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Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Back to Basics, but Is It In Line With Today’s Expectations?

Assassin’s Creed Mirage, developed and published by Ubisoft, takes us back to the stealthy style that originally defined the series. In this 9th-century adventure set in the dazzling city of Baghdad, you assume the role of Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief unwittingly drawn into the ancient conflict between the Assassins (known as Hidden Ones) and their eternal foes, the Templars or Order of the Ancients. While Mirage embraces the series’ roots, it also sidesteps some modern gaming trends, resulting in a game that both intrigues and falls short in certain aspects.

Gameplay Overview

Assassin’s Creed Mirage marks a return to the series’ stealthy origins, eschewing some of the open-world grandeur seen in recent titles. The game offers a relatively short playtime of 10-12 hours for its main missions, which results in a smaller game world, fewer collectibles, and less expansive combat mechanics. Despite these limitations, the narrative maintains a brisk pace, offering straightforward quest progression. The game’s setting in 9th century Baghdad is a visual masterpiece.

Storyline and Setting

In Mirage, players assume the role of Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief who unwittingly becomes embroiled in the conflict between the Assassins (known as Hidden Ones) and the Templars (Order of the Ancients). While the main storyline takes around 12-16 hours to complete, it fails to match the depth and complexity found in previous Assassin’s Creed games. Basim’s journey, driven by revenge and a higher calling, treads familiar ground, lacking the intrigue of its predecessors. Additionally, the one-dimensional villains and their henchmen fail to add nuance to the plot.

Graphics, Art Style Sound and Music

Assassin’s Creed Mirage delivers stunning environmental graphics, effectively immersing players in the historical wonders of 9th century Baghdad. However, the character models, especially facial animations, fall short of modern standards and resemble those from previous generations. Some environmental assets appear reused or repurposed from previous games, though this doesn’t significantly detract from the overall experience. On PC, the game runs smoothly, maintaining a steady performance.

Mirage’s audio components complement its visuals and gameplay. While they don’t stand out as exceptional, they successfully create a cohesive and immersive gaming experience, contributing to the game’s atmosphere.

Gameplay Mechanics

The gameplay in Mirage revolves around stealth, harkening back to the series’ roots. Combat encounters often serve as environmental puzzles, requiring players to strategize on how to dispatch guards silently. The combat system, while present, is toned down and modified to emphasize stealth. Dodging and parrying gain prominence, urging players to prioritize evasion over confrontation. The use of map reveal towers, a series staple, feels less engaging due to their streamlined design.

In the realm of stealth, Mirage excels, providing players with a versatile toolkit for eliminating enemies discreetly. Throwing daggers, firebombs, smoke bombs, and other tools add depth to stealth encounters. The introduction of faction tokens is a notable addition, offering various benefits based on players’ interactions with different factions. Tokens can be earned through quests, pickpocketing, or looting chests. The notoriety system, a returning feature, has been streamlined with three escalating levels of consequences based on player actions, adding an element of challenge.

Replayability

Unfortunately, Mirage falls short in terms of replayability. The game’s story remains static, unaffected by player decisions, which limits its long-term appeal.

Pros

  • Assassin’s Creed Mirage successfully returns to the franchise’s stealth roots.
  • The game boasts a beautifully crafted historical setting in 9th century Baghdad.
  • Streamlined gameplay maintains the core essence of the series, making it accessible to both veterans and newcomers.

Cons:

  • Despite its high price tag, Mirage may feel more like an expansion than a full-fledged game.
  • Limited upgrade options and a lack of player freedom in character development.
  • The game’s return to its roots may not resonate with players accustomed to the more expansive and open-world approach seen in recent entries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Assassin’s Creed Mirage offers a visually stunning journey back to the franchise’s stealthy origins. While it may not match the depth of its predecessors and falls short in terms of replayability, it manages to deliver an enjoyable mix of stealth, action, and RPG elements. Whether Mirage’s return to its roots appeals to players or feels like a step back in comparison to recent entries will largely depend on individual preferences and expectations.

REVIEW OVERVIEW

Gameplay Overview
Storyline and Setting
Graphics and Music
Gameplay Mechanics
Replayability

SUMMARY

Assassin's Creed Mirage offers a visually stunning journey back to the franchise's stealthy origins. While it may not match the depth of its predecessors and falls short in terms of replayability, it manages to deliver an enjoyable mix of stealth, action, and RPG elements. Whether Mirage's return to its roots appeals to players or feels like a step back in comparison to recent entries will largely depend on individual preferences and expectations.

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Assassin's Creed Mirage offers a visually stunning journey back to the franchise's stealthy origins. While it may not match the depth of its predecessors and falls short in terms of replayability, it manages to deliver an enjoyable mix of stealth, action, and RPG elements. Whether Mirage's return to its roots appeals to players or feels like a step back in comparison to recent entries will largely depend on individual preferences and expectations.Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Back to Basics, but Is It In Line With Today's Expectations?