The Assassin’s Creed series has captivated gamers with its rich narrative, spanning various time periods and locations. In this article, we’ll delve into the comprehensive timeline of Assassin’s Creed Mirage and where it fits in the Assassin’s Creed universe timeline.
What year is AC Mirage set in?
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is set in 861 CE, that’s 9 centuries after the events of Assassin’s Creed Origins. During this time period, the Assassins are still referred to as the Hidden Ones. Basim, who becomes a pivotal character in the series, is initially introduced as a Hidden One in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. AC Mirage takes place 20 years before the events of Valhalla. In this game, we follow Basim’s backstory as a young street thief.
Is AC Mirage a prequel or a sequel?
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is the 13th installment in the AC franchise. The game serves as a prequel to both Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and the original Assassin’s Creed game, explaining the origin story of the key character Basim. We’ll explore where each game fits in the timeline and provide an in-depth overview of the entire Assassin’s Creed story.
All Assassin’s Creed games in chronological order
- Assassin’s Creed Origins (49 BCE): The story takes place in ancient Egypt during the time of Bayek and Aya. Layla Hassan uses the Animus to explore their memories.
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (431-404 BCE): This game is set in ancient Greece, where players control either Kassandra or Alexios. Layla continues her use of the Animus to investigate the Isu, ancient beings who came before humans.
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage (861 CE): This game focuses on Basim’s backstory and takes place in Baghdad during the time period of the Islamic Golden Age which unfolds 338 years before the time of Altair.
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (872 CE): The game is set during the Viking Age, with Layla using the Animus to relive the memories of Eivor, a Viking raider.
- Assassin’s Creed (1191 CE): The original Assassin’s Creed game follows Altair Ibn-La’Ahad during the Third Crusade.
- Assassin’s Creed II (1476-1499 CE): This game features Ezio Auditore da Firenze in Renaissance Italy.
- Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood (1500-1507 CE): The story continues with Ezio in Rome.
- Assassin’s Creed Revelations (1511-1512 CE): Ezio’s journey concludes in Constantinople.
- Assassin’s Creed III (1754-1783 CE): The game shifts to the American Revolution with a new protagonist, Connor Kenway.
- Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (1715-1722 CE): Players become Edward Kenway, a pirate during the Golden Age of Piracy.
- Assassin’s Creed Rogue (1752-1760 CE): The game follows Shay Cormac, a former Assassin turned Templar.
- Assassin’s Creed Unity (1789-1794 CE): Set during the French Revolution, players control Arno Dorian.
- Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (1868 CE): This game features twin assassins, Jacob and Evie Frye, in Victorian London.
Assassin’s Creed Timeline and Story Explained
The Assassin’s Creed series offers a sprawling narrative that spans millennia, weaving a complex tapestry of history and mythology. It all begins around 75,000 BC during the ISU era, an advanced civilization responsible for creating powerful artifacts known as Pieces of Eden, with the iconic Apple of Eden being one of them. These artifacts allowed the ISU to control human beings. The central figures in this epic tale are Adam and Eve, who rebelled against the ISU by stealing the Apple of Eden from what was, in reality, a vast ISU city—the Garden of Eden. Their unique status as human-ISU hybrids enabled them to resist the Apple’s mind control.
As the story unfolds, we discover that the ISU comprised various factions, which eventually served as the basis for Earth’s religions and mythologies. Notably, Greek ISU experiments (Assassin’s Creed Odyssey) led to the creation of legendary creatures like the Minotaur and Medusa, while Norse ISU (Assassin’s Creed Valhalla) contributed to the construction of the world tree, Yggdrasil (Assassin’s Creed Valhalla), which, in the Assassin’s Creed universe, functions as a powerful supercomputer capable of predicting the future. Amidst these mythological elements, a war between humans and ISU raged on, driven by complex motives. The catalyst for change came with the impending cataclysm known as the Great Catastrophe.
Ancient Origins / Isu Era (Prehistory)
The Assassin’s Creed timeline commences in 75,000 BC during the ISU era, a technologically advanced civilization known as the First Civilization. This era introduces us to the ISU, creators of powerful artifacts called Pieces of Eden, notably the Apple of Eden, capable of mind control. The ISU created humans as slaves, leading to a war between both species, with Adam and Eve stealing the Apple.
Mythology and Religion
Adam and Eve’s story evolves into the foundation of various religions and mythologies, with ISU branches becoming Roman, Greek, and Norse deities. Their experiments give rise to legendary monsters and creatures, shaping ancient Greek and Norse myths. Idrisil, an ISU supercomputer, is introduced, capable of predicting the future.
