For story purposes should I play through 1 one first? I sorta don't want to for gameplay purposes and due to time but it seems like if you really want to get into the story (which I do) you have to play the first one. What do you guys recommend?

1 is dreadfully boring, skip to 2.

If you really want to get into the story(which you should, because it's awesome!), play the first.  
 
But be prepared for fun but flawed mechanics to be in the most repetitive game you've ever played in your life. Not necessarily a bad thing but it's all about how much you can handle before getting bored of doing the same thing over and over, and I mean quite literally.

@NekuSakuraba: Just youtube the 1st one as the gameplay sucks

I have played only the first and I don't want to play another AC till the rest of my life. Yeah, it's that bad.

So start with 2.

1 is probably cheap right? Right? Personally I'd want to start with the first one, and I did. If you can handle playing it, you will be so much more rewarded when you move on to 2 and bro-hood and revelations. Some much ass,sassins.

but you'll be fine if you want to hit 2 up. With a little youtube'n

i would say just played 2 as much as enjoyed the first one, 2 just imporves on everything.

No, the only reason you'd have to play the first is to know Masayaf, and to see the ending since those are basically the only things that have to do with the sequels. If you want to be see more of Assassin's Creed, then maybe you should play it, but why do that now when you can do it another?

Start with the first one. It probably has the best story of the AC games and is referenced in the other games. The gameplay is fine except for the repetition. You are asked to do the same tasks over and over but I enjoyed the setup that there are 9 people you have to assassinate and had to acquire information on them first. The PC version is a little better because there are more options for gathering the information and there are no achievements to worry about so you can just blast through the main story and ignore all the collection stuff.

I also really liked the conversations you have with the victim after each assassination.

If you're interested in the history of the series and seeing how it started and what it evolved from, start with the first one. If you just want to play a fun game, start at number 2.

@MattyFTM said:

If you're interested in the history of the series and seeing how it started and what it evolved from, start with the first one. If you just want to play a fun game, start at number 2.

I would probably get more enjoyment if I could understand the story so I'll probably play the first one. How long is it? 15 hours?

I played 1, 2 and Brotherhood back-to-back, and I'm glad I did. It's short, and not particularly tough, and I'm glad I've got the whole picture of the AC universe.

 The gameplay is fine except for the repetition. 

AC1 is wicked repetitive but nothing in it is really "bad", you just do so much of it that it can get boring, skip the side stuff, focus on the main story and you'll enjoy it.

@Zenaxzd: Do the side missions have anything at all to add to the main story or should I just go through the main thing?

Start with AC2. Read a plot synopsis for AC1, or just youtube the beginning and end.

Neku, play the first game. If you don't, I'm blocking you.

just read a summary of the first one on wikipedia or something. Then play 2. Its awesome

@NekuSakuraba said:

@MattyFTM said:

If you're interested in the history of the series and seeing how it started and what it evolved from, start with the first one. If you just want to play a fun game, start at number 2.

I would probably get more enjoyment if I could understand the story so I'll probably play the first one. How long is it? 15 hours?

If you ignore all the collection stuff and just focus on finishing the game you can beat it in 9-10 hours.

the first is terrible, do not play it.

The original, at least try it first.

I jumped into 2, had absolutely no problem with understanding the world or story whatsoever. There was like one throwback mission and the name 'Altair' thrown about a few times but that's about it.

I would check youtube to find out the events of the first. Its a very dull game and I think it would turn any new comer to the series off from the rest.

Starting with 2 is a completely viable option, but you should give the first game a chance. If you play it before the others, it won't seem as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Plus, you'll have a better understanding of the story and a stronger appreciation for the changes made in the sequels.

I started with 2, and my fiance explained what happened in the first one. I still want to go back and play #1 because I love the story telling and history and all of that. Plus, it's been years since it's release, so you can find a cheap, used copy anywhere.