"Assassin's Creed" is, without a doubt, one of the biggest video game franchises of all time, and one title that has always been praised by both critics alike is "Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag."
13 years after the original game was released, Ubisoft has now released a remake called "Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced." But has it been well-received like the original game?
'Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced'
Developed and published by Ubisoft, "Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced" is actually the fifteenth main installment in the "Assassin's Creed" series despite it being a remake.
Like the original, "Black Flag Resynced" follows the story of pirate Edward Kenway during the later years of the Golden Age of Piracy. The remake offers upgraded gameplay and new content.
New pieces of content in the game include new storylines, new sea shanties, a photo mode, and even unexpected allies.
Watch the official world premiere trailer of the game below to get a better idea of what it offers to players.
What Do the Critics Say?
"Resynced" definitely has large to fill, so how has the remake fared in this regard?
IGN has given the game a score of nine out of 10, noting in its review that "More than just the game you remember but shinier and better looking, it's also an attempt to bring 'Black Flag's' systems and sensibilities up to today's standards."
"Even where it stumbles, like its long-standing issues with overly sticky free running or sometimes very dumb enemies, it never feels like a step backward," IGN adds. "As a result, there's never been a better time, or a better way, to return to the Golden Age of Piracy."
Over at Metacritic, "Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced" has a score of 84 based on 89 critic reviews.
PlayStation LifeStyle gave it a score of 90, saying that "Still, even with these minor narrative missteps, 'Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced' is a standout remake, taking the best bits of the original and sprucing them up for the modern era.
"This remake delivers a stunning visual overhaul of the Caribbean, particularly through its incredible water simulation and organic progression," Vandal says in its critic of the game. "Yet, the modernized combat sacrifices the classic power fantasy for clunky realism."
'Very Positive' Reviews on Steam
As for Steam, "Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced" has more than 17,000 user reviews as of press time. Steam has classified them under "very positive."
"Very faithful remake, but with much more content. The only thing I miss from the original is the ability to use enemy muskets," Steam user thobba89 said in a review. "Looks beautiful and runs like a dream with everything maxed out on my system. I am having an absolute blast!!"
Steam user starkiller667, on the other hand, has given "Resynced" a negative review, pointing out that "My biggest disappointment with Black Flag Resynced is the removal of unarmed combat and enemy disarming."
"Removing that mechanic makes the combat feel less varied and strips away one of the features that gave the original game so much personality," starkiller667 explained. "The updated version may look and feel smoother in other areas, but taking away player options is not an improvement. It is a clear downgrade from the original combat system."
