We've seen several Assassin's Creed titles over the years, and they're not exactly released in chronological order. Regardless, they serve as bits and pieces that complete the entire lore of the franchise. With the latest release, you might wonder what its importance is in the franchise. Just a warning, there will be spoilers ahead.
Who is Basim Ibn Ishaq?
Before we dive into the rich lore of the Assassin's Creed franchise and what Mirage has to do with it, you need to know about the protagonist in the latest release first. If you have played AC Valhalla, then you're already familiar with who he is.
It was revealed that he was actually Loki, just as Eivor was the reincarnation of Odin and Sigurd was Tyr. That means that the Basim is a Sage, which is a human who would inherit the original Isu's memories as they are reincarnated.
By the end of the game, we realize that Basim is actually the antagonist in the story, and aims to kill Eivor since he/she is the reincarnation of Odin, the one who kept him from his son, Fenrir. This could be a reason why it's a little hard to connect with the character in Mirage.
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How Important is Mirage in the Lore?
For one, it explains the origins of Basim before he decided to find and meet the Sage whom Odin's memories were passed on. Just like Eivor, Basim didn't know who he was at first before he encountered one of the ancient machines built by the Isu.
He was guided by a friend, Nehal, who we realized at the end of the game was a figment of his imagination. So really, it was just him trying to lead himself to the truth so he can finally be who he really is, which is Loki.
In terms of the timeline, AC Mirage happened 11 years before AC Valhalla, but also after AC Origins. In a way, it serves as both a sequel to how Basim came to be who he is as he was tortured by thoughts that were caused by Loki, as well as a way to show what's ahead.
It's the kind of game that makes sense of the other factors in the franchise. However, it does not contribute as much to the lore compared to how Odyssey or Origins did. Both are, after all, an explanation of how important elements in the game began.
Origins showed us how the Hidden Ones started out, which was with Bayek and Aya avenging their son's death caused by the Order of the Ancients. Basim's importance is yet to be seen since AC Valhalla kind of ended with the potential to expand his story.
Since he was freed from the machine he was suspended on that somewhat preserved his body, he managed to get the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus which like it did with Kassandra and Pythagoras, allowed him to live beyond his years.
That means that not only is Basim running around in modern times, even sporting a hoodie, but he has the ability to influence the modern state of the Templars and the Brotherhood of Assassins as well.
