Assassin's Creed is an action-adventure stealth game set during the Third Crusade in 1191. Players take on the role of Altair, an assassin battling the Templar Knights for possession of a mysterious artifact called the Apple of Eden. The game emphasizes stealth over direct combat and offers multiple ways to complete assassination missions. The story follows Altair as he seeks to rebuild his standing within the Brotherhood after failing to protect the Apple and having the Assassin headquarters attacked.