The popular subscription service Xbox Game Pass continues to evolve, with the recent addition of eight new titles in the early days of August. Among these new additions, ‘Assassin’s Creed Mirage’ stands out, available on consoles, PC, and the cloud, promising to offer users a rich and varied experience in this world of adventure and exploration. Some come and others go However, not all news is good, as the removal of five titles from the catalog will also be confirmed soon. One of the most notable on this list is ‘Sea of Stars’, an RPG that has […]
The popular subscription service Xbox Game Pass continues to evolve, with the recent addition of eight new titles in the early days of August. Among these new additions, ‘Assassin’s Creed Mirage’ stands out, available on consoles, PC, and the cloud, promising to offer users a rich and varied experience in this world of adventure and exploration.
Some come and others go
However, not everything is good news, as the removal of five titles from the catalog will also be confirmed soon. One of the most notable on this list is ‘Sea of Stars’,an RPG that has received praise from both critics and players. Although Microsoft has not yet provided an exact date for the removal of these titles, the company has a habit of removing games on the 15th and 30/31st of each month, which suggests that the disappearance could occur on August 31.
Users interested in enjoying ‘Sea of Stars‘ and other titles that will be removed will have to hurry, as their departure from the service is confirmed soon. The announcement of additions and removals of titles is a common practice in Xbox Game Pass, which seeks to keep its catalog fresh and appealing and, in turn, responds to a growth that has exceeded Microsoft’s expectations since its launch.
As the second half of August approaches, an announcement about more titles that will be added to the service is also anticipated. In this regard, users will be on the lookout for updates that will be revealed in the coming days, continuing the trend of Xbox Game Pass to offer a strong lineup in its game offerings.
With these dynamics, Xbox not only maintains its competitiveness in the market but also seeks to meet the demands of a constantly evolving player base with varied tastes.
Ubisoft has surprised fans of the Assassin’s Creed franchise by announcing the expansion titled Claws of Awaji, developed by the creators of Assassin’s Creed Mirage. This expansion will provide more than 10 hours of additional content and will be released at the end of 2025. Unlike previous strategies, Ubisoft has decided to eliminate the season pass; instead, Claws of Awaji will be offered as a bonus for pre-ordering the game, although it will also be available for separate purchase later. How to continue your adventures? With a treasure hunt In this new adventure, the protagonists Yasuke […]
Ubisoft has surprised fans of the Assassin’s Creed franchise by announcing the expansion titled Claws of Awaji, developed by the creators of Assassin’s Creed Mirage. This expansion will provide more than 10 hours of additional content and will be released at the end of 2025. Unlike previous strategies, Ubisoft has decided to eliminate the season pass; instead, Claws of Awaji will be offered as a bonus for pre-ordering the game, although it will also be available for purchase separately later on.
How to Continue Your Adventures? With a Treasure Hunt
In this new adventure, the protagonists Yasuke and Naoe will travel to Awaji Island, located beyond Osaka Bay. Players will face a new enemy, Sanzoku Ippa, as the heroes try to secure a lost treasure. Additionally, Naoe will have a new type of weapon, the bo, which promises to add a new dimension to the gameplay.
However, Ubisoft’s financial situation is complicated, which has led the company to seek to “maximize value”. Although they have not commented on rumors of a possible acquisition by Tencent, uncertainty weighs on the company at this time. On the other hand, the release date of Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been delayed multiple times. It was initially scheduled for 2024, but now, it is expected to arrive on March 20, 2025 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
In a recent preview, GameSpot highlighted that Ubisoft Quebec seems poised to merge the different eras of Assassin’s Creed, although this ambition has failed in the past. Fans of the saga eagerly await how this approach will unfold and how the new elements of the expansion will be integrated into the game itself.
Ubisoft has not been very keen on releasing its games on Steam for quite a few years now. With its own store and service in the form of Ubisoft Connect, aiming to push users to use it, it’s normal for their games to be released later, or not at all, on Valve’s platform. But after several sales setbacks, it seems that this will change in the future. In fact, the company’s latest major game to date will be arriving on the platform very soon. Assassin’s Creed Mirage will be coming to Steam this very month. Without a specific release date, with a […]
Ubisoft has not been keen on releasing its games on Steam for quite a few years. With its own store and service in the form of Ubisoft Connect, aiming to push use, it’s normal for their games to be released later, or not at all, on Valve’s platform. However, after several sales setbacks, it seems that this will be changing. In fact, the company’s latest major game will be arriving on the platform very soon.
Immerse yourself in the world of Assassin's Creed Mirage, where stealth and strategy reach a whole new dimension. Experience a spectacular recreation of 17th century Baghdad, master the art of infiltration, and uncover hidden secrets in an engaging narrative.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage will arrive on Steam this very month. With no specific date except for “October” on its release page, there is no longer any mystery that the game will arrive on the platform. Star Wars Outlaws will be the next game from the company to do so, although this one does have a specific date: November 21.
These releases overlap with the fact that Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which was originally going to be released on November 15, has been delayed until February 2025. This has undoubtedly led Ubisoft to have a special interest in boosting the sales of its other major recent projects.
Especially in the case of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, a smaller title that aimed to return to the origins of the franchise, with a reduced price and on a massive platform like Steam, it may find a very interested audience. However, if you don’t want to wait, on October 8th and 9th, the Amazon Prime Days are being held, during which there are huge offers, including Ubisoft games, Assassin’s Creed Mirage included.
