Blast From the Past: “Assassin’s Creed Mirage” Takes Us Back to the Franchise’s Stealthy Beginnings

As a longtime fan of the “Assassin’s Creed” series, I’ve always cherished the franchise’s early days when it was all about stealth, cunning, and the art of assassination. While the recent RPG-focused titles like “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey” and “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” brought their own excitement, there’s nothing quite like the pure, focused thrill of the original “Assassin’s Creed” and its early sequels. That’s why my excitement is through the roof for the upcoming release of “Assassin’s Creed Mirage”.

I recently had the chance to get a sneak peek at “Mirage” through a preview session, where I played it on an Xbox. And let me tell you, my demo ran as smoothly as a well-coordinated stealth kill.

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Returning to the Roots

“Assassin’s Creed Mirage” sweeps us away to 9th-century Baghdad, a place that not only revives the original game’s mechanics but also pays homage to Middle Eastern locales. Maybe it’s my penchant for nostalgia (who’d have thought that Assassin’s Creed would make me feel nostalgic?), but there’s something undeniably heartwarming about revisiting this aesthetic.

The game introduces us to Basim, a character you might remember from “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla”. This prequel unveils the transformation of Basim from a humble street thief to a pivotal figure within the enigmatic Hidden Ones, the core of Assassin’s Creed’s rich lore.

My demo was predominantly centred around orchestrating an assassination against a significant city official, and followed a more structured storyline than other games I normally enjoy. Personally, I’m always more drawn to more open-world settings, and I couldn’t help but yearn for the open-ended approach seen in “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt”.

So, what’s the secret sauce that makes “Assassin’s Creed Mirage” feel like a loving throwback to the franchise’s early days? It’s all about its dedication to the art of stealth, city navigation, and those oh-so-satisfying stealth kills.

A Blast From the Past, With Modern Twists

Unlike the earlier games in the franchise, don’t expect too many modern-day storylines in “Assassin’s Creed Mirage”. The game leans more heavily into the historical setting, catering to fans who crave that authentic “Assassin’s Creed” experience without the distractions of contemporary elements.

That said, “Mirage” does incorporate some features from recent titles, such as your trusty bird companion.

For those of us who long for the essence of the original games, this instalment promises to deliver exactly what we’ve been missing. As the release date approaches, I can’t help but look forward to once again scaling buildings and descending upon my targets, knife in hand.

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When Can You Play “Assassin’s Creed Mirage”?

Mark your calendars for October 5, as that’s when “Assassin’s Creed Mirage” hits the shelves for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Pre-order “Assassin’s Creed Mirage” ($79.95) here.

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