Assassin’s Creed Shadows vs Mirage

For any accomplished gamer, the Assassin’s Creed series is no stranger. The series has provided an action-packed experience since its debut, always leaving players pining for more. You get everything, from bloody scenes to a deeply embedded history. Among the great titles in the series are Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and Assassin’s Creed: Mirage. Both titles embody the main aspects of the Assassin’s Creed series, such as stealth and parkour. However, they have different narratives and gaming experiences. Here’s a complete Assassin’s Creed Shadows vs Mirage comparison.

What is Assassin’s Creed Shadows? 

The title is a Ubisoft development that is highly anticipated in the action role-playing gaming world. It is set to release in November 2024 as the fourteenth edition of the Assassin’s Creed series. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in 16th-century Japan, featuring the end of the Sengoku period. The game is focused on the challenges facing the Assassin Brotherhood in their fight for peace and liberty against the Templar Order. Protagonists Naoe, a female shinobi, and Yasuke, an African samurai, dominate the game, allowing you to deal with the quests in many ways.

What is Assassin’s Creed Mirage?

As the thirteenth major installment in the Assassin’s Creed series, Mirage succeeds the story of its predecessor, Valhalla. It follows the narrative of Basim, a common street thief in the busy streets of 9th-century Baghdad. He becomes a Master Assassin despite his complicated destiny. Unlike those that came before it, the game’s main focus is stealth, parkour, and more direct assassinations. Moreover, it features a shorter play time of about 20 hours, making it the perfect fit for busy players.

Story

Let’s compare the stories between Assassin’s Creed Shadows vs Mirage.  Assassin’s Creed Shadows began in 1579, in the late period of Sengoku, during the civil war in Japan. It features protagonists Naoe, a shinobi assassin, and Yasuke, a samurai. Fujibayashi Nagato takes on the role of father to the fictional father Naoe, while Yasuke is based on a black samurai who lived in the 16th century. The protagonist’s paths intertwine when they find themselves on different sides of the war. Nobunaga leads the Oda clan, where Yasuke serves as a retainer in an invasion of the Iga. Naoe, on the other hand, is part of the Igan resistance under her father’s leadership.  

In the year 861, Mirage’s protagonist, Basim, evolves from a street thief to Baghdad’s most dangerous assassin. He accomplishes this after joining the Hidden Ones, where he receives guidance from master assassin Roshan. In Mirage, Baghdad is more vibrant and inhabited by individuals who react to all your moves. You can explore the fortress of Alamut, where the Hidden Ones reside.

Gameplay

Shadow features two protagonists, Yasuke and Nae, who showcase different battle styles. Yasuke applies heavier attack-style combat, while Naoe is more stealthy and sneaky. Depending on your mission, you will select the protagonist that suits your gameplay. Yasuke applies his kanabo, the weapon of the Oni in Japanese folklore, to exert heavy attacks. Alternatively, for quicker hacks, he swaps the kanabo for a katana. Naoe, on the other hand, employs her hidden retractable blade in battle. She also has a grappling hook to enhance her acrobatic prowess. Moreover, she can move underwater as a ploy to catch her enemies unaware.

Mirage employs better assassinations, parkour, and stealth in honor of the original Assassin’s Creed. You get to stalk your enemies, kill them, and retreat into the shadows without being detected.  Parkour opportunities are everywhere in the city of Baghdad. You can use them to your advantage while hunting enemies. Mirage has a more intimate map showcasing the different districts of Baghdad while still maintaining a focus on parkour.

Game Modes

The two protagonists in Shadows would have you believe the game features a coop game mode. However, the game is a single-player match. No coop or multiplayer mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows so far. Assassin’s Creed Mirage also features single-player action, just like other titles in the Assassin’s Creed series.

Features

Shadows follows an intricate system that showcases the cycles of the seasons through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The system enhances a living ecosystem by enhancing the realistic features of the world surrounding you. The game also offers ninja scrolls that unlock amazing combat skills. Each of the two protagonists has distinct skills but shares resources, weapons, and XP. Assassin’s Creed Shadows employs new light systems to enhance the light and shadows. The addition will be useful when battling your enemies, as it affects their vision.

You dive into a world with an intense experience as you follow through on Basim’s journey from thief to master assassin in Mirage. In your journey, you take part in assassinations and investigations using the multiple upgradeable weapons and tools available. Basim has an avian, that he uses to scout the surroundings. The game has employed a new feature that enables you to get rid of multiple enemies at a time called the Assassin Focus. Additionally, some poles help you cross over large stretches of land.

Platforms

Fans expect Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ official debut on November 15, 2024. The game will premiere on PC, PS5, PS4, Mac, and Xbox Series X|S. 

Assassin’s Creed Mirage debuted in 2023 on multiple platforms for PC. The title is also available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.

Verdict

Mirage mirrors multiple similar aspects of Assassin’s Creed’s older titles, making it perfect for players who are knee-deep into the series. On the other hand, Shadows has undergone reviews despite its official release and appears to be going back to the franchise format. The distinctive nature of the two titles allows them to provide you with an intense experience that will keep you trapped on your screen for hours.  However, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will most likely offer players the boost they’ve been looking for.

So, what’s your take on our Assassin’s Creed Shadows vs Mirage comparison? Which game do you think performs better? Let us know your thoughts here on our socials or down in the comments.