The 10 BEST Assassin's Creed DLCs
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VOICE OVER: Johnny Reynolds
WRITTEN BY: Nancy Roberge-Renaud
"Assassin's Creed" has some of the best story-based DLC in gaming. For this list, we're looking at the best downloadable content from across the “Assassin's Creed” series. Our list includes Freedom Cry for "Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag" (2013), Curse of the Pharaohs from "Assassin's Creed Origins" (2017), Legacy of the First Blade from "Assassin's Creed Odyssey" (2018), and more!
"Assassin's Creed" has some of the best story-based DLC in gaming. For this list, we’re looking at the best downloadable content from across the “Assassin’s Creed” series. Our list includes Freedom Cry for "Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag" (2013), Curse of the Pharaohs from "Assassin's Creed Origins" (2017), Legacy of the First Blade from "Assassin's Creed Odyssey" (2018), and more! Which is your favorite mission in the “Assassin’s Creed” franchise, DLC or otherwise? Let us know in the comments!
The further along we move in the “Assassin’s Creed” franchise, the more elaborate the DLC, and we’re all in for it. In 2019, Ubisoft released the “Fate of Atlantis” DLC for “Odyssey”. It was a 3-episode series, consisting of “Fields of Elysium”, “Torment of Hades” and “Judgment of Atlantis”. The player can enter the gates of Atlantis featured in the original game, and help lost souls, encounter Poseidon and learn of the titular fate of the lost city. We won’t reveal any spoilers… well, maybe just one (it was in the trailer, so not really a spoiler!) You get to meet and battle Cerberos, the Hydra, which is definitely enough to make your three heads spin.
“Unity” is definitely an underrated gem in the “Assassin’s Creed” world, perhaps due to its rocky start. It was delayed and saw some early technical difficulties, requiring a day one patch, which isn’t a good look. However, despite a few shortfalls, the game is thoroughly enjoyable, and the movement engine is superb. The first DLC release, “Dead Kings”, was actually offered for free by Ubisoft as a sort of apology for the early mishaps. A continuation of the original game’s narrative, the DLC sees Arno Dorian track down a piece of Eden, and subsequently prevent it from reaching the greedy hands of Napoleon Bonaparte. It’s nice to see Arno do his part to secure the artifact, much like his predecessors.
“Odyssey” saw more than one three-part DLC. “Legacy of the First Blade” preceded “Fate of Atlantis” in its release, the three episodes of which recount the first use of the famed “Hidden Blade”, and also serves to continue the overarching story of the origins of the assassin brotherhood. Other than those important details, the DLC also covers a continuation of the Eagle Bearer’s story, as he or she settles down and has a child, Elpidios. Elpidios is quickly put in harm’s way, as this is “Assassin’s Creed”. In all, this DLC has a nice story arc, and allows the player to spend some more quality time with The Eagle Bearer.
“Valhalla”, much like many other titles in the franchise, has a lot of potential ground to cover when it comes to its historical period. The Vikings spread out and conquered many areas in their explorations. “Wrath of the Druids” recounts a Viking visit to Ireland, and incorporates Celtic lore with the Children of Danu, a druidic cult. The DLC continues on the format of the original game, as Eivor travels the Irish landscape, gaining the favor of Gaelic royalty. Honestly, we’re all for the continued use of that badass battle ax.
In many of the “Assassin’s Creed” games, we encounter supporting characters of whom we’d love to get more insight. “Freedom Cry” allows us to spend some quality time with the Jackdaw’s former first mate, Adéwalé. The DLC story covers the period between 1735 to 1737, which is just over 10 years after the events of “Black Flag''. It’s pretty much a standalone title, and doesn’t have anything to do with our old friend Edward Kenway, though it does provide small hints of the following title, “Assassin’s Creed Rogue '', in which Adéwalé makes an appearance. “Freedom Cry” sees its protagonist attempting to take down the slave trade in the Caribbean.
If history tells us anything, it’s that everyone knows of or has heard of Jack the Ripper, despite us still not knowing his identity. “Assassin’s Creed” puts its own twist on the legendary story, making Jack a member of the British Brotherhood of Assassins. In Ubisoft’s version, Jack grows power hungry, and grows impatient with Jacob Frye’s leadership role over street gang the Rooks. Jack seizes power over the gang, yet still isn’t satiated. His infamous murder spree, in which the real Ripper murdered a series of prostitutes in the Whitechapel district, comes in the form of this version of Jack murdering assassins disguised as ladies of the night. This one gets points for originality and creativity.
