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Let’s look back at all Assassin’s Creed Cinematic Trailers up until AC Mirage and rank them based on how epic they are.
There’s nothing quite like a CGI cinematic trailer for an Assassin’s Creed game. It’s the kind of spectacle that captures your imagination and sends shivers down your spine. With each new installment, Ubisoft delivers a breathtaking, story-driven trailer that immerses you in its world before you’ve even seen a single frame of gameplay. There’s just something about these trailers that hypes you up. You won’t know much about the gameplay, sure, but it’s a moment where time slows down, the music swells, and you feel the undeniable pull of adventure calling.
Let’s look back at all Assassin’s Creed CGI Cinematic Trailers up until AC Mirage and rank them based on how epic they are.
Note: Some parts of this article are subjective and reflect the writer’s opinions.
13. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Probably has one of the weakest cinematic trailers out of all the AC games so far. At this point, the series was already well-known for its cinematic trailers. When this trailer came out, it just felt underwhelming that it’s mostly footage taken from its game engine. I guess the developers were trying to showcase their next-gen game engine. However, I still wished it had a full-fledged CGI cinematic trailer like the other ones on the list.
12. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
The cinematic for Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is actually pretty good. We have Jacob doing his thing. The action scene where he fights multiple enemies one at a time is a bit cliché, but it was a pretty intense fight scene, especially the bar fight. There are fewer stealth scenes here, but it makes sense—Jacob is the brawl-type character.
But when you think about it, this is the first installment in the series to introduce two playable protagonists. Where is Evie in the trailer? It feels like a missed opportunity to add more hype by showing the chemistry between the two main characters. It would have been such a treat to see this trailer and realize we get to play with two protagonists.
11. Assassin’s Creed Rogue
We’re so used to seeing the perspective of the assassins that it’s a breath of fresh air to have a main protagonist fight for the opposite side. My younger self always rooted for the assassins, and seeing the end of that cinematic trailer where Shay did not hesitate to pull the trigger against a helpless assassin really left me conflicted.
It’s not as flashy as other AC trailers. It’s not even long. But it perfectly captures what you can expect in the game. It also makes you want to know more about Shay’s connection to the assassins and what led him to betray his former allies.
10. Assassin’s Creed Origins
The first few scenes of this trailer made me feel like I was watching a History Channel documentary about ancient Egypt. It did a great job of making you feel good about the setting of the game. The highlight of the trailer is when Bayek catches an arrow with his shield. It was a certified badass moment. You don’t usually see bows being used in close-quarters combat, so seeing it being done in the trailer was really mesmerizing. I guess you could say Bayek might be the Egyptian John Wick.
The ending, where you see a snake slither out of the mask and Bayek’s eagle companion Senu casually snatches the snake, is great symbolism. It’s a fun trailer that’s a bit slow in the beginning but leads to a worthy build-up in the end.
9. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Watching this trailer, it doesn’t feel like an Assassin’s Creed game until the hidden blade sequence. I like the concept of how the narrator portrays the Vikings as horrible savages and then cuts back to them just being wholesome. It really shows how there are two sides to the narrative. I like how the cinematic really went hard with the combat scenes, especially during the hidden blade reveal. It really shows the new dismember mechanic in the game. I guess they learned to showcase more interesting mechanics in trailers, something they missed in AC Syndicate.
Let’s not talk about the #LIKEAVIKING segment at the end. It’s a bit cringe, but it is what it is. It’s not necessarily part of the cinematic piece anyway.
8. Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Assassin’s Creed Mirage’s cinematic trailer felt like a nostalgic return to the series’ roots, in a good way. It didn’t hit me at first, but after revisiting older trailers, I noticed the subtle references, like Basim’s leap from a tall ledge, reminiscent of Ezio’s iconic dive in Assassin’s Creed II. Beyond the nostalgia, the trailer did a good job of introducing us to the world, showcasing Basim’s arsenal, and offering a glimpse into his backstory before joining the Brotherhood. It’s a sleek, well-crafted homage to classic Assassin’s Creed, perfectly setting the tone for a game that proudly embraces its origins.
7. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
The trend in the gaming industry, where sequels often add “Revelations” to the titles, has also affected Assassin’s Creed. This is the final chapter of the Ezio trilogy, and I’m glad they returned to the cold, gritty atmosphere for Assassin’s Creed: Revelations’ CGI cinematic trailer. The first trailer revealed at E3 was decent, but I think the extended cut gave it more depth, thanks to Ezio’s narration.
