Assassin Creed Mirage vs Dishonored

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-player Only
• Setting: 9th Century Baghdad (Golden Age of Islam), Alamut
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows PC (Ubisoft Store, Epic Games Store, Steam), Amazon Luna, iOS (iPhone 15 Pro/Max, compatible iPads)
• Unique Feature: Return to classic Assassin's Creed gameplay focusing on stealth, parkour, and a linear narrative; detailed recreation of 9th-century Baghdad; Basim's origin story.

• Enkidu: Basim's loyal eagle companion. Enkidu can be used to scout the environment from above, tag enemies, identify objectives, locate collectibles, and find hidden entrances. Cannot directly attack enemies but is an invaluable tool for reconnaissance and planning.
  Bonelli's Eagle

• Historical Sites: Interactive points scattered throughout Baghdad and its surroundings that provide detailed information about the history, culture, art, and daily life during the Islamic Golden Age.
• Lost Books: Collectible texts hidden across the map. Collecting them all often leads to a reward, such as a unique outfit or weapon, and provides additional lore.
• Enigmas: Map-based riddles or cryptic drawings found in the world that players must decipher to locate a hidden treasure, typically an outfit dye, a talisman, or a weapon/outfit upgrade schematic.
• Gear Chests: Chests containing new weapons (swords, daggers) or outfits for Basim. These are often found in restricted areas or guarded locations and may require solving small environmental puzzles to access.
• Dervis' Artifacts: Valuable artifacts that Basim can pickpocket from specific NPCs throughout Baghdad. Returning these to Dervis provides rewards like upgrade materials or skill points.
• Mysterious Shards: Special collectibles found in heavily guarded chests, usually requiring a key or specific conditions to open. Used to unlock powerful Isu gear in a hidden location.
• Tales of Baghdad: Short, self-contained side stories involving unique characters and situations, offering insights into the lives of Baghdad's inhabitants and often providing small rewards.

• Runes: Hidden throughout levels; used to acquire and upgrade supernatural powers. The Heart reveals their locations.
• Bonecharms: Found in various hidden spots or carried by specific NPCs; provide passive buffs to Corvo's abilities. The Heart reveals their locations.
• Sokolov Paintings: Collectible artworks by Anton Sokolov hidden in each mission level. Collecting them provides coin and contributes to completion.
• Outsider Shrines: Hidden shrines dedicated to the Outsider, usually containing a Rune and offering lore insights.
• Books, Notes, and Audiographs: Scattered throughout the world, providing lore, character backstories, hints, and world-building details.

• Assassin Origins
• Coming-of-Age
• Stealth
• Parkour
• 9th Century Baghdad
• Golden Age of Islam
• Hidden Ones vs. Order of the Ancients
• Fate
• Justice
• Mentorship
• Internal Conflict
• Middle Eastern Folklore

• Stealth
• Revenge
• Supernatural Powers
• Plague
• Oppression
• Political Conspiracy
• Moral Choices
• Whalepunk Aesthetic

• Hidden Blade: Primary Assassination Tool
  The iconic weapon of the Assassins, used for stealthy and instant assassinations on unaware or vulnerable targets.
• Sword (One-Handed): Primary Melee Weapon
  Basim's main weapon for open combat, used for attacking, parrying, and dodging. Various swords with different stats and appearances can be acquired and upgraded.
• Dagger: Secondary Melee / Tool
  A secondary weapon often used in conjunction with the sword or for specific combat maneuvers. Can also be used for stealth takedowns or as a utility tool.
• Throwing Knives: Ranged Throwable Tool
  Silent ranged weapons for eliminating enemies from a distance, creating distractions, or hitting weak points. Can be upgraded for increased capacity or damage.
• Smoke Bombs: Tactical Tool
  Creates a cloud of smoke to obscure vision, allowing Basim to escape combat, break line of sight, or perform stealth assassinations. Upgradable for larger radius or longer duration.
• Blowdart: Ranged Tactical Tool
  Used to silently apply various effects to targets, such as sleep, berserk, or poison, from a distance. Requires ammunition (darts).
• Noisemaker Darts / Whistle: Distraction Tool
  Used to lure guards away from their posts or investigate specific locations, creating openings for stealthy passage or takedowns.
• Traps: Tactical Tool
  Deployable traps that can incapacitate or damage enemies who trigger them. Useful for setting up ambushes or securing escape routes.

