The Hidden Origins of Assassin's Creed Mirage Mechanic Unveiled in AC Liberation

Assassin's Creed Mirage pays homage to the series' most beloved aspects, but surprises players with an unexpected inclusion. While the game adopts the gameplay style of its predecessors, it also incorporates a mechanic reminiscent of Assassin's Creed Liberation. This spin-off title often goes unnoticed in discussions about the franchise, making Mirage's utilization of its standout feature all the more noteworthy.

Originally developed for the PS Vita, Assassin's Creed 3 Liberation faced considerable limitations. Its potential as a standalone experience was hindered by its spin-off nature. However, this did not diminish its unique offerings, particularly its distinctive outfit feature, which remains unparalleled in any subsequent Assassin's Creed title. With the introduction of Mirage, it appears that this is about to change, marking a welcome development for fans of the series.

AC Mirage Brings a New Version of Liberation's Outfits With It

AC Liberation, unlike other Assassin's Creed games, took a unique approach by giving outfits a purpose beyond just aesthetics. Instead of simply changing appearances, these outfits had a direct impact on gameplay. Three specific costumes stood out, each offering a different experience and adding variety to the formula.

For players who preferred a traditional assassin approach, the Aveline's assassin outfit was necessary. Wearing this outfit granted access to the full arsenal and enabled freerunning abilities. However, it also came with the drawback of constant notoriety. On the other hand, those who wanted to take a stealthier path had the option of wearing the slave outfit. This costume allowed for blending in with crowds and unrestricted movement, but limited the available weaponry. Lastly, the lady outfit presented another unique option. Although it restricted Aveline's mobility and access to weapons, it provided the ability to use charm and bribery tactics to achieve goals.

While AC Mirage's iteration differs slightly, the integration of disguises appears to be a logical progression within the system. These disguises grant players a fresh appearance and enable covert infiltration into various areas. While the feature is not extensively utilized in gameplay, these outfits serve as commendable enhancements to the formula. They successfully transform Basim into a truly stealthy assassin, rather than a conspicuous figure shrouded in a hood. The main drawback of AC Mirage's implementation is that the actual disguise aspect is confined to specific missions, rendering the disguises mere alternative costumes once those missions are completed. This limitation is unfortunate, considering the untapped potential of the feature, especially when compared to AC Liberation, which lacked such constraints despite being released in 2012.

AC Mirage and Liberation may employ alternate costumes in slightly different ways, but both features share a striking similarity. Despite Mirage imposing restrictions on these costumes, it builds upon the concept of different attires serving varying purposes. It is regrettable that it took this long to reimplement this feature because it was an exceptional addition to the formula, and Mirage should undoubtedly mark its triumphant comeback.

The Assassin's Creed franchise has the potential to greatly enhance its disguise feature. As assassins are known for their stealth, the conspicuous white robes they wear may not be the most suitable attire. To truly embody the role of an assassin, they should adopt various distinctive outfits similar to Agent 47 in Hitman. Enabling players to assume different identities through these outfits would create a more authentic and immersive experience, and it is desired that Ubisoft continues to explore this direction. Assassin's Creed Mirage is currently accessible on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.