTASY: Stand amongst legendary names such as Blackbeard and Benjamin Hornigold, as you establish a lawless Republic in the Bahamas and relive the truly explosive events that defined the Golden Age of Pirates
- MULTIPLAYER EXPERIENCE: Play with your friends in the ruthless and critically acclaimed multiplayer experience. Choose from an eclectic cast of characters from the Golden Age of Pirates and fight to the death in exotic locations
What to check before buying
Platform support can vary by title and change over time. Check the current Ubisoft page for the exact game and system you own before buying; do not assume that availability for one entry applies to the rest. As listed on the cited official pages, Origins and Odyssey have their own platform listings; Valhalla lists PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, PC storefronts, Amazon Luna, and Ubisoft+; Mirage lists PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, PC storefronts, Amazon Luna, and compatible Apple devices; and Shadows lists PS5, PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. These listings may change, so use the linked game pages for current compatibility.
Ubisoft also names the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Complete Official Guide by Piggyback for players who want a reference while exploring the game. Its current retail availability is not established here.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
