Summary
Assassin’s Creed Mirageis now one year old, which means it’s time to look back on what this particular installment meant for the series as a whole. WhileAssassin’s Creed Miragemay not have garnered the same acclaim as some of its predecessors, it is something that arguably needed to happen, and its impact can still be felt today.
Assassin’s Creed Miragecertainly isn’t for everyone, but that is actually a significant part of its unique appeal. The reasonAssassin’s Creed Mirageisn’t for everyone is because its approach to gameplay and narrative are reminiscent of the earliest days of a series that is now almost 17 years old. As such, it has likely found it challenging to hold the attention of modern audiences andAssassin’s Creednewcomers, but it could be argued that it was made for the longest-standing fans of the franchise anyway.Assassin’s Creed Mirageaccomplished what it set out to do, and that was to remind those who have kept up withtheAssassin’s Creedseriessince its origins of everything it once was.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage Brought the Franchise Back to Its Roots
Assassin’s Creed Mirage Provided a Renewed Emphasis on Stealth
Perhaps the most significant appeal ofAssassin’s Creed Miragewhen it launched in 2023 was its renewed emphasis on stealth. After years of requests that theAssassin’s Creedseries be brought back to its roots,Assassin’s Creed Mirageclaimed it would, and it delivered. Whereas modern installments that came before it focused more on action-oriented gameplay — likeAssassin’s Creed Valhalla, for instance —Assassin’s Creed Miragestrongly encouraged stealth gameplay, much like theAssassin’s Creedgames of old.
That stealth gameplay still holds up today as a modern reminder of what once was, as in the days ofAssassin’s CreedandAssassin’s Creed 2,when tutorials centered around how to blend into crowds, escape pursuing guards, and lift money from innocent civilians.Assassin’s Creed Mirage’s protagonist, Basim, is given a healthy arsenal of stealth-oriented tools to help him make his way through the guard-infested streets of Baghdad unnoticed.
While such tools have been included in modern installments, there is much more of a need for them inAssassin’s Creed Miragedue to its renewed emphasis on stealth.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage Exchanged Heavy RPG Elements for Story-Driven Character Progression
Assassin’s Creed Mirage’s approach to its narrative may be a bit of a double-edged sword, but it’s more so a problem with the character Basim than the story itself.Assassin’s Creed Miragewas designed to be more story-driven than some of the modern installments that forsook narrative for massive open worlds, but its story is let down by a largely uninteresting protagonist. More specifically, rather than applying heavyRPG elements toAssassin’s Creed Mirage’s progressionas it had done in the few installments before it, Ubisoft opted for story-driven character progression led by the somewhat shallow Basim.
This move to leave behind the RPG elements ofAssassin’s Creed Mirage’s nearest predecessors was a prime choice for a game designed to bring the series back to its roots, as the makeup of earlyAssassin’s Creedgames revolved around their worlds, characters, and the role of the Assassin Brotherhood in eliminating corruption. This opened the door for Ubisoft to craft what feels like a living world inAssassin’s Creed Mirage, where there is something new to witness around every corner. In a sense,Baghdad is one ofAssassin’s Creed Mirage’s main characters.
WhileAssassin’s Creed Mirage’s progression being based on a bland protagonist might have been part of its downfall, it still succeeded in delivering theclassicAssassin’s Creedexperiencethat was highly requested for many years prior to its arrival. One year later,Assassin’s Creed Mirageremains itself a mirage of what the franchise once was, and there is still hope that the series will not forget its origins as it continues to evolve.
Assassin’s Creed: Mirage
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as a cunning young street thief seeking answers in this majestic Middle Eastern open world. Experience the home of the original Assassins in this exciting new narrative-driven, open world adventure. 15 years since the first Assassin’s Creed redefined adventure, experience the franchises' trademark parkour and stealth like never before - in Assasin’s Creed Mirage. In this smaller scale, back to basics Assassin’s caper, you play Basim, a young street thief seeking answers. Roam the richly-detailed, reactive and vibrant streets of 9th century Baghdad, uncovering the mysteries of the past as you fight to secure your future. Stalk the shadows. Become the ultimate assassin.