Cataclysm and Preservation
As the ISU-Human war rages, a solar flare dooms both species. A Triad composed of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva attempts to save them. Juno seeks ISU immortality, resulting in her husband Aita’s reincarnation. Idrisil saves the consciousness of the Acer (Norse ISU), while humans survive, rebuilding civilization.
Leonidas and Ancient Greece
Thousands of years later, in 480 BC, Leonidas, a descendant of Human-ISU hybrids, leads Spartans against Persians in the Battle of Thermopylae. His granddaughter, Cassandra, wields a Piece of Eden, uncovers ISU mysteries, and battles the Cult of Cosmos in Ancient Greece.
Assassins in Ancient Times
In ancient times, legendary Assassins like Iltani, Wei Yu, and Darius emerge. They assassinate historical figures and confront organizations like the Cult of Cosmos and Order of Ancients, with Cassandra and Darius playing pivotal roles.
The Birth of Assassins and Templars
Around 49 BC (Assassin’s Creed: Origins), the story begins with Bayek of Siwa, an Egyptian Medjay, and his wife Aya. Grieving the loss of their son, hunt down the Order of Ancients in Egypt. Aya assists Cleopatra’s rule and joins forces with Bayek to establish the Hidden Ones. They become involved in a conflict that will shape the Assassin Brotherhood.
Assassin Chronicles Through History
Assassins continue their fight through history, with Leonius assassinating Emperor Caligula, key religious figures wielding Pieces of Eden, and operations in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age, covered in “Assassin’s Creed Mirage.”
Basim and Viking Era
Basim Ibn Ishak, a master assassin, discovers his ISU lineage and meets Siegurd, a fellow Acre. They journey to England in 873, founding the Raven Clan and facing Templar control, with Avor taking the lead.
Medieval and Renaissance Eras
12th Century: Altair’s Story (Assassin’s Creed): Altair Ibn-La’Ahad, a member of the Assassin Brotherhood during the Third Crusade, seeks to recover lost knowledge and restore the Brotherhood’s honor.
15th-16th Centuries: Ezio’s Story (Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, Revelations): Ezio Auditore da Firenze becomes an Assassin and seeks revenge against those who wronged his family. His journey spans Italy and eventually Constantinople.
Colonial Era
18th Century: Kenway Saga (Assassin’s Creed III, Black Flag, Rogue): These games follow the adventures of various members of the Kenway family, including Edward Kenway, a pirate; Haytham Kenway, a Templar; and Connor Kenway, an Assassin during the American Revolution.
Victorian Era
19th Century: Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: Set in London, this game follows twins Jacob and Evie Frye as they fight against Templars in the midst of the Industrial Revolution.
The Hidden Ones and Templars Clash
Avor and Basim’s stories continue as they combat Templars, uncover ISU secrets, and interact with other assassins like Cassandra and other historical figures across the centuries.
20th Century Conflicts
The 20th century saw the Assassin-Templar conflict shaping world events, from the Spanish Civil War to the Vietnam War, the space race, and even the assassination of JFK.
Modern-Day Struggles
Desmond Miles, kidnapped by Abstergo in 2012, relives his ancestor’s memories to uncover ISU secrets. The modern Assassins, including Layla Hassan, discover ISU artifacts, confront Juno, and face internal conflicts.
Basim and Layla’s Fate
In 2020, at the conclusion of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Layla and her team uncover the looming threat of another solar catastrophe similar to the one known as Ragnarok. Layla enters the Valhalla Simulation, where she meets Desmond, who’s been seeking a way to prevent Ragnarok and save the Isu. In a selfless choice, Layla stays in the simulation to work with Desmond. But then Basim escapes from the simulation and harnesses the power of the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus to resurrect his physical form, ending with his inevitable reunion with Aletheia.
Players then take control of Basim as the new modern-day protagonist, and his mission is to find his children: Fenrir, Jormungandr, and Hel. Basim’s true intentions remain a mystery, leaving players to wonder if he’ll be a hero or a villain.
In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, players delve into Basim’s backstory as a young thief growing up in 9th century Baghdad. The game provides new insights into the character and offers keys to better understand his motivations and actions.
Do you need to play previous Assassin’s Creed games to play AC Mirage?
No, it’s not required to play previous Assassin’s Creed games to play AC Mirage. AC Mirage is designed to be enjoyed as a standalone story that doesn’t require prior knowledge of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. While it contributes to the broader Assassin’s Creed narrative and offers insights into Basim’s character, it’s designed to be accessible and enjoyable for both franchise veterans and newcomers alike.
Check out our review of Assassin’s Creed Mirage.