Assassin’s Creed Mirage is available free to PS Plus Extra and Premium subscribers. A godsend for all those who hesitated to buy it when it came out. And the most surprising thing is that this game, long criticized for its classicism, is starting to appeal.
On Reddit, numerous testimonies speak of a change in perception. User Ranccor says he was “pleasantly surprised” and adds that Mirage is “my favorite game of this month.” Like him, several players discover a more intimate episode, centered on infiltration, a thousand miles from the XXL open worlds of previous opuses.
Mirage, the discreet jewel of the Assassin’s Creed saga?
Mirage has long been seen as a “minor” episode of the franchise. However, as it rolls out to PS Plus subscribers, the feedback changes. “Mirage is also considered a little-known gem of the series, which renews the formula in a way that will delight many players.”
The game, centered on Basim in Baghdad, offers a shorter, but denser experience. Fewer useless quests, more focus on stealth mechanics: a return to basics that is becoming more and more popular. It is perhaps this newfound simplicity which makes it, against all expectations, a late success.
An imperfect game… but captivating in its format
Professional critics had highlighted the weaknesses of the title upon its release, without ignoring its qualities. Kyle Gratton, journalist at Screen Rant, sums up this ambivalence: “Assassin’s Creed Mirage is a game that is singularly captivating and refreshing in its limited setting, [mais] “The show’s boring tendencies return, turning key elements of its storyline into futile distractions that obscure its true strengths.”
Where some saw a flaw, others discovered a strength: Mirage does not seek to do too much, but to do well. This is undoubtedly what explains the current positive word of mouth.
A great opportunity to rediscover the license for free
With 13 titles from the saga available in the PS Plus catalog, Ubisoft seems to be banking on nostalgia and rediscovery. Assassin’s Creed Mirage is the perfect example. “Don’t let the mixed reviews deter you from trying Assassin’s Creed Mirage: this title clearly stands out from the franchise in its gameplay and storyline.”
The more linear experience, the richly recreated universe of Baghdad, and the fluidity of the infiltration phases give Mirage a legitimacy that it perhaps did not have at launch. A late, but deserved, rehabilitation.