The Highly Anticipated Arrival of Assassin’s Creed Mirage

The latest addition to the beloved Assassin’s Creed franchise is set to make its debut later this year, and fans are buzzing with excitement. The connection between this game and its predecessor, Valhalla, has left many avid players with numerous questions. Luckily, we already have some confirmed details about the highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Let’s dive into what we know so far.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage Lore

Mirage takes players on an immersive journey through a blend of natural, historical settings and captivating Middle Eastern mythology and folklore. The game revolves around the life and struggles of Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief during the Golden Age of 9th-century Baghdad. Basim finds himself caught in the conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Templar Order. The Hidden Ones, led by Bayek and Aya, fight for peace and freedom through stealth and assassination, while the Templar Order seeks control and power. The vibrant backdrop of Baghdad as a center of learning, culture, and trade ensures a narratively rich experience. Players must guide Basim to choose between joining the Hidden Ones on their quest for peace or succumbing to the seductive allure of the Templar Order’s pursuit of power. With a combination of parkour, stealth, and combat, players will witness Basim’s transformation into a master assassin under the mentorship of Roshan.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage Setting

Mirage is set in the historical period of 9th-century Baghdad, specifically starting in the year 861. This time frame showcases Baghdad’s prominence as a hub for knowledge, art, science, commerce, and power during its illustrious Golden Age. Ubisoft has gone to great lengths to ensure that the city’s significance and historical documentation are faithfully represented in the game. One notable location that players can explore is The Alamut, situated just outside Baghdad, known as the base of the Assassins’ founders. However, it’s important to note that the game won’t feature an open-world exploration beyond these carefully crafted historical sites. The majority of the gameplay will be centered in Baghdad, which will be divided into four districts. Basim, a key character in both historical and modern-day Assassin’s Creed Valhalla storylines, takes center stage in Mirage. Originally planned as DLC for Valhalla, the decision to develop it as a standalone game demonstrates the importance of Mirage’s narrative in the present context. By delving into 9th-century Baghdad, players can expect an engaging and historically accurate experience, immersing themselves in a captivating storyline that influences the Assassin’s Creed universe in both past and present.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage Release Date

Ubisoft has confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Mirage is scheduled to be released on October 12, 2023. The game will be available on multiple platforms, including PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One, ensuring a wide reach to players. Additionally, Ubisoft has announced that PC gamers can access the game through the Ubisoft and Epic Games stores, providing different avenues to experience this highly anticipated installment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage Gameplay

Mirage brings the series back to its roots by focusing on social stealth, fast parkour, and agile assassinations. Ubisoft Bordeaux aims to combine elements from previous Assassin’s Creed games while delivering a modern take on gameplay and iconic features. The story-driven progression complements a more compact and contained map for exploration. The gameplay trailer showcased at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase provided a glimpse into the social stealth, variety of missions, and assassination techniques available to the protagonist, Basim Ibn Ishaq. Ubisoft highlights Mirage’s heightened emphasis on stealth, introducing new detection systems, city designs that facilitate stealth approaches, and combat tools like detection mines and blowdarts. Parkour remains a central element, now with a faster pace, empowering players to fluidly navigate the densely-layered city of Baghdad. Ubisoft reintroduces well-loved animations from previous games and introduces new parkour moves, such as the pole vault, to elegantly overcome obstacles. Assassinations receive increased focus, with the addition of “Black Box missions” that offer players the freedom to approach targets in different ways. Players can blend into crowds, track targets from rooftops, and utilize new Assassin’s Tools that can be upgraded, as well as trap-setting abilities. Mirage introduces fresh assassination animations and a mechanic reminiscent of the popular Mark and Execute feature, allowing for multiple stealth kills. The gameplay showcased Basim’s ability to effectively evade guards using smoke bombs and parkour tactics. Players will have a multitude of approaches for each mission, whether through stealth, combat, or other methods, enhancing replayability and strategic depth. The presence of ethereal figures teases potential abilities that aid in quick takedowns or offer optimal paths for eliminating threats. Ubisoft’s emphasis on fast-paced parkour encourages exploration, making traversal a key component in tracking and engaging targets. Fans of the series will be delighted to see the return of classic animations like the corner swing.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage Pre-Order Editions

Assassin’s Creed Mirage offers players three distinct editions to cater to their preferences and desires. Each edition comes with its own set of exclusive in-game rewards. Here are the pre-order packages that players can choose from:

Standard Edition

Price: £44.99/$49.99/€49.99

• Includes the base game, providing players with the core gaming experience in 9th-century Baghdad.

Deluxe Edition

Price: £49.99/$59.99/€59.99

• Includes all features of the Standard Edition
• Additional content: Prince of Persia-inspired outfit, unique Eagle and Mount skins, special weapons, and more.
• Bonus digital items: Artbook and soundtrack, further immersing players in the world of Mirage.

Collector’s Case

Price: £129.99/$149.99/€149.99

• Includes all features of the Deluxe Edition
• Exclusive physical items: Finely detailed Basim figurine, selected game soundtrack, exclusive steel book, detailed Baghdad map for exploration, artbook showcasing stunning visuals, and Basim’s brooch for an authentic touch.

Is Assassin’s Creed Mirage Worth Getting?

Mirage offers a thrilling gameplay experience that combines stealth, parkour, and assassinations, reminiscent of the early roots of the Assassin’s Creed series. With a more focused map and expanded gameplay options, players can fully immerse themselves in the vibrant world of 9th-century Baghdad and shape Basim’s journey through their choices and actions. Whether you’re a veteran of the series or a newcomer, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is sure to captivate and entertain. Don’t miss out on this exciting adventure in the Assassin’s Creed franchise!