Assassin's Creed Valhalla is the most commercially successful entry in the franchise. Its successor, which originally was a spin-off for the game, might not be too far behind.
Assassin's Creed has etched its mark as one of the monumental franchises, renowned in recent years for expansive and engrossing worlds and intricate storylines. However, with Assassin's Creed Mirage, Ubisoft has indicated a significant shift, which might hold the key to the future trajectory of the series. By returning to the stealth-centered essence of its initial entries, Mirage captures the nostalgia of long-time fans. It emphasizes a strategic decision that might redefine the franchise's upcoming titles.
Mirage's commercial performance is undoubtedly robust. Having been crowned as Ubisoft's "biggest new-gen launch" for the PS5 and Xbox Series S/X, the game has captured the attention of both critics and fans. The sales, on par with former successes like Assassin's Creed Origins and Odyssey, show Ubisoft has tapped into a goldmine. Perhaps, more importantly, it suggests there's appetite for more stealth-focused entries, despite its relatively low score on Metacritic.
The move back to the franchise's roots with Mirage was far from inadvertent. Over the years, despite the success of its most recent titles, especially Valhalla, fans expressed the desire for a more "old-school" experience. Mirage's shorter and more concentrated storyline, devoid of numerous RPG elements that marked its predecessors, was a response to this demand. It's a calculated return to a time when stealth, parkour, and assassinations were at the heart of gameplay. And, given the game's reception, this decision has been a masterstroke.