If there’s anything fans of Ezio’s trilogy can say, it’s that there’s always room for more Da Vinci. “The Da Vinci Disappearance” was DLC for the fan favorite “Brotherhood”, and took place within the story in the original game, between sequences 8 and 9. In it, Ezio searches for Da Vinci’s lost paintings, in order to find the entrance to the Temple of Pythagoras. Da Vinci has been kidnapped by a cult known as the Hermeticists, who desire the temple for themselves. Ezio comes to old friend Leonardo’s rescue, and the player gets to spend some time on puzzles with the famed artist and innovator. What we wouldn’t give for more Ezio, are we right?
“Valhalla” has launched three expansion packs for its original title, and the third was “Dawn of Ragnarok”, released in March of 2022. Join Eivor as Odin in the mythological world, a glimpse of which was seen in the original title. As mentioned earlier, mythologies have countless avenues to explore, and Norse mythology is equally as rich in material. Eivor/Odin travels the mythological landscape on a Viking adventure, and quest to rescue Baldr, son of Odin. It’s huge, ambitious and beautiful, much like Ubisoft’s past worlds. It of course contains the usual skins and outfit packs, as despite being assassins, let’s face it, we’re all fashionistas at heart. Lookin’ good, Eivor.
You know they couldn’t let “Origins” go without some form of Egyptian tomb curse, right? “Curse of the Pharaohs” refers to the alleged real-life curses that befell archaeologists and grave desecrators of the actual past. In the DLC, Bayek of Siwa must track down the cause of angry spirits of deceased pharaohs that have been released upon the living world: an ancient relic owned by Isidora, God’s Wife of Amun. Darn those bad guys and their powerful relics, are we right, assassini? Bayek travels to Thebes, which is ripe with exploration opportunities - old, crumbling tombs, anyone? The DLC is once again a visually stunning piece of art, and Bayek is always welcome on our consoles.
Didn’t think you’d see AC 3 at number one, did you? Another three part episodic DLC, which Ubisoft seems to be fond of, “Tyranny” consists of “The Infamy”, “The Betrayal” and “The Redemption”. The story explores an alternate reality, in which George Washington goes mad with power, and becomes King. Connor, or Ratonhnhaké:ton (as in this reality, he never became Connor Kenway) has never had any assassin training, and is basically starting from zero, skill-wise. He must build up his skills and strength in order to take down the tyrant King Washington. This DLC often gets buried in the hype of the newer games, but we think it definitely deserves to be checked out.
The Fate of Atlantis
“Assassin’s Creed Odyssey” (2018)The further along we move in the “Assassin’s Creed” franchise, the more elaborate the DLC, and we’re all in for it. In 2019, Ubisoft released the “Fate of Atlantis” DLC for “Odyssey”. It was a 3-episode series, consisting of “Fields of Elysium”, “Torment of Hades” and “Judgment of Atlantis”. The player can enter the gates of Atlantis featured in the original game, and help lost souls, encounter Poseidon and learn of the titular fate of the lost city. We won’t reveal any spoilers… well, maybe just one (it was in the trailer, so not really a spoiler!) You get to meet and battle Cerberos, the Hydra, which is definitely enough to make your three heads spin.
Dead Kings
“Assassin’s Creed Unity” (2014)“Unity” is definitely an underrated gem in the “Assassin’s Creed” world, perhaps due to its rocky start. It was delayed and saw some early technical difficulties, requiring a day one patch, which isn’t a good look. However, despite a few shortfalls, the game is thoroughly enjoyable, and the movement engine is superb. The first DLC release, “Dead Kings”, was actually offered for free by Ubisoft as a sort of apology for the early mishaps. A continuation of the original game’s narrative, the DLC sees Arno Dorian track down a piece of Eden, and subsequently prevent it from reaching the greedy hands of Napoleon Bonaparte. It’s nice to see Arno do his part to secure the artifact, much like his predecessors.
Legacy of the First Blade
“Assassin’s Creed Odyssey” (2018)“Odyssey” saw more than one three-part DLC. “Legacy of the First Blade” preceded “Fate of Atlantis” in its release, the three episodes of which recount the first use of the famed “Hidden Blade”, and also serves to continue the overarching story of the origins of the assassin brotherhood. Other than those important details, the DLC also covers a continuation of the Eagle Bearer’s story, as he or she settles down and has a child, Elpidios. Elpidios is quickly put in harm’s way, as this is “Assassin’s Creed”. In all, this DLC has a nice story arc, and allows the player to spend some more quality time with The Eagle Bearer.
