Assassin’s Creed Mirage is dropping worldwide on October 12. According to Ubisoft, the upcoming game will be fully complete upon its release as the company has no plans to extend the story with any post-launch or downloadable content.
In a Reddit AMA with the AC Mirage team, the game’s creative director Stéphane Boudon confirmed no plans for any DLC or “extensive post-launch.” Boudon did not entirely shut down a potential DLC, which may depend on the game’s reception and sales. Still, this revelation aligns with Ubisoft’s intention to return to the series’ roots not only in terms of storytelling but also in the way this next installation is to be marketed and brought to audiences. The French developer previously described Mirage as a “tightly crafted experience” poised to conjure up the atmosphere of earlier entries in the franchise.
The similarities between this narrative-driven entry and past titles in the action-adventure series will extend to the overall playtime. Another party of the recent Reddit AMA, narrative director Sarah Beaulieu indicated that Mirage would be as lengthy as “the first AC games.” Whereas gamers could expect to beat Assassin’s Creed Odyssey in nearly 45 hours and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla in about 60 hours, Mirage will likely last between 15 and 25 hours.
It makes sense, thus, for the game’s story to be self-contained. But while Mirage will be significantly shorter than its direct predecessors, the upcoming game will still pack a lot of content. A callback to the series’ Middle Eastern origins, Mirage will send players parkouring through the streets and bazaars of 9th-century Baghdad. As CGMagazine has discussed, Ubisoft has collaborated with several institutions like the Institut du Monde Arabe and the Khalili Collections to bring Baghdad to life in both immersive and realistic fashion. An in-game codex, the “History of Baghdad” feature will provide players with expertly curated information on Baghdad’s art, culture, and history under the Abbasid Caliphate.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage might also feel like a breath of fresh air for long-time fans. Despite bringing back Master Assassin Basim Ibn Ishaq, whom players previously met in AC Valhalla, Mirage will take a sharp turn from the franchise’s recent open-world ventures to introduce a mere four explorable districts. The in-game depiction of Baghdad is reported to be much closer in size to Unity’s Paris and Revelations’ Constantinople, as opposed to the whopping 90.7 square miles of Odyssey’s map. In addition to Baghdad, the legendary Alamut Castle will make a comeback.
The next chapter in the Assassin’s Creed saga is also bound to focus on the series’ signature stealth and assassination mechanics rather than build upon the role-playing elements in recent entries. Gameplay-wise, this smaller-scale installment will bring back the Black Box missions introduced in AC Syndicate. Iconic functionalities like outfit dyeing and social stealth features will be reminiscent of past titles.
However, Ubisoft didn’t shy away from innovative new features. Partnering with gaming company Owo, the developer will allow players to feel like they’re physically entering the Animus through a state-of-the-art haptic bodysuit. If lingering rumours are to be believed, Mirage may also incorporate gambling minigames for the first time. Although Ubisoft has denied such claims, speculations have resurfaced after an updated Xbox store page mentioned paid contests and real gambling.
While gamers may have to wait until October for a definitive answer, AC fans willing to scratch that gambling itch might explore online casinos as an alternative. Platforms like CasinoReviews.com get newcomers started with free reviews and guidelines. Plus, experts have scoured the web to find the juiciest bonuses out there. First-timers can claim lofty welcome packages upon registering on a new casino, while seasoned players can take advantage of reload bonuses and cashback deals. Gamers may also make the most of free spins to enjoy various Middle-Eastern-themed pokies and video slots before journeying to Baghdad in October.
With the upcoming release of AC Mirage, die-hard fans of the franchise can expect to revisit the nostalgia of past titles in the series, only with ever-so-stunning graphics and ground-breaking technological features. And while there likely won’t be any DLC to complement Mirage, fans have many more AC games to look forward to. From a feudal Japan entry titled Assassin’s Creed Codename Red to Assassin’s Creed Hexe, a dark spin on the franchise set in 17th-century Europe plagued by witch trials, Ubisoft is reportedly working on up to eleven games.