My only issue is that in this trailer, there’s no stealth scene. It’s just an all-out one-versus-everyone. I also noticed that as Ezio’s story progresses, each trailer seems to not show any form of stealth. This is why it is one of my least favorite trailers for the Ezio trilogy. I like the idea of assassins using stealth and deception as their combat preference.
If someone from Ubisoft is reading this, I have a few possible title suggestions for the next AC game: How about Assassin’s Creed Genesis or maybe Assassin’s Creed Unleashed? You’re welcome.
6. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
The second installment of the Ezio trilogy. In this cinematic trailer, we get to see more of Ezio’s assassination attempts, but this time he’s not alone. I love how he’s just nonchalant in this trailer while his recruits do most of the job. The way he just casually walks in and parts the crowd like the Red Sea, because they were wearing red robes and hats, was just peak badassery.
It’s a stark contrast to AC II, where he uses stealth to take down his targets. The general vibe of the trailer has also changed since the first two before. From a cold and gritty atmosphere to a somewhat bright and hopeful one. Almost makes you think no one is getting assassinated. But it’s an Assassin’s Creed cinematic trailer; of course, someone is going to get assassinated.
5. Assassin’s Creed
The first Assassin’s Creed CGI trailer perfectly encapsulates what gameplay you can expect in the game. It starts with Altair stalking his target, then blending into the crowd as he gets closer, before going on the offensive and taking out enemies with his arsenal of weapons. The fight ends in the most badass and Assassin’s Creed way possible: a swift, dramatic kill delivered by the iconic hidden blade. Then it cuts to the classic parkour sequence before Altair disappears in the crowd for good. It’s simple yet delivers enough to hook you into trying the game yourself.
4. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
If you’re a fan of pirates in movies and video games, this trailer is a treat. It captures the essence of pirate life with aggressive shipboarding, naval battles using smoothbore cannons, muskets, cutlasses, and bar fights—it’s everything you’d expect. I guess you could say it “shivers me timbers.” This trailer really gives you a taste of how brutal pirate life can be.
Just the scene where Edward, the main protagonist, crushes someone’s head with the ship’s steering wheel is enough to leave an impression. However, it lacks proper storytelling. It doesn’t provide any backstory on Edward or the plot itself. I think that was a missed opportunity because it was already a great trailer with all the chaos happening. Still, it’s one of the coolest AC cinematic trailers out there.
3. Assassin’s Creed Unity
Assassin’s Creed Unity’s CGI cinematic trailer nicely introduced the co-op mechanic in the game. At the start, you see the four assassins as the song “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” blares in the background. The world is in chaos with angry mobs swarming a fort. It’s probably my bias taking over, but I love that song, and hearing this rendition sends shivers down my spine every time. The chaos of the fights is phenomenal with the song number. No wonder it is currently the most-viewed Assassin’s Creed cinematic trailer. If only the co-op part of the game was also as intense as the trailer.
2. Assassin’s Creed III
The Assassin’s Creed III CGI cinematic trailer is one of the most iconic in the series. Its status as the second most-viewed trailer, trailing only AC Unity, is a testament to its lasting impact. There are just so many hype moments in the trailer. From the moment the eagle soars over the battlefield to Connor’s chilling question, “They fight for freedom, but for who?” it perfectly encapsulates the game’s central themes of liberty, oppression, and moral ambiguity.
There’s just something chilling about Connor rushing toward an army and single-handedly taking them on. The music paired with the fight scene also enhances the intensity, making it all the more unforgettable.
1. Assassin’s Creed II
I love the trailer focusing on how Ezio assassinates someone in public. You see him bribing some girls to try and distract a noble during what seems to be a Venetian Masquerade. It’s a mechanic that also appears in the game. The trailer almost feels mesmerizing with all the dancing, the music, and the fireworks. Suddenly, the mood shifts to disorienting visuals, muffled sounds, and the panicked expressions of bystanders. It felt like I too was part of the chaos.
The next thing I knew, the noble was dead. This was followed by an action sequence where Ezio uses various weapons to fight off guards before showing a parkour chase across the city. It even showed the hidden gun, which was also a satisfying moment after that cocky speech the enemy made. The playful misdirection in the first half was my personal favorite, which also made the Assassin’s Creed II cinematic trailer very iconic to me. Which is also why it’s at the top of the list.
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