Highlights
- The Templars, also known as the Order of the Ancients, are a compelling antagonist in the Assassin's Creed franchise, driving the endless Assassin-Templar war.
- Assassin's Creed Mirage centers around the conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients, with the protagonist hunting down corrupt members in Baghdad.
- The game features various factions, including the Caliphate Guard, Turkic Army, Zanj Rebellion, merchants, scholars, and entertainers, each playing a role in the protagonist's journey.
Every good action-adventure game needs to have at least one compelling villain, one that spurs players on to defeat their countless waves of goons. Though it might not have one main standout villain, the Assassin's Creed franchise does have a compelling antagonist in its Templars, also known as the Order of the Ancients, a secret organization of the corrupt and powerful that seek to only grow their power even further. The Templars/Order of Ancients have remained pretty compelling for 15 years now, and Assassin's Creed Mirage only continues the legacy.
No matter the time period or setting, the endless Assassin-Templar war is at the heart of just about every Assassin's Creed game, and it's no different for Assassin's Creed Mirage. Though their names are different, Assassin's Creed Mirage still focuses all of its story around the Assassin-Templar (or Hidden Ones-Order of the Ancients) conflict, with the crux of its plot following Basim as he hunts down Order members who seek to gain power in Baghdad. But while this war is still at the heart of Assassin's Creed Mirage, the Order of the Ancients isn't the only faction Basim has to worry about.
Assassin's Creed Mirage's Hidden Ones Faction Explained
The main protagonist force in Assassin's Creed Mirage, the Hidden Ones are a prototype form of the Assassin Order, originally founded in Ancient Egypt, which is seen in Assassin's Creed Origins. Designed to be a secret order of peacekeepers, the Hidden Ones in Assassin's Creed Mirage watch Baghdad from the shadows of Alamut Castle, ready to pounce at any moment should they need to defend the city from the corrupt or power-hungry. And when the Order of the Ancients arrives in town, that's exactly what the Hidden Ones do.
Assassin's Creed Mirage's Order of the Ancients Faction Explained
A group that would go on to inspire the creation of the Templars, the Order of the Ancients is essentially a religious cult, though rather than worship one of the known gods, they revere an ancient civilization known as the Isu, who they believe lived on Earth tens of thousands of years ago and could grant them ultimate power. In their quest for ultimate power, the Order of the Ancients uses corruption, manipulation, and murder to reach positions of power across the world, being able to seize any Isu artifacts the moment they're discovered.
Assassin's Creed Mirage's Caliphate Guard Faction Explained
The religious and civil head of Baghdad and its Abbasid Empire, the Caliph rules the entire region. Being the most powerful figure in Baghdad, the Caliph naturally needs an army of protectors, and that's where the Caliphate Guard comes in. An army of well-trained soldiers, the Caliphate Guard protects just about every stronghold and place of interest in Baghdad, making them the most common threat in Assassin's Creed Mirage.
Assassin's Creed Mirage's Turkic Army Faction Explained
A force directly at odds with the Caliphate, the Turkic Army sought to destabilize the Abbasid Empire. While that opposition would theoretically make them allies to the Hidden Ones, the Turkic Army is deemed too volatile to work with, and as such they're treated as enemies all the same. When it's not the Caliphate Guard protecting an area of interest, it's the Turkic Army, making them another common foe in Assassin's Creed Mirage.
Assassin's Creed Mirage's Non-Hostile Factions Explained
While Assassin's Creed Mirage is filled with plenty of foes, it's also home to a number of allied factions. Led by Ali ibn Muhammad, the Zanj Rebellion is a real-world faction that helps Basim throughout his journey in Assassin's Creed Mirage, though their time shared isn't without some friction. Merchants are a common sighting in Baghdad, selling all sorts of tools, equipment, and consumables for Basim's adventure. And finally, the scholars and entertainers take residence in the House of Wisdom, where their theories and discoveries push humanity forward.
Assassin's Creed Mirage is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
