Assassin’s Creed Mirage Review: Unveiling Baghdad’s Secrets

In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Ubisoft Bordeaux takes us to ninth-century Baghdad, offering a refreshing return to the series’ roots. While the game doesn’t break new ground in the overarching narrative, focusing heavily on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s character Basim, it delivers a captivating experience by delving into social stealth and immersing players in the rich history of the city.

Exploring Baghdad:

Mirage’s standout feature is undoubtedly its portrayal of ninth-century Baghdad. The city’s vibrant, multi-layered architecture provides an engaging playground for players to navigate, employing freerunning through pulleys, platforms, balconies, and rooftops. While occasional design hiccups with Basim’s movements exist, they don’t detract significantly from the overall experience.

Baghdad comes alive with its history, seamlessly incorporating landmarks like the House of Wisdom into main story missions. The codex, detailing the city’s history and culture, adds depth to each discovery, making the exploration not just a gameplay element but an educational journey into a lesser-explored period of world history.

Basim Ibn Ishaq’s Tale:

As Basim, a talented street thief turned Hidden One, players embark on a mission to eliminate the Order of Ancients, precursors to the Templar Order, controlling Baghdad from the shadows. Basim excels at subterfuge and stealth, and the game offers a satisfying blend of open combat and social-stealth elements. The ability to parry and execute enemies showcases Basim’s prowess in duels, while facing multiple guards encourages players to embrace the game’s social-stealth mechanics.

Tools of the Trade:

Mirage equips Basim with an array of gadgets, from throwing knives to noisemakers, allowing customization based on playstyle. These tools, obtained through hidden chests or optional contracts, contribute to the versatility of stealth approaches. The addition of an eagle companion and supernatural Eagle Vision enhances scouting, offering a strategic advantage in planning each move.

Challenges and Consequences:

The game introduces a notoriety system, where citizens react to Basim’s actions. While notoriety can affect gameplay, its implementation feels lenient, lacking the anticipated challenge. Being discovered prompts reactions from citizens and escalates the danger level, requiring players to balance risk and reward in maintaining stealth.

Compelling Investigation Loop:

The Black Box missions, reminiscent of earlier titles, shine as the highlight of Mirage. These missions offer open-ended investigations, allowing players to approach targets creatively. Bribing servants, stealing keys, eavesdropping, and disguises provide a range of options, with the satisfaction of seeing well-laid plans unfold.

Narrative and Characterization:

The game’s narrative, centered around Basim’s hunt for the Order, unfolds in a concise manner. The absence of a complex present-day storyline allows for a focused experience, but weak character development hampers the emotional impact. Nehal and Roshan, Basim’s allies, provide glimpses into his character but lack depth and consistent presence.

Conclusion:

Assassin’s Creed Mirage successfully brings the series back to its roots, offering an engaging historical exploration of Baghdad and a compelling narrative arc for Basim. While not without flaws, including weak characterizations and occasional design issues, the game excels in delivering an educational and enjoyable Assassin’s Creed experience. Mirage stands as a captivating chapter in the series, especially for those intrigued by the rich history of ninth-century Baghdad.