Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced

True to the spirit of the original, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced retains the essence that made its predecessor a hit. It’s still an open-world action-adventure game that blends stealth, combat, fast-paced movement, and naval battles. The difference lies in the graphics, which have been significantly improved compared to the 2013 title. More in line with current standards, the game boasts stunning visuals, a completely revamped combat system, and all-new narrative content.

Combat has been completely reimagined around parrying and finishing moves. Gone are the somewhat formulaic automatic combos from the original game—replaced by more dynamic moves, smarter enemies, and the ability to interact with destructible objects right in the heat of battle. Parkour, meanwhile, is back and smoother than ever. Movement feels more natural within the environment, and escaping after an assassination is much easier. When it comes to stealth, you’ll find the same core mechanics that let you blend into the crowd, whistle to lure isolated guards, or use bushes and tall grass to hide.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has also enhanced the naval aspect of combat on the water. The game features the same spectacular battles that defined an entire generation. At the helm of the Jackdaw, players can board enemy ships with their crew, fire upon opposing vessels, hunt whales or sharks, or travel to various locations to dive among sunken wrecks. Resynced even adds new alternative firing modes, introduces several officers with special abilities that can be activated in combat, and features brand-new encounters with privateers and pirates who actually existed. Most importantly, the loading screens between the open sea and major cities have been removed, which is a real plus for immersion.

The game is based on a historical recreation of the three major colonial cities of the Caribbean. Players can explore several famous landmarks that they can climb, infiltrate, or simply admire. Havana is probably the city with the most historic buildings. There, you’ll find the Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro—the iconic fortress built starting in 1589 to protect the harbor entrance from pirate and privateer raids. The Castillo de la Real Fuerza, meanwhile, was completed in 1577 and was originally used to defend the bay before being converted into the governor’s official residence. Further on, players can admire the imposing religious building from the 1580s, the Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís, which overlooks the Plaza de San Francisco.

Finally, the Old Havana district and the Plaza de la Catedral are also worth visiting, with their cobblestone streets, arcades, and colonial palaces. In Nassau, the focus is on Fort Nassau, the nerve center of the famous Pirate Republic proclaimed by Benjamin Hornigold in 1713. It was here that figures such as Blackbeard and Jack Rackham were often seen. In Kingston, Fort Charles—an English stronghold—protected the former Jamaican capital and served as a strategic hub in the British Caribbean. Outside the cities, visitors can also explore numerous Mayan temples, notably those at Tulum, as well as the Precursor Observatory, which serves as a central location in the plot.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is available in three editions, all of which are paid: the Standard Edition, the Deluxe Edition, and the Collector’s Edition. The Collector’s Edition includes all the Deluxe Edition content, a 31-centimeter Edward Kenway figurine, a leather logbook, a metal pin, an exclusive Steelbook, a fabric map, and the sheet music for a new sea shanty. Note that only the pre-order offer came with the Blackbeard’s Crimson Pack.

To extend Edward Kenway’s adventure, there’s nothing quite like taking a detour through other iconic titles in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Here are three alternatives that, each in their own way, complement or shed light on the experience offered by Black Flag Resynced.

Released in 2012 and remastered in 2019, Assassin's Creed III is inextricably linked to Black Flag Resynced. Why? Ratonhnhaké:ton—aka Connor, the half-Mohawk, half-English hero of the American Revolution—is none other than Edward Kenway’s grandson. As you play through this third installment, you’ll explore the ins and outs of this historical period while experiencing the early days of naval battles (aboard a ship called the Aquila). From Boston to New York, through incredibly dense forests, this pivotal installment is a must-play.

Much like Assassin's Creed III, Assassin's Creed Origins marks a major turning point for the franchise. Developed by Ubisoft Montreal under the leadership of Ashraf Ismail—who previously helmed Black Flag—the game is set in Ptolemaic Egypt in 49 B.C., during the time of Cleopatra and Caesar. You play as Bayek of Siwa, a Medjay whose journey literally gives rise to the Brotherhood of Assassins. It’s also the first game in the series to adopt an RPG-style approach, complete with a skill tree and equipment loot. And what an open world!

Assassin's Creed Shadows transports players to feudal Japan in 1579, in the midst of the Sengoku period, under the rule of the daimyo Oda Nobunaga. The game follows the same format as the Victorian-era Assassin's Creed Syndicate, featuring two playable protagonists. Players take on the role of Naoe, a young shinobi from the province of Iga. She specializes in stealth, the grappling hook, and gadgets. In contrast, Yasuke is a samurai of African descent (a historical figure) who relies on direct combat and brute strength. With its dynamic seasonal system and extraordinary graphics, Shadows is definitely worth checking out.