Last week, after months of speculation and leaks, Ubisoft finally announced the next main entry in theAssassin’s Creedfranchise,Assassin’s Creed Mirage. This entry marks a huge turn for the series, being thelast major entry beforeAssassin’s Creed Infinity, a service dedicated to housing the future of the franchise. Given this major shift, Ubisoft has decided to go back to basics, making a smaller scale, more traditionalAssassin’s Creed. The game will also feature the return of many classic elements such as an emphasis on stealth, and this return to form is also happening with theYakuzaseries.
Earlier this week, Ryu Ga Gotoku studio held its RGG Digest event in which it, similarly to Ubisoft, announced not just one, but three new upcomingYakuzagames. While fans will havethe newly remade and localizedLike a Dragon: Ishinto look forward to in February 2023, RGG Studios is also working on the next mainline entry, set to release in 2024, and a spin-off titledLike a Dragon Gaiden, which is set to also be released in 2023. LikeMirage,Like a Dragon Gaidenwill be a return to form for its series, following original protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and bringing back old elements such as action-based combat. Both games establish a trend of returning to long-running series' roots with smaller entries, and it should prove exciting for longtime fans of both IPs.
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What Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Like a Dragon Gaiden Have in Common
As previously noted,Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His NameandAssassin’s Creed Mirageare both recently announced entries in their respective series' that are smaller scale entries looking to return to their roots. Coincidentally, these come after both series' made the transition from open-world action-adventure games to RPGs, withAssassin’s Creedtaking inspiration from action-RPG games such asThe Witcher 3andDark SoulswhileYakuza’s switch to RPG was inspired by the likes ofDragon QuestandPersona. WithGaidenandMirage, however, both series are looking to return to their roots to make a title that appeals to fans of the earlier entries.
Both games also act as prequels to other entries in their franchises.Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Nametakes place betweenYakuza 6: The Book of LifeandYakuza: Like a Dragon, following the story of how the previous series protagonist changed his identity, and it will apparently lead into his return inLike a Dragon 8. InAssassin’s Creed’s case,Miragefollows Basim Ibn Ishaq,a character who appeared in a major role inAssassin’s Creed Valhalla, and it tells a story set 20 years earlier of how he became a Hidden One. Both entries take the same approach to representing a story set in the past, one which involves recreating the series' own past gameplay style and designs.
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Why Smaller Games Like AC Mirage and Like a Dragon Gaiden Make Sense
While it’s a coincidence that they were announced so close to each other, the existence of games likeAssassin’s Creed MirageandLike a Dragon Gaidenis not. This is an idea that makes complete sensefor series that have been running for over 15 yearslike these two have, nearly matching each other in annual release schedules (countingYakuza’sJudgmentspin-offs). Given that both series have undergone major changes in terms of game design and player base over the years, they seem perfectly positioned to reach out to past fans ahead of the next major entries with smaller, budget sized titles that act as soft refreshes.
Many would agree that a lot of other franchises could benefit from this style of game in the future, returning to a previous gameplay system for a smaller, less risky entry that sets the stage for an even bigger main series release. Many fans have claimed that Square Enix’sFinal Fantasyfranchise could even experiment in this, returning to the beloved turn-based combat for a more experimental,small scope project in-between numbered entries likeFinal Fantasy 16or other big budget entries likeFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This is just one example of a franchise that could followAssassin’s Creed MirageandLike a Dragon Gaiden’s lead.
Either way, there is a lot of potential for what Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Ubisoft have planned here with these new titles. It remains to be seen what effect these titles will have on future entries in their respective series, and whether welcoming back returning fans with more traditional gameplay systems will make an impact or not going forward. Regardless, thepotential for games similar toLike a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His NameandAssassin’s Creed Mirageis very easy to see.
Assassin’s Creed Miragewill release on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in 2023.