• Corvo's Folding Blade: Melee
  Corvo's signature collapsible sword, used for lethal combat, stealth takedowns, and parrying attacks.
• Pistol: Firearm (Ranged)
  A flintlock-style pistol. Can be upgraded for damage, accuracy, and reload speed. Standard and explosive bullets available.
• Crossbow: Ranged (Stealth)
  A silent ranged weapon. Fires standard bolts, sleep darts for non-lethal takedowns, and incendiary bolts.
• Grenade: Throwable (Explosive)
  Standard fragmentation grenade effective against groups or for creating diversions.
• Spring Razor: Trap (Lethal)
  A deployable trap that, when triggered, unleashes a whirlwind of sharp wires, shredding nearby enemies.
• Sticky Grenade: Throwable (Explosive)
  A grenade that adheres to surfaces or enemies before detonating.

• Hidden One Outfit (Default): Basim's initial attire as he joins the Hidden Ones. Offers a balance of protection and agility suitable for an Assassin. Can be upgraded.
• Various Outfits (Unlockable/Craftable): Players can acquire multiple outfits throughout the game, each with a unique appearance and often providing specific passive perks or stat bonuses that cater to different playstyles (e.g., enhancing stealth, combat, or tool effectiveness). Outfits can typically be upgraded and some can be dyed.
• Deluxe Pack Outfit (Prince of Persia inspired): A cosmetic outfit included in the Deluxe Edition, inspired by the Prince of Persia series. Offers a unique visual style.

• Hidden One Robes: Basim wears various iterations of the traditional Hidden One attire. These outfits can be upgraded to improve their perks and stats. Dyes can be applied to change the color scheme of most outfits.
• Deluxe Edition Outfit (Prince of Persia Inspired): A unique cosmetic outfit included with the Deluxe Edition, themed after the Prince of Persia series. Includes matching weapon and mount skins.
• Unlockable Outfits: Numerous distinct outfits can be unlocked through story progression, completing side content, finding collectibles (like Enigmas), or purchasing from merchants. Each often comes with specific passive bonuses tailored to stealth, combat, or utility.

• Royal Protector Uniform: Corvo's signature dark, masked attire. Not customizable beyond its inherent design.
• City Watch Uniform: Blue and grey uniforms worn by Dunwall's guards, varying slightly by rank.
• Overseer Uniform: Distinctive masked uniforms of the Abbey of the Everyman's militant order.

Corvo gains supernatural powers like Blink (teleportation), Dark Vision, Bend Time, Devouring Swarm, and Possession. These powers are unlocked and upgraded using Runes found in the world. Bonecharms provide passive buffs. Weapons and gadgets like the pistol, crossbow, grenades, and rewire tools can be upgraded using money at Piero Joplin's workshop.

Assassin's Creed Mirage features a smaller, more focused open world compared to recent entries like Valhalla or Odyssey. The primary setting is the dense and vibrant city of Baghdad, divided into four main districts: Karkh (industrial), Abbasiyah (cultural center), Harbiyah (densely populated residential), and the iconic Round City (administrative center). The game also includes the surrounding wilderness and the Hidden Ones' fortress of Alamut. The map size of Baghdad is comparable to AC Unity's Paris or AC Revelations' Constantinople (approx. 2.30 km² for the city itself, with the total explorable area being larger but not on the scale of massive RPGs).

The game features distinct, large, and intricately designed mission levels rather than a single continuous open world. Key locations in Dunwall include Dunwall Tower, the Hound Pits Pub (hub area), Kaldwin's Bridge, Boyle Estate, and the Flooded District. Each level offers multiple pathways and secrets.

• Horse: Mount / Land Traversal
  Available for faster travel across the larger stretches of land outside the dense city center of Baghdad and for journeying to locations like Alamut.
• Camel: Mount / Land Traversal
  An alternative mount suitable for desert environments surrounding Baghdad, offering a thematic means of transportation.
• Small Boats (Dhows/Skiffs): Water Traversal
  Used for navigating the rivers and canals within and around Baghdad, providing alternative routes for infiltration or travel.

