Ubisoft is set to make waves in the gaming industry with its upcoming release, Assassin’s Creed Mirage. The game, which is set to release on October 12, marks a significant return to the roots of the esteemed franchise. And, just when you thought Ubisoft had little else interesting to show for the game after its latest trailer, the French publisher delivered even more hype-inducing glimpses of the game at its most recent Ubisoft Forward event.
The game’s protagonist, Basim Ibn Ishaq, was first introduced to gamers in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. In Mirage, we follow his journey in 9th-century Baghdad, as he evolves from a street thief to an accomplished Hidden One.
The latest story trailer presented by Ubisoft gives us a thrilling preview of his journey and the trials he will have to navigate.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage promises to resonate with fans of the franchise who fell in love with the original Assassin’s Creed games. It’s a return to the quintessential Assassin’s Creed experience – a less complex narrative focusing on stealth, parkour, assassinations, and of course, an endearing scout bird named Enkidu to aid Basim in his endeavors.
Mirage is a testament to Ubisoft’s flexibility in heeding the voices of their fans. Following a detour into the realms of RPG-style gameplay with Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, the franchise is returning to its original allure. This shift demonstrates a keen understanding of franchise fatigue and an acknowledgement that sometimes, nostalgia can be a potent ingredient for success.
One of the significant elements of Mirage’s design is its smaller map and shorter campaign length. While this might initially raise eyebrows, it aligns with the game’s back-to-basics ethos, with the game’s creative director, Stéphane Boudo, describing it as a “character-driven story, focused on the core pillars of the first ACs.”
However, the compact narrative doesn’t make for a lesser game. Quite the contrary, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is an intense, focused gaming experience. By following the phrase “less is more”, Ubisoft is able to pack a lot of content into the relatively small package of Mirage.
Perhaps one of the most intriguing facets of Mirage is its price. The game retails for $50, a marked decrease from the usual price point for games of this caliber. Yet, this change in price has raised concerns about potential monetization strategies. Some fans have voiced their worry about microtransactions for cosmetic items, a trend seen in recent entries of the series. Whether Mirage will adhere to or divert from this path remains to be seen.
The journey from being an expansion for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla to its standalone game speaks volumes about Mirage’s potential.
While its conception may have begun modestly, the enthusiasm and confidence fans have for Mirage’s unique style, which is reminiscent of the very first Assassin’s Creed, is anything but meek.
The return to the franchise’s roots, coupled with a new protagonist and setting, is set to breathe fresh life into the series. Fans eagerly anticipating the launch have been treated to promising glimpses of both gameplay and storyline, affirming the potential that Mirage holds.
With Ubisoft going all-in on Assassin’s Creed, here’s to hoping Mirage is just the first of many.