Given that Assassin’s Creed Mirage has so far been the biggest launch in terms of units sold for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, it wouldn’t be surprising if its release on Steam ends up performing similarly. Stay tuned to see if Basim manages to surprise us again.
The latest trick that Ubisoft has deliberately played on the players of ‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’ and it is simply too much.
The issue of ads in video games is starting to stink. Yes, we’ve all gotten used to mobile games—especially free-to-play ones—having ads here and there, but the possibilities, sadly, are endless. The proof is in the latest trick that Ubisoft has slipped into ‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’ players, which is simply too much, as if they didn’t want to acknowledge it.
The advertising odyssey
If you’re a fan of ‘Assassin’s Creed’, you might not be able to play much else because Ubisoft churns out new games for the franchise at a breakneck speed. In fact, since ‘Odyssey’, they’ve already released ‘Valhalla’ and ‘Mirage’, with new installments soon to follow. If you want to play through the entire saga, get ready for quite a few hours, as it already totals 30 titles, including 13 console games and 17 mobile or virtual reality spin-offs, all in just 15 years. Whew.
However, no matter how much variety the franchise offers, when you’re immersed in a video game, you expect it to isolate you from the rest and not remind you that, deep down, it’s a product and you’re just a consumer. Nevertheless, Ubisoft has decided that upon opening the map in ‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’, before accessing it, a fabulous Black Friday offer promoting… ‘Assassin’s Creed Mirage‘ appears.
Users have responded in a way far from enthusiasm: with threats to uninstall the game and even return it, swearing off any future titles from the series (something we know will likely change when ‘Assassin’s Creed Codename Red,’ or whatever it’s finally called, hits the market). And it’s true that a company should only let marketing possibilities go so far: Ubisoft has clearly crossed the line, and fans are far from happy with the decision.
We’ve grown accustomed to practices like these, but it’s always surprising that games, always pushing cosmetic microtransactions, DLCs, and other easy money-grabs, continue to want to accumulate more and more, even if it means ruining the player’s experience. Hopefully, in the future, we’ll see less of these practices… if the data doesn’t turn out as positive as they expect. Fingers crossed.
And although Assassin’s Creed Mirage was released just a week ago, in a matter of days, its players have managed to spend half a millennium doing parkour in the city of Baghdad.
To be exact: in six days, players have invested a total of 479 years performing skilled movements and bouncing across the rooftops of the city.
Or so was revealed by the official Assassin’s Creed Twitter account yesterday as part of a statement where they thanked fans for “joining us on this incredible journey that celebrates, honors, and builds upon the legacy of 15 years of the Assassin’s Creed series.”
Thank you all for joining us on Basim's journey in 9th Century Baghdad!
The best data about Mirage after a week of gameplay
In the same message, it was confirmed that Mirage is Ubisoft’s biggest game launch in the current generation when considering its sales on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
The total number of players, they explain, is “in line” with the releases of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Origins. The Assassin’s Creed team feels “honored by the warm reception.” Designed as an expansion of Valhalla, its fantastic sales performance is surprising within Ubisoft’s own offices.
Furthermore, players managed to perform about 60 million leaps of faith and, more importantly, pet around 1.2 million stray cats. All of this within a span of six days, so it’s truly impressive.
Whether it’s an intentional nod or not, it has also been pointed out that this in-game cat closely resembles a real fan’s cat, which they requested to be added to the game before its release. However, this hasn’t been confirmed. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and play Mirage, you’ll enjoy it.
We analyze the latest Ubisoft game, one of the most anticipated for being the most faithful title to the originals in 15 years of the franchise. Is Mirage up to the task?
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.
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.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage was featured at the PlayStation Showcase and we got the impression that it was a return to the roots of the franchise.
The PlayStation Showcase brought us great games, but one of the most eye-catching ones was Assassin’s Creed Mirage. With a particularly striking trailer, it seems to be everything we expect from Assassin’s Creed. The parkour, stealth assassinations, climbing, one-on-one combat – all those things we associate with the Ubisoft saga, and it looks like Assassin’s Creed Mirage is bringing them back to us.
While we don’t know all the details of the game yet, what this first gameplay of Assassin’s Creed Mirage sells us is that Bassin, the protagonist of this game, is going back to the roots of the franchise. Assassin’s Creed Mirage seems to be returning to a more classic style of gameplay. Instead of traversing an almost infinite open-world map, it appears that everything will be confined to a large but relatively contained city, where the focus will be on the mechanics that made us fall in love with the early Assassin’s Creed games: the incredible use of movement and the satisfaction of combat and executions.
This would be a welcomed change, especially because it has been a long time since we had an Assassin’s Creed game of this kind. Assassin’s Creed Origins seemed like it would bring us back to the roots, to a simpler and more contained experience, and while it is a foundational game that we all appreciate and respect, it ended up being something else. Having a game that brings back the excitement and feeling that the classics of the series were capable of generating, something that no other game or franchise has been able to replicate, would be incredible for Assassin’s Creed Mirage.
With a release date set for October 12th, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is confirmed to launch on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Microsoft Windows. Therefore, while we still have to wait a bit to find out if our impressions and desires will be fulfilled, until then, we have faith that this will be the Assassin’s Creed game that brings the series back to its roots.
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