• Samuel's Boat: Watercraft (Transport)
  Samuel Beechworth's small motorboat, used to transport Corvo to and from mission areas along Dunwall's waterways.
• Whale Oil Powered Rails/Carts: Automated Transport (Environmental)
  Some levels feature automated rail carts or lifts powered by whale oil, which can be used for traversal within specific areas.

• Rat: Rattus norvegicus (Plague Rats)
  Environmental Hazard (swarms), Can be possessed, Source of Devouring Swarm power
• Hagfish: Fictional Aquatic Creature
  Aquatic Hazard, found in water bodies, can be possessed.
• Wolfhound: Canis lupus familiaris
  Enemy Type, Guard Animal, often accompanies City Watch.

• Basim Ibn Ishaq: Protagonist / Hidden One
  A former street thief from Anbar who is recruited into the Hidden Ones in Baghdad. Players follow his journey as he trains to become a Master Assassin, grapples with his past, nightmarish visions, and uncovers conspiracies within the city. He is the player character.
• Roshan bint-La'Ahad: Mentor / Master Assassin
  A senior member and Master Assassin of the Hidden Ones, originally from Persia. She serves as Basim's stern and wise mentor, guiding his training and operations in Baghdad. Voiced by Shohreh Aghdashloo.
• Nehal: Childhood Friend / Confidante
  Basim's close childhood friend from Anbar. She is independent, distrustful of the Hidden Ones, and encourages Basim to investigate the mysteries of his visions and the artifacts sought by the Order. Plays a crucial role in Basim's personal story and his connection to the Isu Loki.
• Ali ibn Muhammad: Leader of the Zanj Rebellion / Ally
  A historical figure and the charismatic leader of the Zanj Rebellion against the Abbasid Caliphate. Basim and the Hidden Ones interact with him and his cause.
• Order of the Ancients Members: Antagonists / Templar Precursors
  The primary antagonistic faction, the precursors to the Templar Order. They have infiltrated the highest levels of power in Baghdad and seek ancient Isu artifacts to further their goals of control. Basim is tasked with identifying and eliminating key members.
• Fuladh: Hidden One / Bureau Leader
  A fellow Hidden One and leader of one of the Assassin Bureaus in Baghdad. Works alongside Basim and Roshan.
• Enkidu: Eagle Companion
  Basim's Bonelli's eagle companion. Used for scouting the environment, marking enemies and points of interest from above. Cannot directly attack enemies but is essential for reconnaissance.

• Corvo Attano: Protagonist / Royal Protector
  The Empress's loyal bodyguard, framed for her murder. Granted powers by the Outsider to seek revenge and clear his name.
• The Outsider: Supernatural Entity / Narrator
  A mysterious, amoral god-like figure from the Void who grants supernatural powers to individuals he finds 'interesting', observing their choices.
• Empress Jessamine Kaldwin: Ruler of the Isles
  The beloved Empress murdered at the start of the game, setting Corvo's journey in motion.
• Emily Kaldwin: Heir to the Throne / Damsel
  Daughter of Empress Jessamine, kidnapped after her mother's assassination. Rescuing her is a primary objective.
• Hiram Burrows (Lord Regent): Primary Antagonist / Usurper
  The Royal Spymaster who orchestrates the Empress's assassination and seizes power as Lord Regent.
• Daud: Antagonist / Assassin Leader
  The infamous 'Knife of Dunwall', leader of the Whalers assassin gang, responsible for carrying out the Empress's murder.
• Samuel Beechworth: Ally / Boatman
  A loyalist boatman who ferries Corvo to and from missions and offers moral guidance.

