Highlights
Assassin's Creed Mirage brings players back to an era where the Creed was everywhere, with bureaus, hidden HQs, and assassins in the shadows.
The game teases the presence of Iltani, a formidable assassin who warrants her own game because of her significant contributions and captivating narrative.
With Ubisoft dropping hints about Iltani's existence since AC 2, it is high time for them to delve into her story and allow players to immerse themselves in the remarkable chronicles of this legendary assassin.
In contrast to recent AC games, Assassin's Creed Mirage immerses players in a time when the Creed's influence was widespread. The cityscape is adorned with bureaus, assassins lurk in the shadows, and a hidden, expansive headquarters has been established by the Creed. Consequently, players will encounter a variety of assassins on their journey. One particular interaction alludes to an assassin who has been deserving of her own game since the days of Assassin's Creed 2.
Although brief, players have the opportunity to initiate conversations with different assassins early on in Assassin's Creed Mirage. During one of these discussions, an NPC mentions a potent poison. However, it's not just any poison – it's the exact poison used by the legendary assassin Iltani. Devoted fans may immediately recognize this name, as it has made appearances in a few AC titles. Despite these fleeting mentions, her story remains unexplored, demanding a change.
It is Time for Assassin's Creed Iltani
Little is known about Iltani's background, except for her significant contributions to the Creed. However, what the Assassin's Creed fanbase is aware of is quite intriguing. Iltani existed during the peak of the Macedonian Empire and was a member of the Babylonian Brotherhood. During this period, Persia was subjected to conquest by the Macedonian Empire, under the leadership of Alexander the Great. Accompanied by the powerful Staff of Eden, Alexander wreaked havoc on her homeland. In response, Iltani embarked on a mission to halt his progress.
Eventually, Iltani managed to locate him within a colossal fortress situated in the city of Herat. Employing her Assassin's Creed tactics, she stealthily infiltrated the fortress. However, her presence was swiftly uncovered, prompting her decision to retreat and preserve her life for another day. Nevertheless, her mission remained unfinished, compelling her to adopt a different approach in the future.
Iltani journeyed to Babylon to meet with a renowned alchemist, who taught her a secret formula for a slow-acting poison. Her intention was to use this poison to eliminate Alexander the Great. Aware of the risks involved, Iltani made provisions for the event of her death by leaving behind the formula for the Hidden Ones to discover, as hinted in the conversation in Assassin's Creed Mirage. Beyond her successful mission, very little is known about the rest of Iltani's life.
Although some players may mistakenly believe that Assassin's Creed Mirage is the first mention of Iltani, she was actually introduced in AC 2. In this game, Ezio Auditore discovered a tomb dedicated to Iltani within the spire of Florence's Santa Maria del Fiore. Inside the tomb, Ezio found a hidden assassin seal, which played a significant role in unlocking the Armor of Altair hidden beneath Villa Auditore. Although Iltani herself did not physically appear, her presence was strongly felt throughout the area.
Iltani's story in Assassin's Creed Initiates and Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India delves deeper into her role within the Creed, clarifying important aspects. Although the closure of Initiates may cast doubt on the canonicity of these stories, Chronicles: India solidifies Iltani's place in the timeline. However, Ubisoft has made little effort to further explore her character. Given that clues about Iltani have been scattered since AC2, it would be logical for Ubisoft to center a video game around her. Players would have the opportunity to experience the epic tale of this legendary assassin, who played a crucial role in the downfall of Alexander the Great. With the recent mention of Iltani in AC Mirage, it appears that Ubisoft is finally showing interest in her story. Now would be the perfect time to fully unravel her potential.
Assassin's Creed Mirage is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.