All confirmed features for Assassin’s Creed Mirage so far
More franchises have dabbled in mythological history in recent years, and Assassin’s Creed has become one of the pioneers of the genre with its iconic titles Valhalla and Odyssey drawing on Viking and Spartan lore, respectively. However, that direction hasn’t done much to follow in the footsteps of what made the franchise a household name in the first place, and with gamers growing weary of the new RPG-focused dynamic, Assassin’s Creed Mirage heralds a much-needed reset. Ubisoft’s decision to put its stock in tactical assassinations and old-fashioned espionage resonated with the fan base. With the announcement of new features, excitement is rapidly building to see what Assassin’s Creed Mirage has in store.
Assassin’s Creed titles have high standards to hold, given the groundbreaking successes of the early games. After lukewarm reviews of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, it was clear that Ubisoft needed to take the franchise in another direction to sustain its glory. Mirage, by all appearances, is set to give fans what they want, albeit with some new twists on its traditional gameplay mechanics. As the latest installment prepares to take players to the streets of Baghdad in 9th century Iraq, Mirage promises to be an intriguing experience.
Stealth and movement mechanics take center stage in Mirage
Emphasis on stealth and parkour Upgradable Assassination Tools Eagle Companion Enkidu Assassination Target with Eagle Sight Enhanced AI History of Baghdad Education/Awareness Feature
Historically, parkour has been a defining feature of Assassin’s Creed, and the dynamic is being overhauled for Mirage, with new protagonist Basim able to dash through buildings at high speed. Assassin’s Creed Mirage’s map is dotted with large obstacles and gaps between its infrastructure, and players can climb over these impediments with a pole vault. The emphasis on fast spatial navigation is evident, with the return of the iconic corner movement from early Assassin’s Creed titles and Ubisoft equipping Basim with new animations that make players move faster than in previous versions.
The assassination feature is also being brushed up, showing off upgradable Assassin Tools, traps, and tracking targets across rooftops and blending in with the crowd. Additionally, Eagle Vision allows Basim to tag multiple enemies for chain murder, borrowing the Mark and Execute feature from Splinter Cell Blacklist. However, using Enkidu – Mirage’s eagle companion – does not come without its risks, as he is no longer untouchable like his predecessors and can be hurled from the skies by Basim’s enemies, so players need to scout bases faster or navigate solo. , allowing for higher stakes gameplay.
While Ubisoft has focused its focus on movement and assassination, there are also some other notable changes coming to Assassin’s Creed Mirage. NPCs in the franchise’s early games detected players with incredible ease, and Mirage’s improved AI detection challenges players’ stealth skills. Basim can be spotted from greater distances, and this mechanic requires better in-game strategies to lure enemies in for elimination. Likewise, Assassin’s Creed’s basic Leap of Faith move is also undergoing some changes for Mirage, as it’s no longer a cheat code for jumping on haystacks. Baghdad’s spearmen occasionally poke at these hiding places, forcing Basim out of his haven and exposing him.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage’s improved stealth mechanics want players to find creative ways to hide and execute missions, and players will get the help they need through tools. Among them, the detection mine is a new item that can obscure the gunsmiths’ vision and send them to the ground, so Basim can use the tool to escape a pinch or cause chaos during the attack. Along with the gameplay improvements, Ubisoft is also introducing the History of Baghdad feature to educate players with historical facts about items, locations and events that Basim will discover along his journey in Assassin’s Creed Mirage. There’s a lot for players to look forward to in the new title, and Mirage could put the franchise’s trajectory back on track.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is set to release on October 12th for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.