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On the banks of the muddy canals that crisscross ancient 9th-century Baghdad, a peculiar sight catches the eye.
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While silt turned most river waters brown, one mysterious cove showed a persistent red color, resistant to the currents that passed through the city.
Following these scarlet clues through the narrow streets lined with adobe houses, observers come across something unusual – a dye factory.
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In this unique setting, dedicated workers immerse fabrics in large cauldrons of colored water, with beads of sweat breaking out on their foreheads as they perform their tasks.
That's just one of the many stunning vistas that Ubisoft's latest release, Assassin's Creed Mirage, offers players as it transports them into a world of intrigue and action.
The Intriguing Baghdad and Its Secrets
AC Mirage immerses players in the years before Assassin's Creed Valhalla, adding a Viking touch to the setting.
The protagonists met Basim Ibn Ishaq, a skilled pickpocket who turned into an assassin in training.
The game unfolds when a daring palace robbery goes horribly wrong, forcing Basim to flee his village and align himself with the Hidden.
The mission is now clear: confront the Order, an enigmatic group that is infiltrating the highest echelons of power in Baghdad.
Although both groups, The Hidden and the Order, operate in the shadows and are involved in murder, the game highlights the moral difference between their approaches.
The game considers the murders that players commit honorable, while labeling those in the Order as cowards.
This distinction may be partially attributed to the fact that players act on behalf of the people, but morality needs to be examined carefully, especially considering the player's ability to steal other people's wallets and even jewelry from hard-working nurses in the halls of a Baghdad hospital. . In short, hooded assassins: good; masked killers: bad.
A Necessary Return to Origins
Fans of the Assassin's Creed series may find Mirage familiar.
Most entries in the franchise begin with a character involved in the age-old conflict between The Hidden Ones and The Order, which later become The Assassins and The Templars.
AC Mirage may even seem like a throwback, with its Middle Eastern setting and simplified tools.
Some might argue that it's less ambitious, as the original 2007 Assassin's Creed allowed you to explore three cities, while Mirage is limited to one.
However, Basim's journey benefits from this narrower focus.
Recent games in the series have accumulated a series of extra elements.
Origins introduced complex gear statistics similar to The Witcher 3, forcing players to collect resources to upgrade their outfits.
Odyssey changed the focus to large-scale battles amid the war between Athens and Sparta, removing the protagonists from the shadows.
Valhalla, in turn, involved players in castle raids, village building, and activities that went beyond the scope of an assassin.
AC Mirage does not eliminate all of these elements, but incorporates them more cohesively into its narrative.
A Stealthier, More Realistic Approach
Stealth gameplay is at the heart of Mirage, and Ubisoft has honed this mechanic.
Ubisoft has simplified combat by reducing the variety of weapons compared to Origins, Odyssey and Valhalla, leaving players with a sword and a dagger.
Fighting multiple enemies at the same time is possible, but risky, as health does not automatically regenerate and some hits can be fatal.
They added a new move called “Assassin's Focus”, which allows you to pause time and target nearby enemies, giving you a streak of silent kills with a single tap.
Players can only use this ability when undetected, adding a strategic aspect to the game.
The sprawling conflicts of Odyssey and the raids of Valhalla have been replaced with the ability to hire NPCs in the city to assist with quests.
When faced with a target hiding within a fortified village, the player can recruit willing mercenaries to create a distraction, attracting the attention of guards and allowing stealth entry.
This approach maintains the essence of the large-scale combat of previous games, without straying from the Assassin's Creed identity.
The good Son returns home
By returning to the series' roots, Ubisoft has created a more focused Assassin's Creed that can be enjoyed even by those with limited time.
Setting all the action in and around a single city, the development team filled the game world with fascinating details of everyday life.
The narrative may feel familiar, but after a series of open-world games without clear direction, Assassin's Creed Mirage is definitely a step in the right direction.
A precise stab that revitalizes the series and offers players an immersive and exciting experience.
