Assassin’s Creed Mirage: An Intimate and Memorable Exploration of 9th Century Baghdad

A City Built for Parkour and Immersive Storytelling

Assassin’s Creed Mirage takes players back in time to the vibrant and technologically advanced city of 9th Century Baghdad. As the historical and cultural epicenter of the region, Baghdad during its Golden Age serves as the perfect backdrop for protagonist Basim Ibn Is’haq’s journey. Having had the opportunity to play over two hours of Assassin’s Creed Mirage at Ubisoft Bordeaux’s France-based office, I was pleasantly surprised by the game’s portrayal of the city.

In recent years, the Assassin’s Creed series has embraced open-world RPG gameplay, with titles like Assassin’s Creed Origins and Odyssey garnering much praise. However, I must admit that I didn’t find their respective cities as memorable as those in Assassin’s Creed II or Unity. These earlier games featured cities like Florence and Paris which were intricately designed and left a lasting impression. In Mirage, the majority of the action takes place within the walls of Baghdad, allowing players to truly immerse themselves in the city’s rich history and navigate its rooftops with the precision of an assassin.

For the first time in years, it feels like I will have the opportunity to know a city intimately, to learn its parkour paths, and to master movement across its streets and rooftops. This fresh approach aligns perfectly with the spiritual connection between Mirage and the original Assassin’s Creed game, as Mirage serves as a celebration of the franchise’s 15-year history. I had the chance to speak with Ubisoft Bordeaux about how they built Baghdad, particularly considering the city’s destruction during the Mongol invasion in 1258.

“It’s true, nothing’s really left,” acknowledges Mirage artistic director Jean-Luc Sala. “But at the same time, Baghdad was not the only city. There were some older cities around, like in Sumatra. We consulted expert historians and delved into writings documenting the Mongol invasion and previous travelers’ descriptions of Baghdad. Although we don’t have physical remnants of Golden Age Baghdad, there is plenty of literature on it that we drew inspiration from.”

Sala explains that the team focused on understanding the city’s essence through writings and historical accounts. While they may not have experienced 9th Century Baghdad firsthand, Sala and his team drew on their personal connections to the region to inform their creative decisions. Sala, who grew up near the Tigris River, describes Baghdad as a “paradise lost” and wanted to evoke the emotions and atmosphere that he remembers from that time. He expresses excitement about shedding new light on a city that is often overshadowed by its modern-day associations with war and media stereotypes.

Stephane Boudon, the creative director of Mirage, adds that they were determined to make Baghdad the centerpiece of the game from the beginning. The rich history of the city provided them with an abundance of material to create an immersive and authentic experience. By zeroing in on one city, the team could fully embrace the traditional Assassin’s Creed parkour mechanics, a decision that felt like a natural return to the roots of the series.

Building Baghdad in the game was no easy task, and Sala explains that the team focused on capturing the density of the city. Their previous project, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s Wrath of the Druids DLC, showcased vast landscapes in Ireland. However, honing in on a single city allowed them to prioritize the classic parkour gameplay that fans love. Sala describes the experience of creating Mirage’s Baghdad as a natural return of the Assassin’s Creed universe to a Middle Eastern setting, reminiscent of the game that started it all. The unique architecture and layout of Baghdad offer a nostalgic yet fresh feeling, reminiscent of Assassin’s Creed’s Jerusalem, while still maintaining its own distinct identity.

Having had the opportunity to play Mirage, I can confidently say that Ubisoft Bordeaux has succeeded in creating a lived-in and captivating rendition of Baghdad. The city is a joy to explore, and I am eager to delve further into its various districts, including the majestic Round City, home to a massive palace. The attention to detail in building Baghdad and the dedication to providing an authentic Middle Eastern setting showcase the team’s commitment to delivering a truly memorable and immersive experience.

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