After finishing Assassin’s Creed Valhalla just in time to write the review hours before the embargo lifted, my exhaustion was total. Valhalla was a completely disproportionate and enormous game that required almost 100 hours to complete.
Along the way, many interesting stories got lost in a sea of missions and tasks that seemed never-ending. The game, which premieres tomorrow on October 5th, is a demonstration that at Ubisoft, they still remember players like me.
I’ve always liked the Assassin’s Creed series, but over time, approaching a new one has given me a certain sense of apprehension. Mainly because installing one is equal to dedicating, at the very least, 50 hours to it.
And I don’t have 50 hours to play, even with my dedication to this business. And that’s where Mirage proves that good things come in small packages: all the essence in a little liquid.
A story we’ve seen a thousand times… and it works
In AC Mirage, you play as Basim, a clever street thief with nightmare visions, seeking answers and justice. After a deadly act of revenge, Basim flees Baghdad and joins an ancient organization: The Hidden Ones.
For those unaware, Assassin’s Creed Mirage was initially conceived as an expansion of Valhalla. That’s why the protagonist of our story is Basim, an assassin we already saw in the Viking titles.
However, as the development of the DLC progressed, Ubisoft realized that the story could be explored enough to make it a standalone game. A standalone game, as the English say.
And you have no idea how glad I am about this decision. Mirage is a compact game, with a simple and clear story, reminiscent of the original games. A big bad guy, several helpers, and an organization ready to deliver justice among the masked ones.
There’s nothing new, and that’s not a bad thing. Quite the opposite, it’s wonderful. It’s like going back to 2010, turning on the PS3/Xbox 360, making yourself a glass of hot chocolate, and enjoying the parkour and backstabbing assassinations with the hidden blade.
Everything feels familiar, but it’s in the midst of 2023. With all the good and very little bad.
Graphically powerful and with a stunning depiction of Baghdad
I played it on the PS5 version with Performance mode (Quality mode doesn’t run as smoothly as it should), and I can say it plays wonderfully, both in terms of smoothness and visual quality.
It’s not as breathtaking as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, but that’s due to the landscapes: the lush English countryside and snow-covered mountains of Norway don’t evoke the same impact as the brown and less colorful Baghdad.
Nevertheless, wandering the streets of Baghdad is filled with more mystery, magic, and charm than 99% of Valhalla’s map. There’s no filler here; the city feels alive, and it shows.
For this game, Ubisoft’s team has recreated a large and faithful Baghdad (filled with fascinating historical information and documentation; you genuinely learn while playing this game if you’re curious) accompanied by a few smaller surrounding towns. This way, you don’t feel confined, yet it doesn’t overwhelm you; it’s a perfect size, at least for me.
Climbing bell towers, towers, and other places to synchronize Basim with the city becomes addictive: there are only about 20 towers to climb, making exploring the entire map an achievable and enjoyable challenge. Because I would define the game as enjoyable.
Is it the best Assassin’s Creed in a decade?
For many people, the best modern Assassin’s Creed is Origins, a return to the series’ roots that introduced more realistic and modern combat mechanics. And I won’t argue against that. I’ll give my opinion instead.
For me, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is the best AC game I’ve played in 10 years. And I say this as someone whose favorite is Black Flag (I have a passion for pirates and sea shanties, what can I say).
With Mirage, I’ve rediscovered the joy of being an assassin. Exploring every corner, stealing from a rich person’s grand mansion, sneaking into a mighty fortress, and meticulously studying the route of the Caliph’s patrol – all of these experiences have rekindled my love for the series.
With Mirage, I’ve once again felt like an assassin who enjoys their work: liberating the oppressed people from the wicked who only seek to exploit the weak. And that, for me, is what makes Mirage a wonderful game.
