Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Is The Remake We Deserve
Topics: Preview, Features, Ubisoft, Assassin's Creed
Featured Image Credit: Ubisoft
Topics: Preview, Features, Ubisoft, Assassin's Creed
I went hands-on with Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, a remake of the beloved 2013 release. While not perfect, I came away feeling very excited about what the full game has to offer.
I did have concerns going in that there might be too many changes made in this remake that could result in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag losing much of its identity and the reason why so many fans hold it in such high regard.
Thankfully, however, while having some technical hiccups that you would expect in a preview build, I feel that Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced will not only be a treat for returning fans, but it might also be the perfect introduction to those new to the Brotherhood of Assassins.
In terms of the visuals, after watching the public 30-minute presentation of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced in April, I was concerned that they weren't enough of a leap over the original. But trust me, it looks much better playing firsthand. Granted, the preview build was on a powerful PC rig, so the quality of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions may differ, but I would imagine it will look quite stunning nonetheless.
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The colours of the Caribbean pop, the density of the foliage and NPC population make its world feel even more alive, and the crashing waves on the Jackdaw, glistening from the sun as your crew sing along to the ever-charming sea shanties, is a joy to behold. I will say that some of the NPC facial details looked a bit lacking, and their animations were less lifelike than Edward and the main supporting cast, but hopefully, they can have a little makeover come launch.
In terms of combat, the action is far more fast-paced, and rather than enemies each waiting a turn to slice you with their swords, at least two enemy NPCs can attack simultaneously, which helps the combat keep you on your toes. Combat has also been improved by preventing you from spamming the same attack to defeat enemies, you know, that cheap parry cheese. If you spam attacks, enemies will become more defensive, and you will need to think more on the fly. Thankfully, when an enemy parks the bus, it's probably nothing that a swift leg sweep, grapple hook or flintlock to the face won’t solve. Parrying also has more of a focus, and if you time it just right, you can unleash a brutal takedown and even chain four satisfying takedowns in one fell swoop.
In the aforementioned 30-minute preview, Ubisoft spoke a lot about the improved stealth, and I’m glad to report that it is indeed much better. You will no longer face an instant game over when detected by an NPC, which will now instead trigger an on-the-fly combat sequence. Stealth is also aided by the simple introduction of being able to crouch when you want and a handy stealth metre that lets you know how hidden in the dark you are (or not).
Parkour is also vastly improved, at least comparatively to the 2013 original. Whether it's combat, stealth or parkour, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is closer to Assassin’s Creed Shadows than the original Black Flag.
At least following the recent Shadows updates, which finally allowed you to jump on the spot, as well as jump back or sideways when climbing structures. Running through crowded towns and traversing over boxes when chasing an NPC is far more seamless, and should drastically reduce the chances of you coming to a sudden halt when something gets in your way, such as a random NPC.
As for naval combat, this is pretty much the same as it was in 2013, and that’s not a bad thing, because 13 years later, the naval combat in the OG Black Flag is still a blast. However, you now have more weapons in your arsenal with each of the firing canons having a secondary ability, and there are even more upgrades and abilities to unlock, especially when you recruit any one of the three new officers (Lucy Baldwin, Deadman Smith and The Padre).
Speaking of the new officers, their new abilities will be unlocked by completing unique missions, and while I can’t say anything in detail, I was able to play a snippet of Lucy’s story, and it left me wanting to learn more.
While Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced won't have the modern-day Abstergo Offices missions or Adéwalé’s Assassin’s Creed Freedom Cry expansion, it will feature some missions for Adéwalé, as well as for Blackbeard, some that feature Edward's wife Caroline, and the aforementioned Jackdaw officers. In total, Ubisoft say that there will be six hours of new content, along with eight new endgame missions starring an all-new character.
You may also be pleased to know that when exploring the sea, it’s now more of a seamless experience, not interrupted by lengthy loading screens, which will increase player immersion in the game's vibrant and lush open-world. The map is also the same size as the original, but its environments will be denser, and there will be some new locations in certain cities.
All in all, I came away feeling very impressed with Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. While some may be disappointed that the whole game hasn't been overhauled, I believe that by making a ton of quality of life improvements, it not only honours the 2013 original but it also makes it feel somewhat of a modern release, which should be great news for old and new fans alike.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced looks better, plays better and has brand new content to boot. All the ingredients that any good remake could ever need, and hopefully, like many fans of the original, I can't wait for Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced to arrive on 9 July 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
READ MORE: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: 9 Biggest Changes We’re Most Excited About