Honestly, Assassin’s Creed Unity got a bad rap. When it launched back in 2014, everyone was too busy talking about the horrifying "no-face" glitches and the frame rate drops to notice that Ubisoft actually built some of the coolest side content in the history of the franchise. I’m talking about the Assassin’s Creed Unity murder mysteries. These aren't just fetch quests. They aren't "go here and kill three guards" missions. They are actual logic puzzles that force you to pay attention to the environment, read between the lines of witness statements, and—heaven forbid—occasionally get the wrong guy.
It’s rare. Usually, games hold your hand. Not here.
If you’ve spent any time in 18th-century Paris as Arno Dorian, you’ve probably stumbled across a corpse surrounded by a glowing golden aura. That’s your cue. You talk to Vidocq—a real-life historical figure who basically invented modern criminology while being a former criminal himself—and you start digging.
The Mechanics of the Hunt
The game gives you tools, sure. Eagle Vision is your best friend. It highlights clues in the world: a bloody knife, a discarded letter, a weird stain on the floor. But just finding the clue isn't enough. You have to read the text. You have to actually process what the witnesses are saying.
I remember the first time I messed one up.
It was "The Body in the Brothel." I was rushing. I saw a guy who looked guilty, his dialogue sounded a bit shifty, and I accused him immediately. Wrong. The game doesn't just let you try again instantly. You lose out on the maximum reward. You feel like a failure. It’s brilliant because it demands a level of player agency that most modern open-world games are terrified to ask for. You’re not just a passenger; you’re the lead investigator.
Why Evidence Matters More Than Combat
In most of Unity, if you get stuck, you can just hidden-blade your way out of it. You can’t do that with the Assassin’s Creed Unity murder mysteries. You have to visit multiple locations. Sometimes you’re in a high-society ballroom, other times you’re in a literal sewer.
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The variety is staggering. Take "The Ancestral Revenge," for example. It’s a classic locked-room mystery setup. You’ve got a dead body, a family with plenty of motives, and a legacy of blood. You have to piece together the timeline of who was where. If you don't read the letters found in the study, you’ll never realize the killer's true motive.
- Clues: Tangible items like weapons or personal belongings.
- Statements: Often contradictory accounts from NPCs.
- Accusations: The high-stakes moment where you pick the culprit.
Wait, I should mention the rewards. They’re decent—usually a new weapon or some currency—but the real "get" is the world-building. These missions flesh out the French Revolution better than the main campaign ever did. You see the desperation, the weird occultism of the era, and the sheer chaos of a city mid-collapse.
The Best Murder Mysteries You Can’t Miss
If you’re going back to play this in 2026, you shouldn't just do them all at once. You’ll get burned out. Pick the ones that actually tell a story.
"The Red Ghost of the Tuileries" is arguably the peak of this system. It plays with the supernatural. Is there actually a ghost haunting the palace? Or is it just a clever ruse? The way the game uses secret passages and environmental storytelling in this specific mission is top-tier. It feels less like Assassin's Creed and more like a proto-Sherlock Holmes game.
Then there’s "Death of Jean-Paul Marat."
This one is fascinating because it’s based on a real, pivotal moment in history. Marat was a leader of the Revolution, and he actually was murdered in his bathtub by Charlotte Corday. The game lets you walk through that history. It’s a weird blend of factual historical events and Arno’s fictional involvement. It makes the world feel lived-in and heavy with consequence.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Cases
People think you can just spam the "Accuse" button until you win. You can, technically. But you’ll be broke. The payout drops significantly for every wrong guess.
Also, don't sleep on the "Statements" log in your menu. Sometimes a witness says something that sounds totally normal until you find a physical clue that proves they’re lying. For instance, if someone says they were alone but you find two wine glasses on a table, you know they’re full of it. The game doesn’t put a big red arrow over the wine glasses. You just have to see them.
A Legacy of Investigation
It’s a shame Ubisoft moved away from this. Subsequent games like Syndicate had "Dreadful Crimes," which were good, but they felt a bit more polished and less gritty than what we got in Unity. Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla basically turned "investigation" into "follow the glowing scent trail." It’s mindless.
Unity’s system was clunky, sure. The UI could be a mess. But it had soul. It respected the player’s intelligence.
How to Solve Every Case Without a Guide
If you want to feel like a master sleuth, follow a simple ritual:
- Clear the entire area with Eagle Vision first. Don't talk to anyone yet.
- Read every single document. Pay attention to names. Names are everything.
- Talk to everyone twice. Sometimes dialogue updates after you find a new clue.
- Compare the physical locations. If a witness says they saw something from a window, go to that window. Can you actually see the crime scene? If not, they’re the killer or an accomplice.
It’s about the details.
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The Assassin’s Creed Unity murder mysteries represent a version of AC that was trying to be more than just a parkour simulator. It was trying to be a simulator of a specific time and place, including the dark, quiet corners where people died for stupid, petty reasons.
Practical Next Steps for the Aspiring Detective
If you’re ready to dive back into 1790s Paris, start with the mysteries located in the Cité district. They’re generally simpler and help you get a handle on how the game wants you to think. Avoid "The Ghost of the Tuileries" until you’ve done at least five others, as that one requires a bit more mechanical knowledge of how secret doors work in Unity.
Once you’ve cleared the main set of mysteries, head over to the Francillaide area (from the Dead Kings DLC). The mysteries there are even darker, often involving the sprawling underground catacombs. They provide some of the best atmosphere in the entire game.
Keep your Eagle Vision upgraded. It’s the only way to spot the smaller clues like rings or small vials of poison tucked into corners. Pay attention to the "Case Files" tab in your database—it’s the only place where the game keeps a running tally of your evidence, and it’s much easier to read than the tiny pop-ups that appear during gameplay.
Stop treating these like side quests to be finished. Treat them like puzzles to be solved. You’ll find that Unity is a much better game when you slow down and actually look at the world it’s trying to show you.
Essential Tips for Success
- Prioritize the "Dead Kings" DLC mysteries if you want higher-quality rewards and more complex puzzles.
- Always check the rooftops. You’d be surprised how many killers flee upward rather than into the streets.
- Listen to the ambient NPC dialogue. Sometimes NPCs near a crime scene will drop hints that aren't officially part of your "clue log."
- Don't rush the accusation. There is no timer. Take your time to walk through the logic of the crime one last time before you point the finger.