Assassin's Creed Mirage
" Engaging action-adventure with classic stealth and rich historical atmosphere but clunky combat "
Assassin's Creed Mirage Review
Assassin's Creed Mirage marks a deliberate return to the franchise's roots, emphasizing stealth, parkour, and a smaller, denser city environment set in 9th century Baghdad. Players appreciate the game's focus on classic Assassin gameplay, with satisfying stealth assassinations and a more compact, streamlined experience compared to recent sprawling RPG entries. The graphics are praised for their beauty and faithful recreation of Baghdad's atmosphere, with some calling it a visual masterpiece for the series.
However, the game receives mixed feedback regarding combat, which many find clunky, repetitive, and frustratingly difficult due to brief telegraph windows for enemy attacks. The story and characters are often described as forgettable or underdeveloped, with some players criticizing the writing quality and lack of depth. Technical issues and bugs are reported, though not universally. Overall, Mirage is seen as a solid but imperfect nostalgic experience, best suited for longtime fans craving a classic Assassin's Creed vibe without the RPG bloat.
Highlights
Players highly praise the return to classic stealth-focused gameplay and parkour mechanics, which feel fresh and engaging after recent RPG-heavy titles.
The detailed and atmospheric recreation of Baghdad is widely admired, with beautiful graphics and a rich cultural setting that enhances immersion.
The game's shorter length and focused narrative are appreciated for avoiding filler content and making the experience more accessible.
Many enjoy the story of Basim and the connections to Assassin's Creed Valhalla lore, finding it a compelling prequel.
Stealth assassinations and investigative missions provide satisfying gameplay loops reminiscent of early series entries.
Criticisms
Combat mechanics are frequently described as frustrating, with poor enemy AI, overly brief parry windows, and limited weapon variety reducing enjoyment.
Writing and story depth receive criticism for being bland, rushed, or filled with unnatural dialogue, leading some players to skip cutscenes.
Technical issues such as bugs, control glitches, and display setting resets detract from the experience.
The world, while visually impressive, is sometimes seen as lacking meaningful content or exploration incentives beyond the city.
Some players feel the game is too short and the narrative underdeveloped, making it less memorable compared to previous titles.
Pros
- • Return to classic stealth gameplay is refreshing and engaging for longtime fans.
- • Beautifully recreated Baghdad setting with rich cultural and historical atmosphere.
- • Compact, dense world design avoids filler and keeps gameplay focused.
- • Parkour mechanics improved and fun, enabling fluid movement across city rooftops.
- • Story provides interesting backstory for Basim and ties to Valhalla lore.
- • Stealth assassinations and investigative missions feel satisfying and strategic.
- • Game runs smoothly with fewer bugs than typical Ubisoft releases.
Cons
- • Combat is clunky, repetitive, and often frustrating due to quick parry prompts.
- • Enemy AI is poor, with guards being easily fooled or overly blind.
- • Story and dialogue are bland, unnatural, and sometimes boring.
- • Technical bugs and control issues disrupt gameplay flow.
- • Limited weapon variety and skill options reduce combat depth.
- • Map navigation and mission markers can be unclear or poorly indicated.
- • Short campaign length leaves some players wanting more content.
Rating Criteria
Become a deadly Master Assassin in this action-adventure game. Explore the streets of ninth-century Baghdad through the eyes of Basim. Take down your targets while seeking justice as part of the Hidden Ones.