• Main Story Quests (Basim's Journey)
  A series of narrative-driven missions following Basim's transformation from a street thief to a Master Assassin within the Hidden Ones. This involves training in Alamut, undertaking contracts in Baghdad, investigating the Order of the Ancients, and uncovering secrets about his past and visions.
• Assassination Contracts (Bureau Investigations)
  Identifying and eliminating key members of the Order of the Ancients who have infiltrated Baghdad. These often feature 'black box' mission design, allowing players multiple ways to gather clues, plan their approach, and execute their targets using stealth, tools, and environmental opportunities.
• Tales of Baghdad
  Short, optional side missions found throughout the city that tell self-contained stories about the citizens of Baghdad, offering insights into their lives and the culture of the era. Completing them often yields minor rewards.
• Lost Books Collection
  Finding a series of lost books scattered across Baghdad for Al-Jahiz, which rewards the player with skill points and potentially unique gear upon completion of the set.
• Dervis' Artifacts Retrieval
  Pickpocketing valuable artifacts from specific NPCs for Dervis, a merchant, in exchange for upgrade materials, resources, or skill points.

• Dishonored (Prologue)
  Witness the Empress's assassination, get framed, and escape Coldridge Prison.
• High Overseer Campbell
  Eliminate High Overseer Thaddeus Campbell or find a non-lethal solution to neutralize him.
• House of Pleasure
  Infiltrate the Golden Cat bathhouse to deal with the Pendleton twins.
• Lady Boyle's Last Party
  Infiltrate a masquerade ball at the Boyle Estate to identify and eliminate one of the three Boyle sisters (or find a non-lethal alternative).
• The Loyalists
  Return to the Hound Pits Pub only to face betrayal.
• The Light at the End
  Infiltrate Kingsparrow Island lighthouse for the final confrontation with the Lord Regent and to rescue Emily.

Available editions include: Standard Edition (base game), Deluxe Edition (includes Deluxe Pack with a Prince of Persia-inspired outfit, eagle and mount skins, weapons, and access to digital artbook & soundtrack via a dedicated website), and a Collector's Case (physical edition including the Deluxe Edition content, a Basim figurine, Steelbook case, map of Baghdad, a replica of Basim's brooch, mini-artbook, and selected soundtrack CD).

Ubisoft has stated that Mirage was designed as a standalone experience with no plans for major story DLC. However, the game received post-launch updates including a New Game Plus mode and a permadeath (Full Synchronization Challenge) mode, as well as various cosmetic packs.

**Dunwall City Trials:** Challenge maps. **The Knife of Dunwall:** Story DLC playing as the assassin Daud. **The Brigmore Witches:** Continues Daud's story. **Void Walker's Arsenal:** Pre-order bonus pack with additional bonecharms and resources.

• Q: When was Assassin's Creed Mirage released?
  A: Assassin's Creed Mirage was released on October 5, 2023.
• Q: What is the setting of Assassin's Creed Mirage?
  A: The game is set in 9th-century Baghdad during the Golden Age of Islam, with players also visiting the Hidden Ones' fortress of Alamut.
• Q: Who is the main character in Assassin's Creed Mirage?
  A: The protagonist is Basim Ibn Ishaq, a character first introduced in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Mirage explores his origin story and transformation from a street thief into a Master Assassin.
• Q: How does the gameplay of Mirage compare to recent Assassin's Creed titles?
  A: Mirage is a deliberate return to the series' roots, emphasizing stealth, parkour, and a more focused, linear narrative. It scales back the large open-world RPG elements found in games like Odyssey and Valhalla for a more classic Assassin's Creed experience.
• Q: Is Assassin's Creed Mirage an open-world game?
  A: Yes, it features an open-world depiction of 9th-century Baghdad and its surrounding areas, including Alamut. However, the map is smaller and more densely packed compared to the vast worlds of recent AC RPGs, designed to facilitate classic parkour and stealth gameplay.
• Q: Does Assassin's Creed Mirage have multiplayer or co-op?
  A: No, Assassin's Creed Mirage is a strictly single-player game with no multiplayer or co-operative modes.
• Q: Are there any DLCs or post-launch story content for Mirage?
  A: Ubisoft has stated that there are no plans for major story DLC for Assassin's Creed Mirage. Post-launch updates have included features like New Game Plus and a permadeath mode.

