Assassin’s Creed Mirage arrived with a promise—to take the franchise back to its roots, stripping away the overwhelming RPG mechanics and bloated open-world designs that had come to define recent entries like Odyssey and Valhalla. Ubisoft framed it as a love letter to the original Assassin’s Creed, bringing back the dense city environments, focused stealth mechanics, and a more contained narrative. For many long-time fans, this was exactly what they had been hoping for. But once the nostalgia settled, some began to wonder: Was Mirage truly a return to form or just a carefully calculated attempt to capitalize on nostalgia?
How does Assassin’s Creed: Mirage fit into the series?
The game certainly succeeds in capturing the feel of Ubisoft‘s early Assassin’s Creed titles. The setting of ninth-century Baghdad is rich with historical detail, reminiscent of the dense, vibrant cities from the franchise’s past. Gone are the endless countryside regions filled with side content that felt like busywork. Instead, Mirage emphasizes parkour, blending into crowds, and stalking targets like a true assassin. Basim, the protagonist, is an engaging character, though his story, acting as a prequel to Valhalla, may not resonate with those unfamiliar with his future fate. Despite these strengths, there’s a sense that the game plays things a bit too safe, sticking rigidly to the past rather than innovating in meaningful ways.
A key issue lies in how Mirage handles its core gameplay loop. While the return of social stealth and a more structured assassination approach is refreshing, the actual mission design can feel dated. The game borrows heavily from Unity and Syndicate, offering players a variety of ways to approach their targets, but lacks the depth seen in the Hitman series. It’s a strategy that mirrors other industries—just as the best online casinos update classic games with modern graphics and mechanics to appeal to new audiences, Mirage refreshes old ideas but doesn’t necessarily innovate upon them. The reliance on nostalgia can be effective, but it also highlights how little Mirage pushes the series forward.
Beyond gameplay, the narrative itself is a mixed bag. Basim’s personal journey is compelling, but it’s hindered by a lack of strong supporting characters. The story aims for a more intimate, character-driven experience compared to the sprawling epics of recent entries, yet it occasionally feels rushed or underdeveloped. Part of what made earlier Assassin’s Creed games work was not just their historical settings but the intrigue of the overarching Assassin-Templar conflict. In Mirage, this dynamic exists, but it lacks the tension and mystery that made earlier games so captivating. Ubisoft’s attempts to streamline the experience result in a story that is focused yet somewhat forgettable.
One of the most appreciated aspects of Mirage is its visual and audio presentation. The game’s recreation of Baghdad is stunning, filled with bustling markets, towering minarets, and a vibrant color palette that breathes life into the world. The soundtrack and ambient sounds further enhance immersion, making traversal through the city a joy. Yet, while the world itself is beautifully realized, its interactivity remains limited. Compared to modern open-world games that allow for deeper environmental interaction, Mirage feels more like a beautifully crafted stage rather than a living, breathing city.
Combat, another point of contention in the franchise, sees a return to a more simplified approach. Gone are the RPG-like gear systems of Odyssey and Valhalla, replaced with a combat system that emphasizes quick, precise strikes and counterattacks. While this aligns with the older games, it also feels somewhat underdeveloped, lacking the weight and challenge of more refined melee combat systems found in other modern action games. The emphasis is clearly on stealth, but when combat does become necessary, it rarely feels as satisfying as it should.
Perhaps the biggest challenge Mirage faces is that it exists in a gaming landscape that has moved forward. The original Assassin’s Creed formula was groundbreaking in 2007, but today’s players expect more. Ubisoft’s decision to play it safe with Mirage means that, while it successfully recaptures a certain era of the franchise, it doesn’t offer much that feels new or essential. For those who have longed for a return to the old ways, it delivers, but for others, it may feel like a step backward rather than a true evolution.
Conclusion
That’s not to say Mirage is a bad game—it’s far from it. It’s a well-executed, polished experience that provides a solid 15-20 hours of gameplay without the usual Ubisoft bloat. However, its reliance on nostalgia may not be enough to sustain interest in the long run. With the gaming industry constantly evolving and pushing new boundaries, Mirage feels like a momentary return to the past rather than a blueprint for the future of Assassin’s Creed.
In the end, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is a game that delivers exactly what it promises—a return to the series’ roots. For some, this will be a welcome change, a nostalgic journey that rekindles their love for the franchise. For others, it will serve as a reminder of why the series evolved in the first place. It’s a game caught between two worlds, and while it offers a solid experience, it ultimately leaves the question open: What should Assassin’s Creed be in the modern era?
