Shaun Savage
Story Highlights
- The Art Director and Creative Director of Assassin’s Creed Mirage provide an in-depth walkthrough of the game’s recent trailer, focusing on the setting, stealth, and combat mechanics.
- The game is set in ninth-century Baghdad and introduces a variety of tools and a contract board system for side faction assignments.
- The developers highlight the reintroduction of several iconic Assassin’s Creed elements like Eagle Vision, along with new features like vision cones, Assassin’s Focus, and an improved tool selection wheel.
Stepping into Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Art Director Jean-Luc Sala and Creative Director Stéphane Boudon recently provided a detailed breakdown of the latest Assassin’s Creed Mirage trailer. Set against the backdrop of ninth-century Baghdad, the game introduces the character of Basim, who finds himself navigating the sun-drenched, garden-rich streets of the vibrant city.
The walkthrough highlighted Basim’s journey back to the bureau, where he encounters a target and subsequently the Caliphal Guard, the game’s primary enemies. Basim’s character, being a glass-cannon archetype, is encouraged to flee and vanish when faced with adversity.
Gameplay Elements and Features
The game showcases several key features and gameplay elements, such as scaffolding for escape routes and corner swings reminiscent of the original Assassin’s Creed games. An intriguing detail in Mirage’s world is the Assassin’s Crest-marked carpets, which signal the proximity to a secret entrance to an Assassin’s bureau.
In a scene where Basim returns from an assignment, players are introduced to the character of Abu Jafar, a historical figure who supplies Basim with important tools for his missions. The tools, unlockable through rank advancements and upgradeable through a skill tree, can be customized to suit different playstyles.
Side Missions and Visual Aesthetics
Assassin’s Creed Mirage also introduces a contract board system, featuring side faction assignments each with their own specific Contractor Requests. Players can complete these for various rewards, such as materials for gear and tokens to unlock new mission opportunities.
The game’s visual aesthetics are another focus in the walkthrough, with the developers aiming for a natural beauty in lighting that offers stunning views of the city at different times of the day. The use of lighting was particularly important to the development team, as it aids in providing an authentic Middle Eastern ambience.
Stealth and Combat
Stealth mechanics play a pivotal role in Assassin’s Creed Mirage. The iconic Eagle Vision returns to help players strategize their infiltrations, and vision cones are introduced to enhance this mechanic. The game also reintroduces the concept of social stealth, allowing players to blend in with groups and even bribe merchants to create patrol blending opportunities.
Combat in the game offers quick tool changes via an immersive wheel that slows down time, allowing players to effectively react to varying situations. Several tools and abilities are showcased in the walkthrough, such as a noisemaker, a red smoke bomb, and the new Assassin’s Focus ability. This new feature enables Basim to chain assassinations swiftly but requires the execution of stealth kills to refill the gauge.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is set to release on October 12th.
