At the Ubisoft Forward event, we got the chance to attend a hands-off preview of Assassin’s Creed: Mirage. With about 20 minutes of gameplay, we saw Basim and the game return to the roots of the franchise. During the hands-off preview demo, it’s concept, returning to the past but with new dynamic elements to keep the game unique from the past.
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The roots they were specifically talking about were going back to a stealth approach to the game along with free-flowing parkour. They wanted players to feel like they were assassins again. It has been many years and many games since Assassin’s Creed has been a more stealth-focused game and with advancing technology, the team at Ubisoft really wanted to put all of that to use. With that in mind, here is everything we know about Assassin’s Creed Mirage from our hands-off preview.
Stealth is Important Again in Assassin’s Creed Mirage
One of the two main pillars of Assassin’s Creed Mirage is stealth and parkour. On the stealth side, this represents the largest pushback to the roots of where the iconic franchise came from. Stealth is baked into this game in a way that it is unavoidable and the crux of how you explore the world. However, if you’re not a stealthy player the developers made it more than clear that every objective will have a clear path towards completion. This goes into bringing back the hideaway places like bales of straw and even blending back into a crowd as they walk. The tools to complete the tasks have all been through and in doing so the team has been able to come back to the core loop so familiar to Assassin’s Creed fans.
Additionally, you’ll have your eagle Enkido to scout enemies, only when the newly added enemy Marksman isn’t in the area to keep him from flying. This adds a level of difficulty and strategy to your stealth. By removing the use of your eagle immediately, the developers task you with finding a stealth strategy on your own as you fly blind until the Marksman is eliminated.
Another new feature making its way into Assassin’s Creed Mirage is a skill that takes Basim’s speed and agility into account called Assassin’s Focus. When you have multiple targets you can perform a chained assassination to clear a room and hopefully not be noticed. That said, being able to plan how to use this chained assassination and the other five tools in your arsenal like the blow dart to put enemies to sleep, or the trap to poison enemies if they come too close all push the player towards a strategic thinking that values stealth above all else. In addition to the two I mentioned, you will also have smoke bombs, throwing knives, and sound bombs that will assist you in only taking on combat on your terms.
Parkour is the central traversal mechanic
Look, we all know that parkour in a game is important, and for Assassin’s Creed, it was one it’s defining features. As players, that investment in fast traversal and innovative use of platform elements will be central. The level design of the game invests deeply in vertical building. Meaning that as much as the streets have come alive, the developers have ensured that you can go up, as much as out. Scaling rooftops, exploring the heights that Baghdad has to offer.
In order to keep the gameplay fresh, the live demo showed the various layers of vertical scaling involved for Basim as you move through the world. His speed is key and there are creative ways you can see even just watching a developer play, that will keep the game fresh. Additionally, there a few iconic core traversal animations making their way back into Assassin’s Creed Mirage. This includes passovers and corner swings as well as the leap of faith.
The city reacts to Basim
With a Wanted System, the developers have pushed the player into understand the consequences of completing a contract while not stealthed and in doing so have worked to push combat itself as the last resort. While the directly plays into the pillar of Stealth for the game’s back to the roots focus, the Wanted system also adds a level of immersive gameplay to the experience. Additionally, you can bribe influential people to help bring down your infamy.
The importance of having a city that is reactive to your actions, can’t be overlooked. While Assassin’s Creed is built on stealthy missions, over its history, it’s also been about creative environments that are not just culturally representative but immersive. In addition to a reactive city, the game also features historical figures who are influential in this time period of Baghdad’s history as rebellion is beginning to stir.
But what about the assassinations?
In addition to the core story, there is a contract system in place that you engage with in Bureaus, safe houses the Brotherhood has set up around the city. When you take a contract you’re not progressing the story but you are putting yourself in a good position for rewards. You can assassinate, steal, or rescue objectives in these contracts and each one comes with an optional objective, like “take no damage.” While you don’t have to complete that objective, if you do, you’ll earn extra rewards.
One of the best elements that come into play with assassinations is the return of core assassination animations. While some are familiar fan favorites, others are new to this iteration of the franchise but it all comes together to craft an experience that holds true to going back to the roots of the franchise.
A coming-of-age narrative that explores the Brotherhood’s meaning
But in a game about assassinations, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is looking to expand the narrative to not just look at a time period that hasn’t been explored before in a new location, but also a time period in the protagonist’s life. Basim’s narrative is driven around growing from a cunning street rat to the best assassin in the Brotherhood’s ranks. However, that success comes with a price and in this game, the developers have said that we will investigate it. As Basim, you’ll explore the toll paid to be an assassin, who is controlling the Brotherhood’s justice, and his place in it all.
How Much Will Assassin’s Creed Mirage Cost?
The standard edition of Assassin’s Creed Mirage will be listed for $50 and the Deluxe Edition will be priced at $60 – with more information to come.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is slated to release October 12, 2023.
