Ubisoft is giving players a new reason to return to Assassin’s Creed Mirage. A new story expansion is coming. It will be completely free for everyone who owns the game. This new chapter will take players to the historical region of AlUla, an ancient oasis city in what is now Saudi Arabia. This is exciting news for fans who enjoyed the main game’s focused experience.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage was released in late 2023. It received praise because it felt like a return to the older games in the series. The game focused on the core ideas of being an assassin. This meant more hiding in shadows, climbing buildings with skill, and carefully planning your moves. The map was smaller and more detailed. This was a significant shift from the three previous games: Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla.
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A Welcome Return to the Shadows
Many players felt the series had changed too much with those three titles. They were massive role-playing games, or RPGs. They had huge open worlds to explore, endless gear to collect, and combat that often felt more like a warrior’s than an assassin’s. For some, the games became a chore. Exploring every corner of a giant map could lead to burnout. The feeling of being a nimble, hidden blade in the crowd was replaced by the feeling of being a powerful warrior in open battle.
While those games were successful, a part of the community missed the original formula. They missed the tension of the first Assassin’s Creed game with Altaïr. Mirage brought that feeling back. It tells the story of Basim Ibn Ishaq in 9th-century Baghdad. You see him grow from a street thief into a master assassin.
The city of Baghdad in the game felt alive. It was dense and packed with people, creating many opportunities for hiding and moving unseen. It was an open world, but it was designed for parkour and stealth, not just for riding a horse across empty fields. The game was not a complete return to the past, however. It kept some good ideas from the newer games. You could still upgrade your tools and weapons. You had an eagle companion to scout areas from above. Most importantly, your character, Basim, was more vulnerable. A few mistakes in a fight could mean failure. This made players think carefully. It rewarded patience and planning, just like a true assassin would.
What is AlUla and Why Is It Important?
The upcoming free expansion takes the adventure to AlUla. This is not just a made-up place for a game. AlUla is a real, historically rich area in Saudi Arabia. For thousands of years, it was a vital hub.
An Ancient Oasis
AlUla is an oasis in the desert. This means it has always had water, which made it a perfect place for people to settle and for travelers to rest.
A Crossroads of Trade
It was located on the historic “Incense Route.” This was a major trade path where valuable goods like frankincense and myrrh were transported between the East and West. This brought wealth and different cultures to the area.
Home to Lost Kingdoms
The region was once the capital of the ancient kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan. Later, it became a key southern city for the Nabataean Kingdom, the same civilization that built the famous city of Petra.
Hegra, a City of Tombs
Within AlUla is Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is famous for its more than 100 well-preserved monumental tombs with elaborate facades carved directly into the sandstone rock formations.
This historical setting is a perfect fit for an Assassin’s Creed game. The towering rock formations and ancient structures will create a unique playground for parkour. The rich history of trade, kingdoms, and secrets provides a deep well for a compelling story. Players will get to explore a part of history that is not often seen in video games.
What to Expect in the Free DLC
Details about the new story are still limited. We know it will involve a new set of missions centered around a mystery in AlUla. Beyond the new location and story, Ubisoft has also said the update will include some gameplay improvements. These improvements will be available for the entire game, not just the new content. This is good news for all players.
The most important detail is that this expansion will cost nothing. In an industry where new content often comes with a price tag, a free story addition is a welcome gift. It shows a commitment to the players who supported Mirage. It encourages players to come back to the game and might even persuade new players to try it. While there is no exact release date yet, Ubisoft has confirmed the AlUla expansion is scheduled to arrive later this year. For fans of Basim’s journey and the classic stealth gameplay, this free adventure into an ancient land is something to look forward to.