Assassin's Creed Mirage VS Assassin's Creed 1
Round 1: Characters
The 10 Most USELESS Assassin's Creed Characters
Though Altaïr and Basim appear in more games than just “AC 1” and “Mirage”, here, we’re specifically comparing them in those games only. This means we’re not taking into account Basim’s development in “Valhalla”, or Altaïr’s in “Revelations”. With that said, it was Altaïr’s job to launch a new franchise for Ubisoft, and he certainly delivered on that. Often, video game protagonists don’t need to be the most interesting on their own, you just need to believe that they’d follow all the same orders and objectives that you’ll be following for the story, and Altaïr is certainly that. He does grow throughout the game, learning about the Pieces of Eden and that his mentor, Al Mualim, has been corrupted by them, but he’s still not the most compelling character. Basim is certainly more interesting from the get-go than Altaïr was. With his rakish charm and difficult life on the streets of Baghdad, we’re already rooting for him. He joins the Assassins and begins to grow as a character under the mentorship of Roshan. He starts off strong but gets even better; by the end of the game, when his ideals as a Hidden One are pit against his destiny as a Sage, he definitely comes into his own. Though, it IS unfortunate that the ending of “Mirage” won’t really make sense if you didn’t finish “Valhalla”. Basim also has more interesting relationships and conversations with the other characters, whereas Altaïr only talks to each of his allies a few times. It’s definitely a close call, and arguably, both characters are at their weakest in these games. But, we’re going to give this one to Basim, because Ubisoft has clearly learned a lot since it created Altaïr. WINNER: Assassin’s Creed Mirage 1 / Assassin’s Creed 0
Round 2: Setting
Assassins Creed Ranked by Setting / World Map
The entirety of Egypt was great to explore in “Origins”, but ever since Ubisoft took this country-wide approach, many fans have longed for the days when there was just one, sprawling city. “Mirage’s” Baghdad was a return to form in many ways, with a dense, ancient city full of history and interesting landmarks to discover. The streets are packed so closely together that running across rooftops is actually fun again. It was a great call back to the early days of the franchise, only now, able to make use of dynamic weather and lightning to make everything even more immersive. Plus, it was recreating a city that has been sacked and destroyed time and time again, bringing Baghdad in its prime back to life. But, equally, there’s a lot to be said for the five major maps in the first game. Not only is there the Assassins’ base, Masyaf Castle and its surrounding village, but there are three huge cities, Damascus, Jerusalem, and Acre, all connected by the Kingdom. Each location makes use of a different color filter to give it a distinct style and feel, not to mention being split into rich, poor, and middle-income districts. As a proof of concept, the first game is phenomenal, and some of those cities remain beloved settings in the franchise. Even with “Mirage”, people still want a full remake, or at the very least a remaster, of the very first game, and its superb open worlds and immersive setting are the main reason why. Recreating Baghdad is a triumph, to be sure, but you’ll never forget the first time you ride through the Kingdom and find one of those vast cities in the Holy Land. That’s why this one goes to “AC 1”. WINNER: Assassin’s Creed Mirage 1 / Assassin’s Creed 1
Round 3: Stealth
Top 10 Best Stealth Game Franchises
In truth, if you get the countering down and learn how to handle the tougher enemies that have to be staggered or dodged, you can probably finish both games with minimal stealth. But, obviously, that’s not the way they’re intended to be played. So, which really has the better sneaking? Altaïr is weak in combat, especially at the start of the game, so you’re always better off running and hiding than fighting large mobs of enemies. But if you haven’t played the older games in a while, you might not remember that there was no crouching at the beginning. Altaïr is TRYING to sneak, but he stays standing up the whole time, which certainly isn’t ideal. It’s also all-too-easy to get seen and ruin unique assassination opportunities. “Mirage”, on the other hand, has the benefit of being the latest in a long line of games. Basim can crouch, he can whistle, he’s got various tools he can use to distract guards and hide, he can blend with more people than