While the gaming world buzzes with excitement about the potential reveal of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced at The Game Awards 2025, there exists a hidden gem in the franchise that deserves the spotlight! Could it be that the most authentic Assassin's Creed experience in years is about to become freely accessible to millions? PlayStation Plus subscribers are in for the treat of their lives when Assassin's Creed Mirage joins the service on December 16, 2025, offering a breathtaking journey back to the series' roots that modern RPG-heavy entries have largely abandoned.
️ A Return to Form in Ninth-Century Baghdad
Set during the vibrant Islamic Golden Age in 861 CE, Mirage serves as a prequel to Valhalla, focusing on the enigmatic Basim Ibn Ishaq. But forget everything you think you need to know about the modern AC games! This is a self-contained story that requires zero prior knowledge of the sprawling franchise mythology. Isn't it refreshing to play an Assassin's Creed game that actually focuses on... well, being an assassin?
What Makes Mirage Special? 🤔
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Compact World Design: Baghdad is intentionally smaller than the massive maps of Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, creating a dense, carefully crafted environment
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Stealth-First Gameplay: This isn't about charging into battles like a Viking warrior; Basim relies on cunning, infiltration, and subtlety
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Classic Mission Structure: Remember tailing missions? Information gathering? Proper assassination contracts? They're all back!
The Stealth Revolution We've Been Waiting For
In an era where every game seems to be transforming into a massive RPG, Mirage boldly stands as the single reprieve from this trend. Basim is no melee combat virtuoso like Eivor—he's a true assassin who must rely on shadows, planning, and precision. The gameplay loop has been praised as "giddily familiar" to the series' earliest entries, making longtime fans feel right at home.
Mission Types That Will Delight Classic Fans:
| Classic Element | Modern Implementation |
|---|---|
| Social Stealth | Blending with crowds and using environmental cover |
| Tailing Missions | Following targets through bustling city streets |
| Investigation | Gathering clues before executing the perfect assassination |
| Parkour | Fluid movement through tightly designed urban spaces |
🌟 Why PlayStation Plus Inclusion is a Game-Changer
Coming to PS Plus Extra and Premium tiers on December 16, Mirage will be accompanied by other notable titles like Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and Granblue Fantasy: Relink, but make no mistake—this is the crown jewel of the month's offerings. For anyone who bounced off the newer, bloated AC games, this is your chance to experience what made the franchise legendary in the first place.
The Perfect Entry Point for Newcomers:
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✅ No complex RPG systems to master
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✅ Self-contained story requiring no franchise knowledge
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✅ Reasonable 15-20 hour completion time
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✅ Focused narrative without hundreds of meaningless side quests
⚔️ How Does Mirage Compare to the Incoming Black Flag Remake?
While Black Flag represented the franchise's first major departure into true open-world exploration, Mirage represents a conscious return to what made the series special. Edward Kenway wasn't even an assassin for most of his game, while Basim embodies the brotherhood's core principles from start to finish. Isn't it ironic that the game looking backward is actually moving the franchise forward?
The storytelling around Mirage's connections to the wider series might be somewhat obtuse, but this barely detracts from the richly realized depiction of Baghdad during its golden age. For fans of the original Assassin's Creed and AC2, this isn't just a recommendation—it's an essential experience that captures the magic so many thought was lost forever.
The Verdict: Don't Sleep on This Masterpiece
As the gaming community obsesses over remake rumors, the truly revolutionary entry sits waiting to be discovered. Assassin's Creed Mirage isn't just another franchise entry—it's a love letter to everything that made us fall in love with the series originally. With its PS Plus availability making it accessible to millions, there's never been a better time to experience what might just be the most pure Assassin's Creed game since Ezio Auditore graced our screens.
So, will you be one of the enlightened few who discovers this gem, or will you let the hype trains pass you by? The choice is yours when December 16 arrives!