REVIEW: Assassin's Creed Mirage is a tepid return to basics 1p27j

Over the years, the franchise Assassin's Creed has undergone significant transformations in its approach. However, with The Mirage,, Ubisoft promised an exciting revival of the original essence that captivated thousands of fans. Was this return to roots well executed? w5r2e

O showmetech was one of the sites invited to take a deep dive into Assassin's Creed Mirage, then, see how the adventure of Basim, a character already known for his participation in ValhallaOh, if you do in this new game. And the best part: all content will be presented free of story spoilers, so read without worrying about what you can expect from the new release.

Interesting story! 5x1z

Assassin's Creed Mirage manages, masterfully, to redirect the spotlight to the most iconic aspects of the franchise: the killers. This is a victory that fans have been waiting for for a long time. The series, over the years, has walked vast and ambitious paths, flirting with mythologies, incarnated gods and a wide range of subplots which, although captivating to many, sometimes strayed far from the essence that made Assassin's Creed so special.

Em The Mirage,, we don't see mythical creatures emerging from the shadows or gods walking among mortals to spice up the narrative. A Ubisoft opted for a more sober and focused approach, which does not try to attract the curiosity of the player ionate about mythology, but rather with a deep and complex narrative. For those who missed this type of approach, less pompous and more rooted, the new game is a real delight.

Basim, the charismatic character who had already made a good impression on Assassin's Creed Valhalla, returns in this edition with an even stronger presence. In the last great Ubisoft, there were moments when he practically overshadowed Eivor, taking the lead. In The Mirage,, we have the opportunity to delve deeper into its plot and understand what shapes this cool character. Throughout the story, I was able to perceive nuances of his personality that make him multifaceted and truly human. It is no exaggeration to say that Basim has earned a place among the protagonists I liked most in the saga.

However, while The Mirage, gets it right in many aspects, it also has its stumbles. The franchise Assassin's Creed it is vast and full of intertwined stories. In its attempt to connect the dots and create a cohesive tapestry of events and characters, the game sometimes gets lost in its own complexity. There are moments when the plot seems to try to embrace too much, resulting in confusing or unnecessary sections.

This leads us to ponder the future of the franchise. A Ubisoft has always demonstrated an ability to create rich worlds and captivating characters, and the plot of Assassin's Creed, at its core, has always been fascinating. However, it may be time for the company to consider a small reboot. Not to discard everything that was built, but to organize, refine and focus. Over the years, the universe of Assassin's Creed it has grown exponentially and sometimes less is more. One reboot, taking what has worked over the years, would be an excellent opportunity to reflect on what is important and give it a new lease of life.

Good ambiance! 5q6x

A Ubisoft has always stood out in creating historical scenarios, and in Assassin's Creed Mirage, this standard of excellence remains evident. Baghdad, the game's central city, is visually stunning. Every detail, from the buildings to the busy streets, was done with care, reflecting the company's dedication to faithfully reproducing the atmosphere of the time.

But what really attracts attention in Baghdad is not just the look. As we explore the city, you can hear Arabic conversations coming from every corner. This adds an extra layer of realism to the environment. Of course, for many players this can be a challenge, as not understanding what is being said can feel like a break in the immersive gaming experience.

However, I see this choice to keep Arabic in some dialogues between NPCs as a smart move by Ubisoft. Even if we don't understand the exact words, the simple presence of the language creates a feeling of actually being there, in Baghdad. After all, if we were visiting a foreign city in real life, it is very likely that we would hear conversations in the local language, even without understanding the content.

Gameplay flirts with the new and the old 672y2z

The gameplay of Assassin's Creed Mirage It represents, in many ways, a triumphant return to the series' roots. The franchise, which once focused heavily on stealth, had moved away from such a focus in its most recent releases – with Eivor or Kassandra being true warriors and fighting machines.

However, in The Mirage,, we see the rekindling of this flame. The emphasis on stealth and silent assassinations is clearly noticeable, and for a player who, like me, spent countless hours moving in the shadows with Ezio Auditore in the legendary Assassin's Creed 2, this is cause for celebration.

There are several opportunities to use stealth to overcome challenges and eliminate targets without being detected. The feeling of silently approaching an enemy, observing, and then carrying out an assassination is something that has always defined Assassin's Creed for many of his fans. However, not everything is rosy. At times, the game's artificial intelligence leaves something to be desired. There have been situations where I was able to eliminate a target with others clearly within visual range and my action went unnoticed. While this can be beneficial to the player, it also takes away some of the challenge and reality of the setting.

