Today is the release date of Assassin's Creed Mirage, and just a few hours into the game, there are already features that can easily be spotted and appreciated. From being able to pet cats to cool finishers, here are reasons why you should try the game out.
1. A Combination of Odyssey, Origins, and Valhalla
If you've played the three mentioned Assassin's Creed titles before Mirage, you'll see a couple of familiar game interactions, mechanics, and environments in the game. Ubisoft technically took all the good qualities of the previous titles and poured them into the latest one.
For instance, you'll also find brittle walls that can be broken down using vases full of oil, which you'll find in Valhalla and Odyssey. You'll also find the glowing indicators in the environment to see where certain important locations are like it does in the Viking-themed game.
2. Combat
Basim has a lot of weapons and tools in his arsenal including a dagger, a sword, throwing knives, and other utilities that will help you get an edge in a fight or infiltration. You'll get your pick of Batman-like utilities like smoke bombs, poison darts, and even proximity bombs.
I observed that there are also a couple of variations in finishers when the protagonist beats the enemies. Unlike the other titles though, you can parry but not block attacks from enemies, meaning that you can't continuously shield yourself even with light attacks.
3. Many Ways to Stay Undetected
When Ubisoft said that Mirage was a way for the franchise to go back to its roots, they weren't kidding. While it's not totally like the old games, you'll spot certain interactions that would remind you of even the earliest games with Altair as the main character.
Like the first titles, there are booths where you can hide when you escape your pursuers. You can hide bodies there too, if you need it. Mirage also has a "wanted level" similar to Odyssey where Kassandra or Alexios will increase the bar for every crime they commit.
In the Greek-based game, you can wait out the bounty, kill your hunters, or pay for it. In Assassin's Creed Mirage, you'll be able to find wanted posters indicated on the map and rip them off to reduce the heat on you.
4. Attention to Detail
One of the selling points of the game is that it's set in the golden age of Baghdad where the scenery and architecture are something to behold. It actually is impressive compared to Origins, which is set in Ancient Egypt with both being surrounded by the desert.
The graphics are amazing, and I especially appreciate that my settings are at their highest using a mid-tier gaming PC and it hasn't caught fire yet. Odyssey had solid ground most of the time so you'll see tracks that much, but you will in Mirage around the sandy areas outside the city.
5. Convenient Abilities
Since you'll be interacting with a lot of objects and people, it really is helpful that they brought back Eagle Vision, which lets you detect enemies, allies, NPC interactions, loot, and people who are carrying coin purses to you can pickpocket them.
And yes, there is pickpocketing in the game, which makes it easier to earn in-game money for things like clothes, weapons, mounts, and more. The the last three titles before Mirage, you also have a flying companion named Enkidu which will help you look for objective locations and scout ahead.
