Since 2017’s Assassin’s Creed Origins, Ubisoft has continued to expand the open-world possibilities of its marquee franchise. While this push for more was well-received by fans, the lack of focus on the principles of Assassin’s Creed made the series what it is today: parkour, stealth and assassination. Wanting to celebrate 15 years of Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft Bordeaux created Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the first in years that you can beat in under 80 hours.
Through its approximately 15-hour story, players will control Basim Ibn Ishaq, who we first saw as a lead character in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, in a coming-of-age story that sheds light on the secret period of the Hidden Ones Order. Its story left us wanting more of it, especially with its anti-climactic and abrupt ending, exploring the singular city of Baghdad using parkour and stealth was a treat. Gone are extended battle sequences, RPG mechanics, tiered loot, and sprawling adventures across entire lands; In its place, it’s a slim reminder of where Assassin’s Creed began as a franchise, and even if Mirage’s overall depth is less than we’d hoped, it’s something special to begin with.