Assassin’s Creed Mirage Expansion: Ubisoft’s Surprise Comeback Move
The big thing here?
A totally fresh area to explore—AlUla, this ancient Arabian oasis. Not your average sand-and-camels setup, either; we’re talking crazy rock formations and some straight-up Indiana Jones archaeology vibes. If you thought Baghdad looked good, just wait ‘til you see this place.So, why AlUla?
Ubisoft isn’t just picking random spots off a map. AlUla was a huge deal way back in the 9th century, right on the incense trade route. Basically, it’s dripping with history. Feels like Ubisoft’s flexing their “we did our homework” muscles again. Plus, it’s a nice change of scenery—Baghdad was all city hustle, AlUla’s got that wild, untamed flavor.Here’s what you’re getting in the free DLC:
- Brand new story chapter for Basim (the sneaky dude from Valhalla, if you forgot).
- New missions and side quests, all wrapped around AlUla’s actual history.
- Some tweaks to stealth, combat, and general gameplay. Here’s hoping stealth actually means stealth this time.
- And, obviously, a whole new Arabian setting to sneak and stab your way through.
Now, Basim’s story. If you remember, Mirage follows his climb from street rat to master assassin. The expansion’s probably filling in some gaps, maybe showing what he got up to between Mirage and when he pops up in Valhalla. Maybe we even get a peek at what’s next for the Hidden Ones, or a hint about future Assassin’s Creed games (Shadows, anyone?).
How Assassin’s Creed Mirage Differs from Shadows
Ubisoft announced that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will also get its first expansion, Claws of Awaji, next month. Comparing the two DLC releases provides a clear picture of Ubisoft’s strategy for the franchise.Feature | Mirage Expansion | Shadows Expansion (Claws of Awaji) |
---|---|---|
Cost | Free for all Mirage owners | Paid DLC |
Release | Later in 2025 | September 14, 2025 |
New Content | New story, AlUla location, missions, gameplay upgrades | Over 10 hours, new region, weapons, abilities, bosses |
Focus | Basim’s continued journey in the Middle East | Feudal Japan setting with dual protagonists |
This contrast shows Ubisoft’s plan to keep Mirage relevant while Shadows takes the spotlight as the next-generation RPG-style title.
But why free DLC?
Well, Mirage was always a smaller game—nice throwback, tighter focus, but some folks said it felt kind of short. Ubisoft’s clearly listening to that feedback (for once) and giving folks more to chew on. Plus, with Mirage chilling on Game Pass, new content is an easy way to pull in more subscribers and keep the old ones from bouncing.What are fans begging for in this expansion?
More stealth gadgets, more parkour options (especially with all those cliffs and ruins), deeper story bits about Basim’s future, and maybe even some nods to the bigger Assassin’s Creed timeline. If Ubisoft nails it, Mirage could become more than just “that nostalgic spin-off.”And hey, let’s not forget—Mirage is everywhere now. PC, consoles, and even mobile. Ubisoft’s clearly betting on people wanting their stabbing-and-climbing fix wherever they go. With free DLC dropping everywhere at once, nobody’s getting left out.
In the big picture, Mirage is set in 9th-century Baghdad; the new DLC takes us to ancient AlUla; and the next big title, Shadows, jumps all the way to 16th-century Japan. Ubisoft’s really doubling down on this “Assassin’s Creed goes literally everywhere” thing. It’s a smart move, honestly—keeps the series fresh and lets them weave in all kinds of historical easter eggs.
While everyone’s losing their minds over the massive paid Shadows expansion, Mirage is just over here, doing its own thing, carrying that classic Assassin’s Creed torch. Ubisoft’s basically saying, “Hey, we remember the good ol’ days, but we’re not stuck there.” Bold move, honestly.
So, what does this all mean?
Mirage’s expansion could be the missing link between the older games and whatever the heck Assassin’s Creed Infinity turns out to be. Ubisoft’s showing they care about both the die-hard fans who want old-school stealth and the new crowd chasing those RPG epics.FAQs about Assassin’s Creed Mirage Expansion
Q1: So, when’s this Mirage expansion actually dropping?
Ubisoft says sometime in 2025—yeah, that’s about as specific as they’re getting for now. Don’t hold your breath for a real date until we get closer.Q2: Do I have to pay for this DLC?
Nope! If you’ve already got Mirage, you’re in luck. This one’s on the house. Freebie alert.Q3: Where’s the new adventure set?
We’re heading to AlUla, which is an ancient Arabian oasis from the 9th century. If you like old rocks and mysterious ruins, you’re gonna be happy.Q4: Is this going to tie Mirage into Valhalla?
Honestly? No one’s nailed that down yet. There’s talk that we’ll see more of Basim’s story connecting the dots, but Ubisoft’s keeping their cards close.Q5: Wait, how’s this different from that Shadows expansion?
Big difference—Mirage’s DLC is free, Shadows’ “Claws of Awaji” is paid, and it dumps you into feudal Japan for like 10+ hours. Mirage is more of a treat for fans, while Shadows is going all-out epic (for a price, obviously).Wrap-Up
Look, Ubisoft’s dropping a free update for Mirage two years after launch? Wild. Tossing us into AlUla with new stuff to do and stories to chase? Not something you see every day, especially in an industry that loves to charge for everything, including your left shoe. Longtime fans who crave that old-school, sneak-around-in-the-shadows vibe? Yeah, they’re eating well. Game Pass folks, too—bonus round.While everyone’s losing their minds over the massive paid Shadows expansion, Mirage is just over here, doing its own thing, carrying that classic Assassin’s Creed torch. Ubisoft’s basically saying, “Hey, we remember the good ol’ days, but we’re not stuck there.” Bold move, honestly.
Cheers!!!