• Q: What is the Chaos system in Dishonored?
  A: The Chaos system tracks Corvo's lethal actions. Killing more characters increases Chaos, leading to a darker world, more plague victims (Weepers), more rats, pessimistic dialogue, and a bleaker ending. A low Chaos playthrough (minimal kills) results in a more hopeful outcome.
• Q: Can you complete Dishonored without killing anyone?
  A: Yes, it is possible to complete the entire game, including eliminating all main targets, without killing anyone (non-lethal playthrough). This often involves finding alternative methods to neutralize targets.
• Q: What are Runes and Bonecharms used for?
  A: Runes are used to unlock and upgrade Corvo's supernatural powers. Bonecharms are trinkets that provide passive buffs, such as increased health/mana, faster movement, or enhanced stealth.
• Q: Is Corvo a silent protagonist?
  A: For the most part, yes. Corvo has very few spoken lines in the base game, primarily making choices through player actions. He is more vocal in the DLC and Dishonored 2.

Utilizes an updated version of the Ubisoft Anvil engine to render a detailed and vibrant depiction of 9th-century Baghdad. Focuses on environmental density, historical accuracy in architecture, and character animations that support the fluid parkour and stealth gameplay. Supports modern graphical features on PC and current-gen consoles.

Utilizing a heavily modified Unreal Engine 3, Dishonored features a distinct 'whalepunk' art style characterized by exaggerated Victorian-era architecture, industrial elements powered by whale oil, and painterly textures. The game is known for its strong art direction and atmosphere rather than raw graphical fidelity by modern standards.

The original score, composed by Brendan Angelides (with a track by Layth Sidiq), blends traditional Middle Eastern instrumentation with orchestral themes to create an authentic atmosphere for 9th-century Baghdad. Voice acting is available in multiple languages, including full Arabic localization for enhanced immersion.

Score by Daniel Licht, creating a dark, atmospheric, and memorable soundtrack. Sound design is crucial for stealth, providing auditory cues for guard patrols and environmental hazards. Features iconic voice acting, including Stephen Russell as Corvo (though Corvo is mostly silent).

Features a HUD that is reminiscent of older AC titles, with a focus on clarity for stealth and parkour. Includes a compass, notoriety indicator, health/tool indicators, and contextual prompts. The world map is detailed for Baghdad and its surroundings. Photo mode is available.

Includes a range of accessibility options such as customizable controls (including keyboard and mouse), subtitle customization (size, background, speaker names), closed captions, adjustable HUD elements, aim assist, menu narration, and options to modify gameplay elements like guaranteed pickpocketing.

• Official PC system requirements for 'Assassin's Creed Mirage'. An SSD is mandatory for all configurations. Performance will vary based on specific hardware, drivers, and in-game settings. Upscaling technologies (DLSS, FSR, XeSS) are supported.
• Laptop Performance Note: Assassin's Creed Mirage, while less demanding than recent large-scale AC titles, still benefits from a capable gaming laptop for optimal experience. Laptop GPUs generally perform differently than their desktop counterparts due to TGP and thermal limitations. **Ensure your laptop meets or exceeds these estimated specs, especially regarding GPU TGP and cooling capacity.** Check specific laptop model reviews.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P Impact: Total Graphics Power (TGP) for laptop GPUs is critical. Higher TGP variants generally offer better performance for the same GPU model.
• Laptop Consideration: Advanced Cooling Thermals: Efficient cooling is necessary for sustained performance during gameplay to avoid thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Performance Sustain: A modern mobile CPU that maintains good clock speeds under load is important, especially for a game with dense city environments and many NPCs.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Configuration Speed: 8GB is the minimum, but 16GB in dual-channel configuration is strongly recommended for smoother gameplay and reduced stuttering.
• Laptop Consideration: Display Panel G P U Pairing: Consider your laptop's display resolution (1080p is common) and refresh rate. The GPU should comfortably drive frames at or near the panel's refresh rate for the best experience.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch N V I D I A Advanced Optimus: Laptops with a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus can improve performance by directly connecting the dedicated GPU to the display.
• Laptop Consideration: Driver Updates O S Optimization: Always use the latest official GPU drivers. Ensure Windows is updated and configured for gaming performance.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Supports Intel XeSS, NVIDIA DLSS, and AMD FSR. Utilizing these is recommended to boost performance, especially at higher resolutions or settings.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Texture Quality, Shadows, Clutter, World Detail, and Anti-Aliasing are key settings affecting performance.
• Game Name: Assassin Creed Mirage

