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Every Assassin's Creed OST Ranked

Every Assassin's Creed OST Ranked
VOICE OVER: Aaron Brown WRITTEN BY: Saim Cheeda
The music of "Assassin's Creed" is truly remarkable. For this list, we'll be looking at how well the games' themes complement the storyline and the time period they're set in. Included in our ranking of every "Assassin's Creed" OST is “Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag” (2013), “Assassin's Creed: Revelations” (2011), “Assassin's Creed Origins” (2017), and more!

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re ranking every soundtrack in the Assassin’s Creed series. For this list, we’ll be looking at how well the games’ themes complement the storyline and the time period they’re set in. Which Assassin’s Creed soundtrack do you think stands the test of time? Let us know in the comments.

#12: “Assassin's Creed Valhalla” (2020)


“Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” plays it straight with its Nordic premise. The game’s calmer moments tend to carry traditional folk music, while action sequences have a more chaotic soundtrack. But there’s a lack of consistency in both areas. The louder moments can feel tumultuous at times, featuring bursts of music that don’t land well with what’s going onscreen. Normal playthrough sequences generally have loud drumming sounds that seem shoehorned to prevent the pace from slowing down. The game does a better job during the Norse gods' arc, where music associated with Viking culture is played consistently. “Valhalla” shines best when it fully embraces its identity, but these tracks aren’t as abundant as they should have been.

#11: “Assassin's Creed Unity” (2014)


“Assassin's Creed Unity” has a softer track compared to other entries because of its focus on the theme of love. The quieter tone reflects Arno Dorian’s discovery of a conspiracy between the Assassins and the Templars. Because of this, “Unity” rarely features tracks that will get the adrenaline pumping. But the melodies that capture the heartfelt tone of the story allow players to feel what Arno does for Elise. The game would have benefitted from faster tracks as a contrast, but there aren’t many of those to be heard. This is partly due to the nature of “Unity,” where levels are designed to be infiltrated rather than engaging in combat sequences.

#10: “Assassin's Creed Rogue” (2014)


Since this one is more of a side story, “Rogue’s” soundtrack isn’t the most revolutionary. The action-packed moments have a similar feel to them like “Assassin’s Creed III,” where war-based music sets the tone. Quieter sequences are along the lines of “Assassin’s Creed II,” where the music is part of the ambiance. “Rogue” does a good job at representing onscreen events with its soundtrack. But there’s also nothing that truly stands out, which makes this OST relatively forgettable. Players who start the “Assassin’s Creed” series with “Rogue” will be impressed by its music, while experienced fans will find it more of the same.

#9: “Assassin's Creed” (2007)


The first game has a very capable soundtrack when a scene calls for it. Unfortunately, normal playthrough is almost entirely devoid of music. Things usually kick in during moments such as chase sequences or boss fights, which is when we hear entertaining pieces. The lack of a consistent soundtrack seeps away some of the fun in general but allows significant parts of the story to stand out. Battles against the likes of Al Mualim are bound to create a rushing feeling among fans because of the way the music steers the scene. The soundtrack is primarily designed to evoke a sense of mystery, featuring beats that make it clear that the clock is ticking in the story.

#8: “Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood” (2010)


There’s a consistent soundtrack between the entries in the “Ezio Trilogy.” “Brotherhood” carries a similar aristocratic tone from the previous installment, which is refined to fit the Roman backdrop. Because Ezio is a Master Assassin by now, the music sounds a lot more authoritative and commanding. “Brotherhood” goes for a fast-paced track for the most part because of the abundance of fights and battles that Ezio partakes in. The soundtrack lets players know that there’s a real sense of conflict to be found in the story. “Brotherhood” doesn’t evoke much comfort through its music, but that’s understandable since the game is about Ezio’s mission of unseating Cesare Borgia from power.

#7: “Assassin's Creed Origins” (2017)


“Origins” served as a soft reboot of the franchise, focusing more on the map and the time period of the story. As a result, the soundtrack incorporates the mystique of the Ancient Egyptian setting. The free-flowing style of certain themes is designed to make imaginations soar, as the expansive open-world contains numerous possibilities. “Origins” doesn’t fully embrace this aspect since a number of tracks convey protagonist Bayek’s deep sense of loss. Bayek’s sadness at the death of his son is conveyed through several slow-moving melodies for fans to relate to him. “Origins” doesn’t have many heart-thumping pieces of music. But the melancholic music does its job well of establishing that this is a story-driven entry in the series.

