Assassin’s Creed is well-known for its deep historical settings, but the modern-day storyline serves as the framework for the entire series. Although some gamers skip these segments in favor of historical assassination missions, these contemporary storylines add significant context and can be incredibly engaging on their own. Here are seven Assassin’s Creed games renowned for delivering the most compelling modern-day narratives.

1.Assassin’s Creed II –The game not only propels Ezio Auditore’s exciting tale but also delves deeper into Desmond Miles’ story. With the introduction of The Animus 2.0 and the modern-day Assassins’ hideout, players got a better look at Abstergo’s machinations. It ends with a shocking revelation that blew away the minds of fans and pivoted the franchise in a new direction.

2.Assassin’s Creed III –This entry concludes Desmond Miles’ journey as he works to prevent a global catastrophe while experiencing his ancestor Connor’s struggles during the American Revolution. It delivers some of the most high-stakes moments in the series’ modern-day narrative, including infiltrations and a devastating choice that Desmond must make.

3.Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood –Directly following AC II, Brotherhood continues to enhance Desmond’s abilities as an Assassin. While mostly set in Renaissance Rome, players gain more insight into Lucy Stillman’s character, and there are some critical developments regarding the Pieces of Eden that have lasting impacts on the series.

4.Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag –Black Flag introduced players to a post-Desmond world through an unnamed protagonist working for Abstergo Entertainment – a front for Templar activities. Through hacking and eavesdropping, gamers uncover sinister plots and discover more about the Precursors race and its artifacts.

5.Assassin’s Creed: Revelations –Serving as a capstone to Ezio Auditore’s and Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad’s stories, Revelations also progresses Desmond’s story significantly. Stranded in the Animus, he explores his own subconscious, learning more about his past and preparing for what is to come.

6.Assassin’s Creed: Origins –The game introduces Layla Hassan, breathing fresh life into the modern-day narrative which had dwindled somewhat after Assassin’s Creed III. Layla’s ambitions and rogue operations against Abstergo form an intriguing backdrop to Bayek’s ancient Egyptian adventure.

7.Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation –While often overlooked due to being initially a handheld title, Liberation features Aveline de Grandpré — whose story unfolds both during historical settings and through Abstergo’s propaganda-driven version of her life in modern times. Players explore how stories can be manipulated by those who control history – aligning perfectly with the central theme of information control within Assassin’s Creed.

These seven games bring excitement not just through their depiction of historical periods but also by crafting a compelling narrative that connects to present-day scenarios – making them stand out within the Assassin’s Creed anthology.