• Official system requirements as per Bethesda/Arkane Studios' documentation at launch (October 2012). The game is relatively light by modern standards. An SSD will improve loading times.
• Laptop Performance Note: Dishonored runs very well on a wide range of laptops, even older ones with dedicated graphics. Modern integrated graphics (e.g., Intel Iris Xe, AMD Radeon Graphics) can often run this game adequately at lower settings. Any modern discrete GPU, including an RTX 3050 Mobile, will provide extremely high framerates.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Not a major concern for this title on modern hardware; even low TGP modern GPUs will excel. For period-appropriate cards, ensuring they weren't severely underpowered was key.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Most modern laptops should handle Dishonored without significant thermal issues. Older laptops might still get warm.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: The game is not very CPU demanding. Any modern dual-core or quad-core mobile CPU will be more than sufficient.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Beneficial on older Optimus systems to ensure the dedicated GPU is used, though less critical with powerful modern hardware.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: No native support for modern upscaling technologies (DLSS/FSR/XeSS). Standard resolution and anti-aliasing options are available in-game.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Shadow Quality, Light Shafts, Texture Details, and Anti-Aliasing (MLAA/FXAA) can impact performance on very low-end hardware.
• Supported Video Cards: NVIDIA: GeForce GTX 460 or better, GeForce GT 500M series or better (GT 555M for min) | AMD: Radeon HD 5850 or better, Mobility Radeon HD 5000 series or better (HD 5770 for min) | Intel: Intel HD Graphics 3000/4000 (Not officially recommended, but may run at very low settings/resolutions) | General: Laptop versions of discrete cards may work if their performance is on par with the desktop minimum. Integrated graphics were not a primary target.
• Sound card: DirectX 9.0c compatible soundcard (Standard requirement for audio output.)
• Peripherals: Windows-compatible keyboard, mouse, optional controller (Xbox 360 Controller for Windows recommended) (Supports standard PC input devices and gamepads.)
• Game Name: Dishonored

• Upscaling Tech: Supports Intel XeSS, NVIDIA DLSS, and AMD FSR. Utilizing these is recommended to boost performance, especially at higher resolutions or settings.
• Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Texture Quality, Shadows, Clutter, World Detail, and Anti-Aliasing are key settings affecting performance.

• Upscaling Tech: No native support for modern upscaling technologies (DLSS/FSR/XeSS). Standard resolution and anti-aliasing options are available in-game.
• Key Settings Impact: Shadow Quality, Light Shafts, Texture Details, and Anti-Aliasing (MLAA/FXAA) can impact performance on very low-end hardware.

• G P U T G P Impact: Total Graphics Power (TGP) for laptop GPUs is critical. Higher TGP variants generally offer better performance for the same GPU model.
• Advanced Cooling Thermals: Efficient cooling is necessary for sustained performance during gameplay to avoid thermal throttling.
• C P U Performance Sustain: A modern mobile CPU that maintains good clock speeds under load is important, especially for a game with dense city environments and many NPCs.
• R A M Configuration Speed: 8GB is the minimum, but 16GB in dual-channel configuration is strongly recommended for smoother gameplay and reduced stuttering.
• Display Panel G P U Pairing: Consider your laptop's display resolution (1080p is common) and refresh rate. The GPU should comfortably drive frames at or near the panel's refresh rate for the best experience.
• M U X Switch N V I D I A Advanced Optimus: Laptops with a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus can improve performance by directly connecting the dedicated GPU to the display.
• Driver Updates O S Optimization: Always use the latest official GPU drivers. Ensure Windows is updated and configured for gaming performance.

• G P U T G P: Not a major concern for this title on modern hardware; even low TGP modern GPUs will excel. For period-appropriate cards, ensuring they weren't severely underpowered was key.
• Cooling Thermals: Most modern laptops should handle Dishonored without significant thermal issues. Older laptops might still get warm.
• C P U Power Limits: The game is not very CPU demanding. Any modern dual-core or quad-core mobile CPU will be more than sufficient.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Beneficial on older Optimus systems to ensure the dedicated GPU is used, though less critical with powerful modern hardware.