Combat intertwined with RPGs 5365h

Regarding combat, The Mirage, it still seems to be anchored in elements introduced in the most recent titles in the franchise. The focus on RPG remains evident and, at certain moments, the abundance of enemies spread across the map makes direct confrontation almost inevitable. Although there is room for stealth, there are situations where a fight is almost certain. And at this point, the battle turns out to be somewhat simplistic.

When you master the combat mechanisms, you realize that it is often enough to block an enemy attack to then execute a fatal blow. This happens even when the enemy still has almost full health. The ease in executing these maneuvers can make fights predictable and reduce the challenge, particularly for more experienced players. However, it also serves to show what a skilled combatant Basim is.

Parkour is cool 25634w

O parkour has always been one of the main attractions of the franchise Assassin's Creed. It was a mechanic that set the game apart from many other titles and offered a unique feeling of freedom and fluidity, whether you were jumping around the buildings of Italy or the buildings of . In more recent games, this feature has, unfortunately, been relegated to the background. However, in The Mirage,, parkour returns with force.

It's refreshing to see that the character moves through buildings and structures with the dexterity that marked the first games in the series. However, even with this welcome return, there are issues that deserve attention. Sometimes Basim doesn't respond appropriately to the commands we give. There are times when, when trying to climb a structure, he ends up jumping into the void. These small setbacks, although frustrating, are not enough to overshadow the joy of seeing the parkour resume its prominent place in the series.

Reduced skill tree 3j286t

Em The Mirage,, the commitment of the Ubisoft to be more “down to earth”. The skill tree of Basim, our protagonist, is decidedly leaner. Rather than getting lost in a sea of ​​options — a criticism often leveled against Valhalla — the player is faced with more direct and concise choices. This simpler approach comes with many merits: it prevents the player from feeling drowned in improving the numerical aspects of their character and allows them to focus more on the narrative and core gameplay without being constantly distracted by micro decisions about progression.

However, the decision of the Ubisoft simplifying also raises an interesting question: could they have gone further? In an era where many titles are reevaluating or even abandoning traditional skill systems, a part of me wonders if Mirage could have benefited from an even more radical approach. Maybe the Ubisoft could have considered eliminating the skill tree, opting for a system more integrated with the narrative or exploration of the world – as was the case with the first protagonists of the story.

However, it is undeniable that reducing options represents an improvement. For many, Valhalla it became almost a chore, with players having to weigh countless skill options that ultimately had marginal impacts on the actual gameplay experience. In The Mirage,, this overhead was reduced, making the progression process more palpable and less intimidating.

For players who prioritize immersion in the game's story and overall experience, the simplified skill tree is a welcome addition. You avoid the feeling of playing two games in one: the main one, which involves narrative and exploration, and the secondary one, which becomes a constant analysis and reanalysis of the character's progression.

Investigation system 3k1a2n

There is a feeling of nostalgia when we enter the world of Assassin's Creed: Mirage. For long-time fans of the series, it is impossible not to notice the addition of the investigation system, similar to those in the first games. It's a time travel that takes us back to the era of Altair, the master assassin, where investigating and gathering information on targets was crucial to the success of missions.

The meticulous process of investigation had, in some subsequent titles, been put on the back burner in favor of more linear, action-focused narratives. However, The Mirage, makes a triumphant return to the heart of what made Assassin's Creed such an innovative and engaging franchise. The player is, once again, challenged to be meticulous, observant and strategic.

In this title, Basim, the protagonist, is not just facing opponents in direct combat. He is immersed in a complex and intricate world of intrigue and conspiracy, where the Order he seeks to dismantle is deeply rooted in Baghdad. To discover the true extent of his influence and locate the Order's commanders, the player needs to follow clues, collect information and, occasionally, decipher riddles.

This spider web, created by the developers, adds impressive narrative depth to the game. Each clue the player finds is not only a step closer to the target, but also reveals more about the rich history and context in which Basim operates. He has to play the role of a true detective, often opting for stealthy approaches and using wits instead of the sword.

Ubisoft could leave the eagle mechanic aside 482a1z

Despite having a particular affection for Assassin's Creeds older games, especially due to their atmosphere and engaging narrative, I have always maintained an open stance towards more recent titles, which explore the RPG genre. These, even though they diverged from certain elements that constituted the original essence of the series, were still engaging games. However, one aspect in particular always bothered me: the introduction of drone or bird mechanics to identify the location of opponents.

Even though in other games in Ubisoft, especially the more contemporary ones, the idea of ​​using creatures or aerial devices to map the terrain proves to be valid, its implementation in Assassin's Creed seemed out of place. Since it was introduced, this feature has never really fit into the context of the series. The Mirage,, the latest release, is unfortunately no exception.