#6: “Assassin's Creed III” (2012)


This game’s music brings the intensity of the story’s war-based backdrop. “Assassin’s Creed III’s” soundtrack mostly abstains from softer tunes in favor of thunderous beats to suit its timeline. Battlefields and naval clashes up the ante further for a soundtrack that was unlike anything the series had contained up until then. It’s not all about loud drums and banging sounds, though, as the game acknowledges protagonist Connor Kenway’s native roots. Traditionally inspired music serenades fans’ ears whenever Connor is one with nature or his people. “Assassin’s Creed III” took a risk by departing from its usual musical style – the result is a memorable mix of hard-hitting and sage tracks to enjoy.

#5: “Assassin's Creed: Revelations” (2011)


As the final chapter in the “Ezio Trilogy,” “Revelations” has a definite note of finality in its soundtrack. This OST intends to make fans emotional and does just that in scenes such as Altair’s final moments and Ezio’s retirement. Although the setting switches to Constantinople, the themes from Renaissance Era Italy can still be found here. “Revelations” contains remarkable instrumentals that fit each scenario players find themselves in; whether it’s combat or witnessing cutscenes unfold. The game’s climax is when the soundtrack starts to hit us in the feels, as Altair and Ezio’s arcs end with a beautiful theme for us to say goodbye to them.

#4: “Assassin's Creed Odyssey” (2018)


Thought-provoking, compelling, and inspirational, “Odyssey’s” soundtrack has incredible variety. The downside is that these musical moments are spread around due to the sheer size of the game. But those who have experienced all “Odyssey” has to offer, know how entertaining it is to listen to these tracks. The protagonist’s story is about reuniting with their family, and the OST creates the sense of longing they feel. The action sequences are appropriately loud, playing into the epic nature of the story set during the Peloponnesian War. We’re treated to more folksy music in the times when you’re out exploring the map, keeping players invested to see what else is out there in the Ancient Greek world.

#3: “Assassin's Creed Syndicate” (2015)


“Syndicate” is the breeziest “Assassin’s Creed” game yet, with a story about brother-sister pair, Jacob and Evie Frye. Because of this, the soundtrack rarely gets gloomy, carrying an adventurous feel to it instead. Certain tracks like the “Assassin Two-Step” feature the remarkable use of string music to add tension and urgency to the story. The Frye twins get a theme dedicated to their turbulent dynamic, which sums up their contrasting personalities. As with many other entries, “Syndicate” captures the time period it’s set in, making the Victorian Era come alive with its sophisticated thematic elements. Things do pick up when the action gets in a higher gear, but it’s the playful tunes from normal gameplay moments that fans will fondly remember.

#2: “Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag” (2013)


It’s a fair challenge to keep up with “Black Flag’s” soundtrack because of how quickly it moves from one tune to another. This ties into the escapist theme of Edward Kenway’s arc, who goes from an opportunistic pirate to a worthy assassin. The music hits its high notes during battle sequences much like the soundtrack of a blockbuster movie. Meanwhile, the protagonist’s activities have a mischievous tone to establish his carefree nature in the open seas. “Black Flag” was the first “Assassin’s Creed” game where the time period was the primary selling point – the soundtrack drives this idea home by taking us back to the Golden Age of Piracy.

#1: “Assassin's Creed II” (2009)


“Assassin’s Creed II’s” soundtrack signifies Ezio’s character development as the story moves forward. Earlier parts of the game contain happier, lighthearted melodies to reflect Ezio’s youthful days in Florence. This transitions to tracks with serious tones as Ezio is forced to become an assassin after his father and brothers’ deaths. “Assassin’s Creed II” leaves no stone unturned when it comes to music – everything from Ezio’s sadness to his later determination has a theme that fits the mood. The game masterfully steers fans’ emotions as we watch Ezio’s two-decade bid for vengeance play out. While the sprawling soundtrack acknowledges various points in the protagonist’s life, the theme “Ezio’s family” remains the most awe-inspiring use of music in the series so far.

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