HAMBURG: It's the 18th century, and the notorious Welsh pirate Edward Kenway is cutting across the seas. He thirsts for adventure and riches. But wait – didn't we play this game in 2013?
Right you are: Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a remake, and Ubisoft does indeed tell the same story as before: Edward's rise.
For those unfamiliar with the tale: fate steers Edward's ship into the middle of a conflict between the Assassins, who fight for peace through freedom, and the Templars, who seek peace through control.
After killing the renegade Assassin Duncan Walpole in combat on an island, Edward assumes Duncan's identity. The pirate hopes to pocket a mysterious reward.
This reward had been promised to Duncan in a letter from the Spanish governor, which the dead man was carrying. And so Edward, posing as Duncan, sets off for Havana.
New historical figures, new storylines
But don't worry: Black Flag Resynced is not just a retelling of the old story. New historical figures such as naval officer and pirate hunter Robert Maynard are added to the mix. So too are new storylines for familiar faces such as the British pirate Blackbeard and the merchant Stede Bonnet.
These are no afterthoughts in the game, but connect seamlessly to the conflict between Templars and Assassins and slot into the current Assassin's Creed storyline.
Those who love the original Black Flag can look forward to answers to questions that have long gone unanswered, while newcomers will (not) notice the seamless story transitions.
Things really get going in the heat of Havana, where the parkour system takes centre stage, powered by Ubisoft's Anvil engine. This engine had already shown its smooth and swift capabilities in Assassin's Creed Shadows. Edward's fluid movements convey precisely that sense of freedom the original Black Flag was aiming for but which, in 2013, had been thwarted by the technical limitations of the time.
That is exactly what the addition of Resynced alludes to. The result: fluid movements and combat, as well as lively settings. Havana, Nassau and Kingston are no longer mere backdrops in the remake, but superb action playgrounds.
But the game offers more than just rooftop stealth and the assassinations that follow. The original was celebrated by players for its open world, in which pirates could sail freely across the seas aboard Edward's ship, the Jackdaw.
The Caribbean map – the second largest in the series' history – is an experience where almost every wave seems to carry danger. Storms now roll in mid-battle, turning the plundering of ships into a fight against enemies and the elements at once.
Diving for loot, hunting whales – all part of the pirate life
Boarding battles transition seamlessly from cannon fire to sabre combat – and again without the loading stutters of the 2013 version. The scattered wrecks on the seabed continue to lure in all those brave enough to dive for loot.
Hunting is also part of the package: a rowing boat takes you out to harpoon bull sharks, hammerhead sharks or humpback whales thrashing close to the ship. While hunting in the original was a genuine test of gaming skill thanks to clunky menus, the remake streamlines the process considerably.
Black Flag is a particularly beloved Assassin's Creed story – if not the most beloved of all. Countless gamers have remained loyal to it for more than a decade. Black Flag Resynced now delivers what amounts to the upgrade the original always deserved but which the technical constraints of its time prevented.
The whirl of twin sabres, the carefree life of a buccaneer and above all a well-told, gripping story: all of this drops anchor once more with this worthy remake. Around six hours of new content are on board, and before you can claim to have found all the loot the game has to offer, a good 50 hours of lively plundering will have passed.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is out on July 9 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, and costs around €60 or $60 (RM244). – dpa
