One Year Later, Assassin’s Creed Mirage Is Still a Reminder of the Series’ Past

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One Year Later, Assassin's Creed Mirage Is Still a Reminder of the Series' Past

Key Takeaways

  • Assassin’s Creed Mirage emphasized stealth gameplay, reminiscent of earlier games in the series.
  • The game focused on story-driven character progression over heavy RPG elements, with mixed results.
  • Despite a shallow protagonist, Assassin’s Creed Mirage delivered a classic experience requested by fans.

As a gamer with over 20 years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Assassin’s Creed Mirage was a breath of fresh air for the series. After years of spin-offs and open-world adventures, it felt like a warm hug from an old friend. It brought us back to the roots of stealth gameplay that made the early games so addictive, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

It’s been a year since the release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, so let’s reflect on how this game influenced the series. Although Assassin’s Creed Mirage didn’t receive as much praise as some earlier games, it was likely a necessary step for the franchise, and its effects are still evident today.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage may not appeal to everyone, but that’s part of its charm because it harks back to the early days of a series that is nearly 17 years old. This might make it hard for modern audiences and newcomers to stay engaged, but perhaps it was designed with the long-time fans of the franchise in mind instead. Assassin’s Creed Mirage successfully reminded those who have followed the series since its beginnings of its original qualities.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage Brought the Franchise Back to Its Roots

Assassin’s Creed Mirage Provided a Renewed Emphasis on Stealth

One intriguing aspect that drew players to Assassin’s Creed Mirage upon its release in 2023 was its renewed focus on stealth gameplay. For years, fans had been asking for the Assassin’s Creed series to return to its origins, and with its promise to do just that, Assassin’s Creed Mirage certainly delivered. In contrast to previous releases like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla that leaned more towards action-oriented gameplay, Assassin’s Creed Mirage actively promoted stealth gameplay, much like the early Assassin’s Creed games did.

The stealthy gameplay in today’s games still feels relevant, serving as a contemporary nod to the past, like when tutorials guided players on blending with crowds, evading chasing guards, and pocketing money from unsuspecting civilians – reminiscent of the early days of Assassin’s Creed and Assassin’s Creed 2. The protagonist of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Basim, is equipped with a variety of stealthy gadgets to help him navigate Baghdad’s bustling streets filled with guards without raising suspicion.

In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the importance of these tools is significantly heightened because of its focus on stealth gameplay.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage Exchanged Heavy RPG Elements for Story-Driven Character Progression

In contrast to some recent Assassin’s Creed games that prioritized expansive open worlds over story, Assassin’s Creed Mirage leans more towards narrative. However, the story is less engaging due to the character of Basim who isn’t particularly intriguing. Instead of incorporating heavy RPG elements into the game progression as previous installments did, Ubisoft chose a story-driven character development path for Basim, which seems somewhat shallow.

One Year Later, Assassin's Creed Mirage Is Still a Reminder of the Series' Past

Choosing to abandon the RPG aspects found in previous Assassin’s Creed games, like Assassin’s Creed Mirage’s predecessors, was a smart decision for a game aimed at rekindling the series’ original spirit. This is because the essence of early Assassin’s Creed games centered around their immersive worlds, compelling characters, and the influence of the Assassin Brotherhood in combating corruption. This shift paved the way for Ubisoft to create a game world that feels alive in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, with fresh discoveries waiting around every turn. In essence, Baghdad can be considered one of the main characters in Assassin’s Creed Mirage.

Despite the fact that the progression in Assassin’s Creed Mirage relied on a somewhat uninteresting protagonist, contributing to its potential shortcomings, it nonetheless managed to provide the authentic Assassin’s Creed experience that fans had been yearning for over many years before its release. A year later, Assassin’s Creed Mirage serves as a reflection of what the franchise once was, and there remains optimism that the series will not lose sight of its roots as it moves forward in development.

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2024-10-05 23:24