The use of the bird, in particular, has its setbacks. Although it is an optional mechanic in much of the gameplay, there are times, especially in the main missions, when its invocation becomes mandatory. This not only breaks immersion, but can also disrupt the rhythm of the game, especially when we take into that the series already had a well-established resource for discovery and tracking: Eagle Vision. The coexistence of two tools with similar purposes seems redundant, an unnecessary consumption of resources.

Furthermore, the ability to identify opponents and points of interest with such ease can reduce the need for organic exploration of the map. Stealth, a central feature of the game, becomes much more intriguing and challenging when there is uncertainty about what awaits us. When we don't know the exact number of enemies lurking or the precise location of valuable objects, we are compelled to be more cautious, to plan each move better and to truly immerse ourselves in the experience of being an assassin hidden in the shadows. In short, while the Ubisoft may have found success with such mechanics in other titles, its incorporation into Assassin's Creed, for me, dilutes some of the magic of the series.

Assassin's Creed graphics 1f1f4b

Before commenting on the graphs of Assassin's Creed, it is important to highlight that the game is being released for both the most recent generation of consoles on the market and the old one. There are two realities with hardware different and deg a large title to be compatible with both technologies is a colossal task.

This duality can restrict the exploitation of the maximum potential that new hardware offers. For the game to work on older systems, it is necessary to limit the complexity and depth of the graphics, preventing them from reaching a level where we look at the big releases and think “this is really a game worthy of the new consoles”.

For example, upon entering our journey through Baghdad in Assassin's Creed Mirage, we can expect pleasant landscapes, well-crafted main character models and an atmosphere consistent with the universe Assassin's Creed. However, it is not a visual spectacle. Comparing it with some of the other AAA titles released exclusively for the new generation, it is clear that the scenarios of the new game from Ubisoft They are beautiful, but far from spectacular. Unfortunately, we are still a little far from what PlayStation 5 and Series S | X can bear.

The dilemma of needing to serve both generations is understandable, given that there is a large player base still active on these older systems, and exclusivity of titles for the new generation may seem like a commercially risky decision. However, perhaps the time has come for developers to consider focusing exclusively on new hardware, allowing games to reach their full visual and technical potential.

Requirements to play AC: Mirage 3n4m4q

MINIMUM (1080p, 30FPS)	RECOMMENDED (1080p, 60FPS)
Operational system: Windows 10, Windows 11 (64-bit versions)	Operational system: Windows 10, Windows 11 (64-bit versions)
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 1600 @ 3.2 GHz, Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.4 GHz (Intel Core i5-8400 @ 4.0 GHz for Intel Arc with ReBAR)	Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 @ 4.2 GHz, Intel Core i7-8700K @ 4.6 GHz
Memory: 8 GB (Installed in Dual-Channel)	Memory: 16 GB RAM (installed in Dual-Channel)
Video card: AMD Radeon RX 570 (4GB), Intel Arc A380 (6GB), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB) or better	Video card: AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (6GB), Intel Arc A750 (8GB), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti (6GB)
DirectX:  12 Version	DirectX: 12 Version
Storage: 40GB of available space (SSD recommended)	Storage: 40GB of available space (SSD recommended)

Price and availability 1s705x

Assassin's Creed Mirage will be released for all players on October 5th, for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X. If you are interested in purchasing the game for your computer, you can purchase it for R$ 209,99 in its base version at Epic Games or the package Deluxe for R$249,99, it is worth ing that the game, in principle, will not be released on Steam.

For the Sony console versions, the prices are R$239,90 for Assassin's Creed Mirage alone or R$299,90 for its enhanced version on PlayStation Store. When purchasing the game, you will be able to play it on either PlayStation 4 or 5 without paying additional amounts.

The same values ​​are available in Microsoft Store, where it will be possible to purchase the game for Xbox consoles for R$239,90 or R$299,90. The Deluxe version of the game comes with clothes and weapons inspired by Prince of Persia, as well as skins for the eagle, mount and digital collectibles.

Conclusion 60664y

Assassin's Creed Mirage It's an experience that mixes fun and nostalgia, especially for those who have been following the series since its first chapters. Walking through its settings and reliving certain moments brings back memories of the golden era of Assassin's Creed, a sentiment that any longtime fan will certainly cherish. A Ubisoft showed sensitivity by understanding the scope of the project and opting for a more affordable price, a decision that will certainly entice many players to give the title a chance.

However, the game is not without flaws. At certain points, there is a palpable feeling that the game gets tangled up in its own mechanics, occasionally deviating from what makes it genuinely special, but without overshadowing its potential. Furthermore, Basim's trajectory, full of nuances and twists, could very well signal the beginning of a recovery for one of the most emblematic stealth franchises in the world of video games.

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Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim (3 / 10 / 23)