Assassin's Creed Chronicles

Lore & Background

The series comprises three entries: Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China, released on April 21, 2015; Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India, released on January 13, 2016; and Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia, released on February 9, 2016. A collection of all three games was released on February 9, 2016, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and on April 5, 2016, for the PlayStation Vita. Each game follows a different protagonist: Shao Jun in 16th-century Ming dynasty China, Arbaaz Mir in 19th-century Sikh Empire India, and Nikolai Orelov in early 20th-century Russia.

Reader's Guide

The Assassin's Creed Chronicles sub-series is significant for introducing a 2.5D side-scrolling gameplay style to the franchise, emphasizing stealth and combat within linear levels. Players are scored at the end of each level based on detection, kills, and optional objectives, with ranks such as Shadow, Assassin, and Brawler (replaced by Silencer in India and Russia). The series expands the Assassin's Creed lore by exploring historical settings and characters not covered in the main games, such as Shao Jun's mission to eliminate the Eight Tigers in China, Arbaaz Mir's retrieval of the Koh-i-Noor diamond in India, and Nikolai Orelov's use of a custom Berdan rifle in Russia. Its legacy lies in offering a distinct, stylized experience that complements the main series, though it remains a niche entry within the broader franchise.

Did You Know?

• The series features 2.5D environments inspired by traditional brush paintings.
• In China, Shao Jun wields a jian sword, throwing knives, firecrackers, and noise-creating darts.
• In Russia, Nikolai Orelov possesses a custom Berdan rifle with a bayonet and a grapnel gun that can produce electricity.