Assassin’s Creed Origins is releasing soon, and it marks the first main series entry for the series in two years. From 2007 until 2015 there was at least one main title published each year, but to avoid franchise fatigue, Ubisoft gave the newest game a longer development cycle. Origins takes us back in history further than any game before it, all the way to Ptolemaic Egypt (3rd-1st Century BC). It will portray the events that started the rivalry between the Assassin’s Order and the Templar.

We’ve put together a primer on every important concept you need to know going into the game. Whether you’re new to Assassin’s Creed, or if you just need a bit of a refresher, read on for the essential facts of the franchise.

Do I Need to Play the Previous Games Before I Start Assassin’s Creed Origins?

Each Assassin’s Creed game fits into the overall tapestry of the ages long war between the Assassins and the Templar. However, they all tell self-contained stories, so even if you miss out on the bigger picture, you can enjoy moving the various Master Assassins through their respective stories.

Assassin’s Creed Origins is unique in that it will take a look at the beginning of the conflict between the Templar and Assassins. In a way, this game is a perfect one to start with since those two organizations aren’t even established in their modern form yet. You can easily start the series with Origins and not feel like you’ve missed out on anything.

In What Order Should I Play The Assassin’s Creed Games?

If you’ve made up your mind that you want to conquer the previous titles in the series before you take on Assassin’s Creed Origins, your best bet is to play them in the order they came out. However, you only really need to stick to the main games for the most part.

Recommended Order to Play Assassin’s Creed Series

Below is the order we recommend playing the Assassin’s Creed series in along with links to the GameRevolution review for each game and what score it received.

Assassin’s Creed Games Chronological Order

Assassin’s Creed Origins (49 BC) Assassin’s Creed (1191 AD) Assassin’s Creed II (1459-1500 AD) Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood (1500-1507 AD) Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (1511 AD) Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (1712-1722 AD) Assassin’s Creed: Rogue (1752-1760 AD) Assassin’s Creed III (1754-1783 AD) Assassin’s Creed Unity (1776-1808 AD) Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (1868 AD, Briefly 1916 AD)

​What is the Assassin Brotherhood?

The Assassin Order stands by the tenant that through equality and freedom that humanity will eventually realize a peaceful and united culture. Their motto, “Nothing is true, everything is permitted,” references their believes that there is no Universal Truth that will solve all of humanity’s woes and that enforcing a single way of life on everyone is unrealistic, and that diversity of thought is essential for humankind’s prosperity.

The Assassin’s Brotherhood has existed in one form or the other since at least the fourth century BC. Throughout history, the Order has opposed despots and tyrants in cultures and nations all over the world. Unlike the Templar, Assassins practice much more autonomy in their operations, with many working either alone or in small cells.

The signature weapon of the Assassins is the Hidden Blade, a retractable knife worn on the wrist. The Hidden Blade facilitated the stealth, precision kills Assassins value, though individuals are also known to use other martial weapons and even firearms.

Who are the Templar?

The Templar Order is the opposite side of the same coin from the Assassin Brotherhood. While the Assassins promote freedom and equality as the best way for humanity to learn to live in peace, the Templar believe that humankind is inherently corrupt and that utopia can only be forged through an elite few shepherding the masses towards a New World Order.

Although the end goal of the Assassins and the Templar are the same, they’ve been at odds throughout history on their method of execution. Templar are much more rigid in thinking and organization. Each of their members has a rank, with a Grand Master heading each regional unit.

Where dictators or tyrants rule, the Templar flourish, and many battles have been fought between them and the Assassins behind the veils of power for generations. Sometimes the Assassins drive the Templar underground, and sometimes the Templar succeed in wiping areas of Assassin influence. However, eventually, no matter how long their aggressions lie dormant, the two parties always end up renewing the conflict once more.

Who do You Play as in Assassin’s Creed Origins?

In Assassin’s Creed Origins you take the role of Bayek, the last Medjay. The Medjay were members of an Egyptian military order which acted as desert scouts and protected areas designated by the Pharaoh. They also served as a sort of police force, and Bayek fulfills this role in this home village of Siwa. Bayek finds himself in opposition to the current Pharaoh, and the Hellenic (Greek) soldiers that have taken residence throughout Egypt.

When Does Assassin’s Creed Origins Take Place?

The game occurs in 49 BC when the boy-king Ptolemy XIII sat on the throne as Pharaoh of Egypt. By this time the Ptolemaic Dynasty and Egypt as an independent kingdom was nearly at its end. Ptolemy’s wife and sister (gross), Cleopatra, has been forced into exile and part of the game’s story will center around Bayek helping to restore her to the throne as co-monarch.

Assassin’s Creed Origins is set near the pinnacle of the Roman Empire’s influence and power, and during a time when Hellenic influence on the Kingdom of Egypt was at an all-time high. This will give us the unique ability to see architecture and culture from both Egyptian and Greek culture and may provide a bit of insight into the Roman politics of the day as well.

When Does Assassin’s Creed Origins Come Out?

You can get your hands on Assassin’s Creed Origins on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, on October 27, 2017.