Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced - review

When the original Assassin’s Creed launched almost two decades ago, there was always something about the series that kept me at a distance. At the time, I was far more invested in The Witcher, which had released only a month before the first Assassin’s Creed. However, as the years went by, the series evolved, and the first entry that truly captivated me was Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.

Black Flag was largely the last game in the series to still place significant emphasis on the modern-day narrative, yet it also allowed its pirate aesthetic to truly shine. It was also the first time the protagonist was not originally a member of the Assassin Brotherhood. With Black Flag, Ubisoft made several bold moves, and that is exactly why it became one of the most beloved games in the entire franchise.

When Black Flag Resynced was announced, Ubisoft stated that the original modern-day Abstergo sequences would be removed and replaced with a new approach through the Animus Hub and Rifts connected to Edward Kenway. This change immediately excited me, because it gives the game better pacing and allows Edward Kenway’s story to feel more like his own, instead of being constantly interrupted by a modern narrative framework. Now you can probably see why the earlier games in the series pushed me away.

The focus is now firmly on Edward, the Caribbean, the pirates, and everything that Black Flag truly is at its core.

Resynced is a completely rebuilt experience. All assets, textures, and models have been recreated from the ground up. Ubisoft has tried to address several weaknesses of the original game and bring it closer to modern standards. The movement system and parkour mechanics have been completely overhauled, new lighting and weather systems have been added, and there is even the ability to dive into the depths of the ocean. On top of that, there are new quick-menu skills, and the map finally looks like an actual map. Climbing is better than it was in the original, but compared to Shadows or Mirage, it still feels like a step backward.

Climbing is definitely the only real criticism I have of this remake. It cost me my life more than once, but despite that, Resynced still feels like a completely new experience. There are stories that the game’s directors, Paul Fu and Richard Knight, played through the original with a notebook in hand, writing down everything that needed to be replaced, added, or removed. The original was one of the first games released across Xbox 360 and Xbox One, as well as PS3 and PS4. The newer hardware at the time did provide a slightly better experience, but everyone had been hoping for a true next-gen leap that we never really got. That is why Resynced, with all of its improvements, shines in a way the original never could. This is one of the best approaches to a remake we have ever seen.

Although large parts of Black Flag Resynced remain faithful to the original, including much of the story, characters, mission flow, and destinations, all of it has received significant refinement to make the gameplay experience better. This includes new post-game missions, new NPCs, hideout development systems, and structural changes to missions.

At the beginning of the game, you will be tasked with finding officers for your ship who will help you turn it into a dominant force on the open seas. From managing your ship to the people serving aboard it, everything fits naturally into the story and gameplay. From stronger ramming mechanics to new ways of firing broadside cannons, naval combat is now far more engaging and varied.

For a company that is not exactly the most popular name in the gaming world right now, Ubisoft has genuinely made an effort this time. We are given more story content focused on Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet, offering deeper insight into their pirate lives. Every side mission and quest has also been built from the ground up, bringing more variety and elevating the overall experience.

Early in the game, you will establish a new base far away from Nassau, and this new location can be upgraded and expanded. You will develop shops, brothels, and much more, making the entire area feel more alive and interesting. You will also have your own mansion, along with a butler who sends you out in search of artwork.

One mechanic that genuinely delighted me, and reminded me of the days when I played Sea of Thieves, is the addition of ship pets, such as a cat or a monkey, as well as the ability to choose the shanties your crew will sing. There were moments where I simply sailed across the sea and enjoyed the phenomenal sunsets, gentle waves, and the sound of my crew singing.

Naval combat was one of the strongest aspects of the original game. At the time of its release, it surpassed every pirate game that had come before it, and even many that came after. Resynced takes that experience to an entirely new level, and I truly believe it will be many, many years before another game delivers better naval battles. Not even Ubisoft’s own attempt to recreate that experience in an MMO format managed to succeed.

Visually, Resynced surpasses the original in every possible way. It has been rebuilt from the ground up in the Anvil engine. Character models have been significantly improved, with a much higher level of detail. From ray tracing and environmental improvements powered by micropolygon geometry to dynamic weather systems and improved water physics, Ubisoft has done an excellent job. Black Flag rightfully remains the best pirate game in the world of gaming.

If you are setting sail through the waters of Black Flag for the first time, you are in for a real treat. Resynced is not only an impressive Assassin’s Creed title, but as I said, the best pirate game across all seven seas. The story is excellent, so good that returning to it reminded me of what modern games are often missing. The writing is fantastic, the dialogue is poetic, and the characters are phenomenal. What truly surprises, however, is the level of attention given to detail.

It is genuinely difficult not to enjoy this remake. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is a triumph.