Assassin's Creed Mirage: Unveiling Basim's Intriguing Evolution Beyond Valhalla

Highlights

Ubisoft is taking a risk by turning the main villain of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Basim, into the protagonist of Assassin's Creed Mirage.

Mirage, set in Bagdad two decades prior to the events of Valhalla, serves as a prequel and centers around a younger incarnation of Basim. It unveils Basim's transformation from a street thief to an adept assassin, granting players the opportunity to delve into his origins, comprehend his driving forces, and ultimately witness his path towards becoming a villain.

Fans of the Assassin's Creed franchise will recognize Basim as the main villain in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. However, Ubisoft surprised fans by revealing that Basim would be the protagonist in the upcoming Assassin's Creed Mirage. While Basim was a notable character in Valhalla, it is unusual for a series to focus on a villainous character. Since players have already seen the end of Basim's story, it seems unnecessary to revisit his narrative in his own game.

Despite the Assassin's Creed series incorporating time travel and other science-fiction elements, the developers have confirmed that Assassin's Creed: Mirage will be a prequel to Valhalla. The game will be set in Bagdad, twenty years prior to the events of Valhalla. This means that players will have the opportunity to witness a different version of Basim Ibn Ishaq compared to the one portrayed in Valhalla.

8 His Beginnings Are Familiar

In order to make fans sympathetic towards a character known to be a villain, developers must provide Basim with a compelling backstory. Just like with Ezio in the previous Assassin's Creed games, Basim will begin his journey from humble origins before evolving into a skilled assassin for the Hidden Ones.

Already disclosed by the developers, Basim embarked on his path by starting out as a mere street thief prior to his entry into the mysterious realm of assassins. The hope is that this challenging beginning will assist players in comprehending his motivations at a later stage, when he ultimately decides to embrace his villainous side.

7 Basim Is An Experiment

Basim is not an experiment where his character will suffer a torture similar to Weapon X. The unique aspect of Assassin's Creed Mirage is that it is the first time Ubisoft introduces a villain from the franchise as a playable protagonist.

This represents uncharted territory for the developer, as they now have the opportunity to delve into Basim's younger self. Consequently, there is a possibility that this concept may encounter difficulties. Should there be any inconsistencies between Mirage and Valhalla, fans need not worry. It is only natural for new ideas to face initial challenges.

6 Naivety

By the time players encounter Basim in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, he has already achieved the esteemed position of master assassin. This is likely the reason why his boss battle proves to be exceptionally challenging. However, attaining such a rank is no small feat.

When fans delve into the world of Assassin's Creed Mirage, they will witness Basim's initial exposure to the Hidden Ones. Consequently, this revelation inevitably leads to the protagonist offering some inexperienced observations. Players may witness Basim grappling with the usage of his concealed blade, a departure from his usual role as the deliverer of lethal blows.

5 Tragedy

Luckily, developers can save time by not elaborating on Basim's tragic life in Assassin's Creed Mirage. Players are already aware that he will undergo a transformation to the dark side, so the narrative can explore this concept. As fans grow attached to Basim, the story can manipulate their anticipation, especially when they witness his seemingly idyllic life with his family. This leads to the belief that these characters will meet a tragic fate, which ultimately propels Basim towards a grim journey. Hopefully, Ubisoft can utilize this narrative technique to surpass fans' expectations and create an impactful and engaging tragedy for Basim.

4 Less of a Connection To The Gods

Basim's motivation for betrayal in Assassin's Creed Valhalla stems from his belief that he is the reincarnation of the Norse deity Loki. It is improbable that a common street thief in the Middle East during this era would have knowledge of such a pantheon of Gods.

It would be interesting for fans to witness a version of Basim who contradicts the concept of being a God. Alternatively, it would be intriguing to explore a character who initially embraces the religious theories of 9th century Baghdad, but later undergoes a transformative awakening and pursues a different culture, potentially causing conflict in the future.

3 Fatherhood

Given that Assassin's Creed Mirage is set to bring the series back to the Middle East, it is logical for the developers to reference Altair, the first protagonist of the series.

The initial installment of Assassin's Creed is situated in the Middle East, and subsequent assassins in the series have been direct descendants of Altair. However, Altair's lineage has always been cloaked in mystery. In Assassin's Creed Mirage, it would be intriguing if the developers flipped this concept on its head. While Basim may not ultimately be an ancestor of Altair, it would be intriguing if he somehow preceded the character in terms of lineage.

2 Stealth

Ubisoft developers have stated that Assassin's Creed Mirage will adhere more closely to the original game's formula. Unlike the recent releases that emphasized combat, players can anticipate a greater emphasis on parkour and stealth in Assassin's Creed Mirage.

Contrary to the previous encounter in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, where players were required to engage Basim directly in combat for victory, the direction of the new game indicates that Basim will be more agile and lethal this time around.

1 Meeting Hytham

When encountered in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Basim serves as the mentor to Hytham, another member of the Hidden Ones. In Valhalla, Basim plays a significant role by training Eivor in the ways of the assassins and persuading Sigurd to embark on the journey to England. This mentorship dynamic positions Basim in a more protective role. Prior to meeting Hytham, it is probable that Basim did not possess this protective disposition. As a result, fans can anticipate witnessing this shift in Basim's character if he encounters Hytham in Assassin's Creed: Mirage.

Assassin's Creed Mirage is set to release on October 5 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. An iOS version will follow in early 2024.