Published by UBISOFT on October 5, Assassin’s Creed has been a topic in the gaming world. So far, Mirage is proved to be successful entry in the incredible series of Assassin’s Creed.
Storyline and Environment:
Assassin’s Creed Mirage was originally supposed to be some extra downloadable stuff for Valhalla, all about Basim, you know? But then it blew up, got mad big, so they decided to drop it as its own game. They’re pushing it like it’s a comeback to the OG stealth vibes of the franchise. We all know Assassin’s Creed went full RPG mode with the last three joints, and they got this huge following, but there’s still them diehard fans holding it down for them old-school sneak-and-hit games.
Mirage tries to bring that back, for real. It isn’t ditching all the new Assassin’s Creed stuff, though. It’s got a taste of that modern DNA, you feel me? It isn’t flawless, and it isn’t going to blow your mind, but Assassin’s Creed Mirage holds it down as a solid player in the series. Maybe it’ll make Ubisoft realize games don’t break the bank or clock in hundreds of hours to be legit.
Mirage also tells the super story of young basim completely like from his days of being a thief and then becoming a prominent member of the assassins. The story goes like that the Basim and his crew of stab-happy comrades are on a mission, trying to crack the code on what the Order is up to in Baghdad and who’s running the show. Each spot in Baghdad is like its own puzzle –do a bunch of sleuthing to figure out who the small fry members are before you can roll up on the big boss. Uncover all the players, and you finally get to go after the puppet master pulling the strings behind the scenes. It’s like an assassin’s version of peeling back layers, revealing the secrets, and then dishing out justice.
The game’s narrative structure leaves Basim’s character underdeveloped, with disconnected investigations lacking intrigue and villains dispatched too quickly. Basim’s growth is stunted by the non-linear nature of the missions, and meaningful development only occurs in the final section, feeling rushed and unearned. The writing overall lacks depth, leaving Basim as a mediocre Assassin’s Creed character, failing to reach the heights of predecessors like Ezio or Kassandra. Emotional moments, such as reunions, fall flat, lacking genuine impact.
Mirage takes a bold step by offering a 15 to 20-hour experience centered in Baghdad and its desert surroundings, a departure some find disappointing but I see as a sensible shift given its smaller team and budget. Despite limitations of a singular setting, smart diversification in Baghdad keeps the visual experience engaging, showcasing lush greenery or bustling bazaars. Detail is abundant in every corner, and codex entries continue the series tradition of detailing the city’s history, making exploration a fascinating experience. Mirage uses traditional freerunning mechanics, offering a fantastic experience when it works smoothly, although occasional hiccups are familiar to series veterans. Controlling Basim proves to be the franchise’s best, with tightened-up controls enhancing the overall experience.
One standout “character” is Baghdad itself, with diverse districts like the Round City and Karkh feeling vibrant and lived-in, reminiscent of the series’ Unity or Syndicate days. The bustling streets and open homes offer opportunities for blending in or sprinting through, crucial for evading pursuers due to Mirage’s notoriety system. Reflecting Ezio’s era, the game intensifies challenges based on your actions, making escaping guards a tough feat. Clearing your name involves removing wanted posters or paying off town criers, providing diverse methods to meet the game’s expectations for evading capture.
The landscapes offer some brilliant views, the tropical oasis, huge dunes, the suburb of Arabian cities and vibe of Baghdad just nails it. The locations are pretty much historically accurate just like the last version of the series. The hallways, docks and big walls of ancient color glorifies the experience overall.
Gameplay:
It’s been over 15 years, and let me tell you, the sequels to this thing forgot where they came from. They ditched the sneaky moves for all this big and flashy stuff, but they straight-up lost the vibe of the OG days. Now, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is trying to find its way back home. It’s taking some real, but not perfect steps to reconnect with its roots. Yeah, it’s not pulling off anything groundbreaking, but the focus on quick missions and heavy stealth vibes brings back that itch the RPG-heavy games couldn’t scratch.
