Ubisoft surprises players by enriching Assassin’s Creed Mirage with a major, free update, two years after its initial release. Available since November 18, this version 1.1.0 introduces additional scripted content called “The Valley of Memory”, a DLC which offers fans the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the hero Basim, in a brand new playable region.
This expansion precedes the events of the main story and begins as Basim hears rumors that his long-lost father may still be alive. Guided by an old friend, Dervis, he then travels to AlUla, a land of secrets, ancient ruins and vibrant oases. To activate the DLC, players must first begin the quest “The Serpent’s Head”, which opens access to this new region.
A huge new territory to explore: AlUla
Located at the crossroads of civilizations during the golden age of the Abbasid Empire, AlUla is divided into two large distinct zones: the Land of the Dead to the north and the Land of the Living to the south. Each offers unique visual atmospheres and specific missions. Ubisoft promises several hours of additional gameplay with the return of known side activities, such as contracts or world events, but also new original mechanics.
Among these, a quest called “Stolen Goods” allows Basim to recover secret cards by stealing from bandits. Even more surprising, “Mélodies d’Oud” invites players to collect musical themes via parkour courses, like the sea shanties of Assassin’s Creed IV. Once collected, these pieces can be played in different locations around the world, adding a welcome contemplative touch to the adventure.
An update designed for old and new players
Beyond the DLC, Ubisoft listened to feedback from the community. Update 1.1.0 significantly improves gameplay, starting with parkour. It is now possible to jump freely or perform side ejections even when there are no grab points. New, more modern control presets are also available.
Another highly anticipated addition: the replayability of main missions and contracts. As Ubisoft announced, main missions and contracts can now be replayed! This system, called “Animus Sequences”, introduces new challenges to complete to unlock rewards such as Animus mods, which automatically recharge your tools or Assassin Focus.
For the most daring: two levels of extreme difficulty
Ubisoft also introduced two new difficulties: “Hardened Assassin”, intermediate, and “Ultimate Assassin”, the most difficult mode ever offered. Each mode includes exclusive rewards if you manage to complete the adventure in permadeath mode. For players wanting a personalized experience, a “Custom Difficulty” preset has also been added.
Finally, tools can now be upgraded to level 3. At this point, knives become explosive, smoke bombs turn into acid, and traps cause enemies to go mad. An update that profoundly changes the way we approach infiltration.
Other notable new features include an AlUla-specific pickpocket system, an enriched skill tree, a redesign of quest icons, an improvement to the fame system, and a better feel during light attacks. The fast travel button between Baghdad and AlUla has also been added for easier navigation. Ubisoft humorously concludes the announcement of certain aiming aids by adding: now you have no more excuses…