Summary
The recent launch ofAssassin’s Creed Miragewas a risk that has paid off for Ubisoft, with the title dialing things back compared to the expansive open-world mainline releases that the franchise has focused on in recent years. With the game still holding important narrative links to full-length mainline releases,Miragewas able to appeal to the classic gameplay beats of the IP’s roots to capture the best of both worlds.
This approach toAssassin’s Creed Miragewas also present in the recentLike a Dragon Gaiden, which itself was a smaller-scale release between more expansive projects. The success that both titles have brought to their respective franchises is a good indication of the benefits that these smaller releases possess, and this should be the way forward for future games across both IPs.
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Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Like a Dragon Gaiden Offer a Needed Break
Assassin’s Creed Miragetook a huge deviation from the usual formula of modernACgames, which are massive titles set in sprawling open worlds, often with a focus on layered RPG mechanics.Miragewent against the grain by returning to basics with its own experience, with a heavy focus on matching the gameplay of the first releases for the franchise.
Mirageoffers a much smaller world than the likes ofValhalla,Origins, andOdyssey, providing an excellent bite-sized experience in the downtime between the larger-scaled mainline projects ofAssassin’s Creed. This is best evidenced in the comparative time it takes to completeMiragecompared to the new open-world releases of the IP:
15 hours
61 hours
30 hours
45.5 hours
How Long to Beat
Not only doesMiragekeep theACcommunity engaged in the long wait for moredetailed projects likeAssassin’s Creed Red, but it also offers a much-needed reprise from the dominance of the franchise’s new open-world formula. The new identity ofAssassin’s Creedhas been quite a controversial change, andMirageis the perfect title for fans who are nostalgic about the classic experiences of the IP.
Like a Dragon Gaiden Has the Same Benefits as AC Mirage
The recent launch ofLike a Dragon Gaidenis quite comparable toMirage, with itself being a much more compact title compared to usualYakuza/Like a Dragongames. With fans already being quite restless inthe wait forLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth,Gaidenhas scratched an itch with a focus on one of the most iconic characters in the franchise, Kazuma Kiryu.
10 hours
46 hours
18.5 hours
The presence of Kiryu as the protagonist ofGaidenis somewhat comparable to Basim inMirage, with Basim having been previously established with a prominent role inValhalla. These direct links to other titles are the key to the success ofGaidenandMirage, with the games having important narratives despite clearly being more basic than fully-fledged mainline releases.
Smaller games likeMirageandGaidenare not constricted by the massive scales of usual titles, allowing for more intimate stories that would otherwise be overshadowed in a mainline project. While they should not be overused, it is clear that the contained narratives andfocus on classic gameplay withinGaidenandMirageshould be the way forward forLike a DragonandAssassin’s Creed.
Assassin’s Creed: Mirage
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as a cunning young street thief seeking answers in this majestic Middle Eastern open world. Experience the home of the original Assassins in this exciting new narrative-driven, open world adventure. 15 years since the first Assassin’s Creed redefined adventure, experience the franchises' trademark parkour and stealth like never before - in Assasin’s Creed Mirage. In this smaller scale, back to basics Assassin’s caper, you play Basim, a young street thief seeking answers. Roam the richly-detailed, reactive and vibrant streets of 9th century Baghdad, uncovering the mysteries of the past as you fight to secure your future. Stalk the shadows. Become the ultimate assassin.