The gameplay as usual revolves around the stealth and satisfying action. It’s like a wild mix of stealth, parkour, and straight-up historical chaos. You step into the shoes of these badass assassins throughout different time periods, climbing buildings, blending into crowds, and shanking targets like a boss. The combat is smooth, letting you pull off some sick moves with a combo of weapons, and the stealth kills? Stealthy as they come. The missions? Diverse as hell. From sneaky infiltrations to epic parkour chases, it keeps you on your toes.
Back in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, stealth remains the point to ponder. They ditched the whole XP and leveling grind, so now, every enemy is just a slick hidden blade move away from biting the dust if you play it smart. The game’s got spots everywhere to keep you on the down-low, and that eagle scout move is back, letting you scope out all angles before you make your move. It’s a breath of fresh air. You roll up to a situation, think about all the moving pieces, not just if the loot is worth a mindless bloodbath.
These strongholds isn’t messing around either – high-security prisons, coastal fortresses – they’re loaded with guards on different schedules, looking every which way. Especially early on, the thought of going toe-to-toe with a gang of enemies is no joke. You should be all about those shadows, perfect timing, and using the environment to even have a shot at making moves on those heavily guarded spots. More than ever, I’m hanging off docks, causing chaos with spice bags – anything to create enough mayhem to get what I want. It’s a whole different level from the pre-Origins games.
The story is shorter than many of recently released games. Your main Objectives kick off with the investigation board, a web of leads and clues guiding you toward the primary targets. Tackling smaller issues, like identifying a local rebel leader or stopping abductions, unveils bigger reveals, propelling you further up the chain to confront the overarching conspiracy causing chaos. The board, though allowing flexibility in task order, doesn’t make them truly open-ended, as most are mandatory. Despite this, breaking stories into manageable chunks maintains clear and concise expectations, significantly enhancing the game’s pacing.
Gameplay and the story line both are very focused around Basim, the lust for revenge, the duty of being an assassin and his higher purpose makes Basim a character of captivation. Basim’s allies in Mirage fit the typical “good conspirator” mold seen in the Assassin’s Creed series. While Basim’s master, Roshan, stands out with Shohreh Aghdashloo’s compelling voice, the overall supporting cast delivers only adequate performances and character depth.
In unavoidable combat situations, Mirage’s fights are both limited and challenging. Basim’s sole combat style involves using a sword and dagger, creating a dynamic blend of quick and heavy strikes for short combos. Various swords and daggers offer unique combat abilities, such as time-slowing on parry or increased damage with rapid strikes. While the weapon options didn’t drastically alter my playstyle, fully upgraded gear could prove crucial in higher difficulty settings. Armor sets, though not often changed for gameplay reasons, saw frequent switches purely for Mirage’s appealing gear lineup, emphasizing style over necessity.
Mirage’s combat stands out with deliberate pacing, focusing on counters and dodging amid enemies with erratic attack patterns and high melee damage. Facing multiple foes at once is oppressive, emphasizing strategic avoidance. Enemy types are limited but varied, with slight variations based on their weapons, adding nuance to encounters and preventing monotony. Despite the few enemy categories, the challenge remains fresh, and combat emerges as a unique and enjoyable aspect of the game. The ability tree, though pared down, packs a punch with impactful skills across three branches, enhancing gameplay significantly. With the ability to freely respect points, Mirage allows quick adaptation for diverse character builds.
Bottom Line:
Assassin’s Creed Mirage strategically returns to the series’ stealth roots, adopting a purposeful approach in its design. This deliberate decision results in a more concise gaming experience with a smaller map, reduced collectibles, restrained combat scope, and a limited gear selection. While the plot may appear overly simplistic, featuring forgettable characters, the story compensates with straightforward quest progression and brisk pacing. Despite the absence of standout moments, the beautifully crafted location of Baghdad and the meticulously detailed world create an immersive environment, offering a recommendation for those seeking a back-to-basics approach in the Assassin’s Creed series.