Review
Played on: Xbox Series X
Released: 2023
A bold move and perhaps an attempt to have smaller budget titles released more frequently, but it begs the question; do we need more frequent AC releases and is it really such a smaller budget? I don't know the answer, but Mirage feels closer to the large scale releases than the recent Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
Let's take a look at the latest Assassin's Creed though!
Mirage aims for a tighter, less convoluted angle to the series core formula. This is about sneaking in, taking out targets, gathering info and climbing about, parkour style. There’s a simple level tree, only granting you attack moves and special equipment, without the complexity of the large levelling trees seen in the recent AC titles. Reflected in the removal of enemy levels, all of them are the same level without the need for grinding to progress.
The AC series still excels when it comes to depicting buzzing towns from ancient times though, with tons of small alleys to explore. Mirage manages to be more reminiscent of how the old AC titles used to be, with density over size in design. There are so many nooks and crannies everywhere!
Mirage aims for a tighter, less convoluted angle to the series core formula. This is about sneaking in, taking out targets, gathering info and climbing about, parkour style. There’s a simple level tree, only granting you attack moves and special equipment, without the complexity of the large levelling trees seen in the recent AC titles. Reflected in the removal of enemy levels, all of them are the same level without the need for grinding to progress.
It feels cool to basically be able to go anywhere on the map, provided you're stealthy and skilled enough, without the nassle of being at the right level skill, and take down any enemy. Thrown in for extra challenge are some enemies with extra armour, but not a certain level.
This straightforward approach is further reflected in your equipment, armour and weapons upgrades too. Each one only has three levels to upgrade and there aren't tons of them. Gathering enough resources and owning the upgrade blueprint is the only requirement to quickly jump into a shop and upgrade. If you make sure you take all the side missions, don't worry there aren't that many, you'll have enough resources and ability points to upgrade everything you need on your playthrough.
Combat is simplified down to an attack and parry system, disregarding the advanced combat options of the later AC releases. There’s less clutter on the map too, with a clear handful of collectibles, a small number of side-missions and a bigger focus on the main story completion.
With a large, but manageable, Baghdad depicted in detail from its glory days of the 700th century, Mirage begins with the what seems like the story of Disney's Aladdin. With a streetwise boy working as a thief, then growing up and becoming tangled into serious matters. At one point he gets his hands on a strange artefact and is witness to the murder of a strange cult of member, resulting in the thief's guild being overrun and Basim having to flee the city.
This straightforward approach is further reflected in your equipment, armour and weapons upgrades too. Each one only has three levels to upgrade and there aren't tons of them. Gathering enough resources and owning the upgrade blueprint is the only requirement to quickly jump into a shop and upgrade. If you make sure you take all the side missions, don't worry there aren't that many, you'll have enough resources and ability points to upgrade everything you need on your playthrough.
Combat is simplified down to an attack and parry system, disregarding the advanced combat options of the later AC releases. There’s less clutter on the map too, with a clear handful of collectibles, a small number of side-missions and a bigger focus on the main story completion.
With a large, but manageable, Baghdad depicted in detail from its glory days of the 700th century, Mirage begins with the what seems like the story of Disney's Aladdin. With a streetwise boy working as a thief, then growing up and becoming tangled into serious matters. At one point he gets his hands on a strange artefact and is witness to the murder of a strange cult of member, resulting in the thief's guild being overrun and Basim having to flee the city.
Which in turn leads to Basim being headhunted by a group of assassins and trained in the way of a stealthy killer, to rid Bahgdad of the cult of bad guys and find out what the artefact does. With an overview screen containing clues of all the people Basim comes in contact with, which in turn unravels all the bad guys. It plays out much like the recent AC titles of cult leaders, albeit at a smaller scale.
Visually, Mirage retains the quality or performance toggle from Valhalla, allowing the player to choose full graphics settings for 4K@30fps or slightly lower ones in 60fps at a dynamic resolution. As usual, I opted for performance and personally couldn't see much difference in the two options anyhow. 60fps allows for smoother gameplay and that crucial responsiveness in the controls.
It’s a neat looking title for sure, truly shining the prettiest at nighttime and sunsets with amazing lighting. There's a lot of finesse to detail in crowded streets, masses of people, buildings and vegetation. However, it doesn’t bring the awe and diversity Odyssey and Valhalla depicted. Understandable, considering it’s single city location and what I suspect a more limited budget. That said, in inherits a lot of the established high-end quality from the previous titles and game engine!
Visually, Mirage retains the quality or performance toggle from Valhalla, allowing the player to choose full graphics settings for 4K@30fps or slightly lower ones in 60fps at a dynamic resolution. As usual, I opted for performance and personally couldn't see much difference in the two options anyhow. 60fps allows for smoother gameplay and that crucial responsiveness in the controls.
It’s a neat looking title for sure, truly shining the prettiest at nighttime and sunsets with amazing lighting. There's a lot of finesse to detail in crowded streets, masses of people, buildings and vegetation. However, it doesn’t bring the awe and diversity Odyssey and Valhalla depicted. Understandable, considering it’s single city location and what I suspect a more limited budget. That said, in inherits a lot of the established high-end quality from the previous titles and game engine!
The AC series still excels when it comes to depicting buzzing towns from ancient times though, with tons of small alleys to explore. Mirage manages to be more reminiscent of how the old AC titles used to be, with density over size in design. There are so many nooks and crannies everywhere!
There’s a handful of larger buildings, with a fair bit of interiors to explore, that impress too. Coming to mind as memorable is a library, bazaar and the main palace situated in the city centre. For those that enjoy a bit of countryside, there's a fairly large area to roam outside the city walls, although I found little of interest there personally.
At the end of the day, I feel a little torn. It hasn't made enough of an impact on me to be truly memorable, yet the playtime to completion is a welcome sight in the current times of massive 100 hour titles. It forced me to play the old-school style of stealth and parkour, which I found fun in it's 25 hour duration!
At the end of the day, I feel a little torn. It hasn't made enough of an impact on me to be truly memorable, yet the playtime to completion is a welcome sight in the current times of massive 100 hour titles. It forced me to play the old-school style of stealth and parkour, which I found fun in it's 25 hour duration!
While its downsizing might be a smart move when it comes to be being able to complete development quicker, I'm not sure a throwback to old-school AC will work over and over in multiple releases.
