The latest addition to Ubisoft's acclaimed series of stealth-action open-world games, Assassin's Creed Shadows, has finally arrived, bringing players back into the thrilling world of historical intrigue and adventure. As the 14th mainline installment, this game transports players to 16th-century Japan, where they can embody the characters Naoe and Yasuke. With over 30 games under the Assassin's Creed banner, it's time to reflect on where Shadows stands among its predecessors. We're focusing solely on the mainline entries here, excluding mobile games, side-scrollers, VR experiences, and spin-offs like Bloodlines or Liberation.
The journey began in 2007 with Desmond Miles stepping into the Animus to relive the life of Altaïr, and now, 18 years later, the series continues to evolve. To help you gauge where Shadows might fit in your personal ranking, I've created a tier list based on my own experience with each game. Check out my personal ranking below:
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remains my top pick, cherished for its blend of island exploration, exhilarating ship combat, and a vibrant cast of characters. It sits in the S-tier alongside Assassin's Creed 2, the game that truly put the series on the map. Surprisingly, Valhalla makes it into the A-tier, appreciated for its Viking-themed combat and the engaging Orlog minigame. Unity also joins this tier, praised for its breathtaking recreation of Paris during the French Revolution.
If you find yourself disagreeing with my rankings—perhaps you believe Valhalla is overly bloated or that Assassin's Creed 2 is overrated—feel free to create your own tier list. Rank the mainline Assassin's Creed games according to your preferences and compare your S, A, B, C, and D tiers with the IGN community.
Are you enjoying Assassin's Creed Shadows? Share your thoughts and tell us where you'd like the series to venture next. Leave your comments below and explain why you've ranked the games in your chosen order.
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