Wrath of the Druids
“Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” (2020)“Valhalla”, much like many other titles in the franchise, has a lot of potential ground to cover when it comes to its historical period. The Vikings spread out and conquered many areas in their explorations. “Wrath of the Druids” recounts a Viking visit to Ireland, and incorporates Celtic lore with the Children of Danu, a druidic cult. The DLC continues on the format of the original game, as Eivor travels the Irish landscape, gaining the favor of Gaelic royalty. Honestly, we’re all for the continued use of that badass battle ax.
Freedom Cry
“Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” (2013)In many of the “Assassin’s Creed” games, we encounter supporting characters of whom we’d love to get more insight. “Freedom Cry” allows us to spend some quality time with the Jackdaw’s former first mate, Adéwalé. The DLC story covers the period between 1735 to 1737, which is just over 10 years after the events of “Black Flag''. It’s pretty much a standalone title, and doesn’t have anything to do with our old friend Edward Kenway, though it does provide small hints of the following title, “Assassin’s Creed Rogue '', in which Adéwalé makes an appearance. “Freedom Cry” sees its protagonist attempting to take down the slave trade in the Caribbean.
Jack the Ripper
“Assassin’s Creed Syndicate” (2015)If history tells us anything, it’s that everyone knows of or has heard of Jack the Ripper, despite us still not knowing his identity. “Assassin’s Creed” puts its own twist on the legendary story, making Jack a member of the British Brotherhood of Assassins. In Ubisoft’s version, Jack grows power hungry, and grows impatient with Jacob Frye’s leadership role over street gang the Rooks. Jack seizes power over the gang, yet still isn’t satiated. His infamous murder spree, in which the real Ripper murdered a series of prostitutes in the Whitechapel district, comes in the form of this version of Jack murdering assassins disguised as ladies of the night. This one gets points for originality and creativity.
The Da Vinci Disappearance
“Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood” (2010)If there’s anything fans of Ezio’s trilogy can say, it’s that there’s always room for more Da Vinci. “The Da Vinci Disappearance” was DLC for the fan favorite “Brotherhood”, and took place within the story in the original game, between sequences 8 and 9. In it, Ezio searches for Da Vinci’s lost paintings, in order to find the entrance to the Temple of Pythagoras. Da Vinci has been kidnapped by a cult known as the Hermeticists, who desire the temple for themselves. Ezio comes to old friend Leonardo’s rescue, and the player gets to spend some time on puzzles with the famed artist and innovator. What we wouldn’t give for more Ezio, are we right?
Dawn of Ragnarök
“Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” (2020)“Valhalla” has launched three expansion packs for its original title, and the third was “Dawn of Ragnarok”, released in March of 2022. Join Eivor as Odin in the mythological world, a glimpse of which was seen in the original title. As mentioned earlier, mythologies have countless avenues to explore, and Norse mythology is equally as rich in material. Eivor/Odin travels the mythological landscape on a Viking adventure, and quest to rescue Baldr, son of Odin. It’s huge, ambitious and beautiful, much like Ubisoft’s past worlds. It of course contains the usual skins and outfit packs, as despite being assassins, let’s face it, we’re all fashionistas at heart. Lookin’ good, Eivor.
Curse of the Pharaohs
“Assassin’s Creed Origins” (2017)You know they couldn’t let “Origins” go without some form of Egyptian tomb curse, right? “Curse of the Pharaohs” refers to the alleged real-life curses that befell archaeologists and grave desecrators of the actual past. In the DLC, Bayek of Siwa must track down the cause of angry spirits of deceased pharaohs that have been released upon the living world: an ancient relic owned by Isidora, God’s Wife of Amun. Darn those bad guys and their powerful relics, are we right, assassini? Bayek travels to Thebes, which is ripe with exploration opportunities - old, crumbling tombs, anyone? The DLC is once again a visually stunning piece of art, and Bayek is always welcome on our consoles.
The Tyranny of King Washington
“Assassin’s Creed III” (2012)Didn’t think you’d see AC 3 at number one, did you? Another three part episodic DLC, which Ubisoft seems to be fond of, “Tyranny” consists of “The Infamy”, “The Betrayal” and “The Redemption”. The story explores an alternate reality, in which George Washington goes mad with power, and becomes King. Connor, or Ratonhnhaké:ton (as in this reality, he never became Connor Kenway) has never had any assassin training, and is basically starting from zero, skill-wise. He must build up his skills and strength in order to take down the tyrant King Washington. This DLC often gets buried in the hype of the newer games, but we think it definitely deserves to be checked out.
