After diving into Assassin’s Creed Mirage, we couldn't help but notice its striking resemblance to the original Assassin’s Creed, especially when viewed through the lens of nostalgia. However, we must acknowledge that the first 2007 installment, while a trailblazer, falls short by today's gaming standards, plagued by repetitive gameplay, flawed stealth mechanics, and clunky combat.
AC2 came to the rescue, addressing these shortcomings and propelling the series to new heights. Yet, Assassin’s Creed Mirage manages to recapture the essence of the original, fulfilling Ubisoft's long-held vision for the franchise. Set roughly a decade before Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Mirage revisits the charismatic character Basim, unfolding his journey from a humble street thief to a master assassin.
A Return to Basics
Mirage transports players several centuries back in time to Baghdad, departing from the familiar Holy Land setting. Nevertheless, it pays homage to classic locales like Alamut, the Persian fortress integral to Altaïr's training and later visited by Ezio in Assassin’s Creed Revelations.
The narrative continues the Hidden Ones storyline introduced in Assassin’s Creed Origins, offering a tantalizing glimpse of the series' evolution towards the iconic Assassins and Templars conflict. This is a captivating transition, especially for long-time fans who have followed the series from its inception.
Embracing Stealth
One of the most noteworthy aspects of Assassin’s Creed Mirage is the revitalization of stealth gameplay. While it shares similarities with Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla in various aspects, the game places a renewed emphasis on covert maneuvers to accomplish objectives, discouraging players from recklessly engaging foes. Even a skirmish against a mere two enemies proved deadly if we were detected.
Stealth gameplay was a hallmark of earlier AC titles, and combat often felt inconsistent in the series. Playing as Basim, lurking in the shadows feels natural and gratifying, marking a promising direction for the franchise. However, incentivizing players to adopt a stealthy approach or empowering them further during silent eliminations might be necessary.
Quality Over Quantity
Unlike its sprawling open-world predecessors, Mirage offers a more compact experience reminiscent of earlier entries like Assassin’s Creed 1, 2, Unity, and Syndicate. While Baghdad remains expansive, the game refocuses on urban exploration rather than extensive cross-country travel.
Although our playthrough didn't showcase naval gameplay or mounted travel, we enjoyed leaping between buildings and exploring the city. Swimming returns, alongside other familiar features. Even the ability to bribe troublemakers to provoke conflicts with the guards makes a comeback.
A Soft Reboot
Assassin’s Creed Origins in 2017 initiated a soft reboot of the series, with Odyssey refining the formula. However, with Valhalla, the series seemed to approach stagnation once again. It's a pattern that has recurred in the Assassin’s Creed series.
Mirage doesn't exactly replicate the soft reboot sentiment of Origins, but it promises a refreshing adjustment to the formula. Ubisoft appears to be taking a step back to leap forward, and we're hopeful that Mirage will provide a refreshing change of pace for loyal fans and finally realize the potential of the original Assassin’s Creed game.