Altaïr could, and crucially, he has superior eagle vision. Altaïr can only use eagle vision when he’s standing still, and the ability to use it to see enemies through walls wasn’t added until many games later. Basim can do all of these things, as well as being just as adept at countering when he DOES get into a combat situation. It’s not really a competition in this category. Yes, the first game was still finding its feet, but “Mirage” is the apex of “Assassin’s Creed’s” stealth mechanics. Plus, Altaïr doesn’t have a pet eagle to scope out areas. Ultimately, the stealth is just a little too tedious in the first game, and we’re so glad Ubisoft has improved it so much that it’s as good as it is in “Mirage”. WINNER: Assassin’s Creed Mirage 2 / Assassin’s Creed 1
Round 4: Controls
Top 10 Great Video Games With Bad Controls
The first game still has plenty of fans who replay it regularly, but over fifteen years on and it’s definitely showing its age – mostly where its controls are concerned. A lot of the issues in “AC 1” were, admittedly, ironed out quickly enough by the time of “AC 2”, but that doesn’t mean they’re any easier to deal with. Altaïr controls awkwardly, he’s a very slow climber, and switching weapons during combat can by annoying enough that you get killed while you’re attempting it. Altaïr also has no easy way to quickly descend buildings, and can only assassinate his targets with the hidden blade, even if his other weapons are equally lethal. It’s something you get used to, but the different between “AC 1” and its sequels is night and day. “Mirage”, on the other hand, controls better in almost every way imaginable. Basim, while slower than some other “AC” protagonists, is definitely faster than Altaïr, and much more mobile – especially where the parkour is concerned. You have a toggle to run, the left thumbstick on consoles, and you don’t have to constantly hold down a trigger and a face button, which makes “Mirage” a lot more comfortable. And, while Basim does have the iconic hidden blade, you can use other weapons to take out your targets – and you don’t ever have to switch to the blade. Combat is also more reactive in “Mirage” since you have to time Basim’s parries correctly, instead of just holding down buttons. This category isn’t close at all, is HAS to go to “Mirage”, which iterates on the first game in every single way. WINNER: Assassin’s Creed Mirage 3 / Assassin’s Creed 1
Round 5: Story
Basim's Complete Origin Story | Assassin's Creed Valhalla & Mirage
The first game started with a bang. We were introduced to Desmond Miles and the conceit of the Animus, a machine that lets someone relive the memories of their ancestors. He goes back in time to the Crusades and goes through a spectacular opening sequence where Altaïr fails to steal the Ark of the Covenant and gets demoted. But the REALLY memorable parts of the first game come at the end, when we’re finally shown the power of the Apple of Eden, and everything becomes well and truly science-fiction. You’ll never forget the first time you were introduced to these concepts, or the revelation that messages were written for Desmond in Subject 16’s blood. Even the political machinations of the Holy Land during the Crusades are fascinating. “Mirage”, on the other hand, isn’t necessarily telling a complete story on its own. You really do need to have played, and finished, the main story of “Valhalla” to understand the impact of some of the events in the game’s final hour, which definitely makes it more limited. As well as that, Basim’s story is one we’ve seen in the series before; a young man who has ambition and drive, and joins the Assassin Brotherhood as a way to find meaning in his life. Connor and Arno also fit this mould, and they’re arguably more interesting in their own games than Basim is in his. That’s not to say “Mirage” doesn’t have its moments, it certainly does, but it’s clearly going over old ground again and again. That IS what it set out to do, though. The story of “AC 1” is just more engaging and impactful, and was able to introduce so many original concepts and ideas, from the First Civilization to the Animus, as well as many beloved characters. We HAVE to give it the victory here. WINNER: Assassin’s Creed Mirage 3 / Assassin’s Creed 2 It’s definitely close, and there’s no topping the original in many ways, but “Mirage” benefits from fifteen years of improvements and refinements to this franchise’s tried-and-true formula. With 3 points to 2, “Mirage” is our overall winner. Let us know in the comments who YOU think should have won.
