Around a year ago, some online leaks suggested that Ubisoft was working on an Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Remake. Several months later, the studio officially announced Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced; the hit pirate game, reimagined. The original title was released back in 2013 for the PS3 and Xbox 360 generations. It was a successor to Assassin’s Creed 3, but the story worked as a prequel, following the life of Edward Kenway, grandfather of Connor and the father of Haytham Kenway.
The game was mostly well-received for its pirate theme, with criticism surrounding the world repetitiveness and tailing/eavesdropping missions that set you up for failure with questionable mission design. Black Flag Resynced promises to make things better, but where is this effort coming from? Is Ubisoft trying to save itself in its last moments?
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Does Ubisoft Need You To Play Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced?
The last few AAA titles that Ubisoft has dropped have received heavy criticism. It looks like the studio wanted to ensure financial success for a title by repeating an already successful one. Most studios that have remade a game, like Capcom with the Resident Evil franchise, for example, follow this pattern where they use an existing formula and remake it with current-gen graphics, with minor gameplay and technical tweaks.
So, taking Black Flag as the prototype for a remake only seems natural. After all, no other AAA title has ever come so close to being a well-received pirate game. Ubisoft tried expanding upon this fanbase with Skull & Bones, but the game died down quickly. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, however, is receiving several positive reviews.
Ubisoft has reintroduced the old parkour system with side and back ejects. Additionally, they have changed the combat to feel more engaging while still being less difficult than what AC Unity had. The team also claims that they have made it so players are not frustrated by ship tailing and eavesdropping missions. Instead of resulting in mission failure, the game will now give you a different objective if you are unable to follow the primary objective.
If this formula works for a gaming giant like Ubisoft, fans may see the franchise taking a turn into more old-fashioned yet reimagined Assassin’s Creed games. A new AC title is reportedly in the works: Hexe. Maybe the development team will learn from the positives of Black Flag Resynced and apply them in the AAA stealth franchise moving forward.
