It’s been almost 13 years since Assassin’s Creed Black Flag first launched, and funnily enough, I was 13 years old when I played it for the first time. It quickly became my favourite entry in the series, and even today, I’m surprised so few developers have managed to capture the magic of a true pirate adventure.
This automatically made Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced a daunting prospect. Ubisoft promised meaningful changes to modernise the experience, but I worried those updates might strip away what made the original so memorable. Thankfully, that isn’t the case.
While not every addition makes as big a splash as Ubisoft might have hoped for, Black Flag Resynced proves to be the definitive way to experience one of Ubisoft’s greatest games.
In A World Without Gold…
Revisiting the story after all these years was surprisingly refreshing. As a teenager, I barely paid attention to Edward Kenway’s journey, instead spending most of my time sailing the Caribbean, hunting ships, and searching for treasure. This time around, I found a greater appreciation for Edward’s arc as he gradually learns the cost of chasing freedom and fortune.
The remake does make some significant narrative changes. Most notably, every Abstergo and Animus sequence has been removed, while Ubisoft has introduced new side missions and three Naval Officers who add extra flavour to the supporting cast.
Unfortunately, neither change feels particularly transformative. The side missions are forgettable, and although the Naval Officers have useful gameplay benefits, they don’t dramatically improve the narrative. Meanwhile, removing the Animus sections creates an oddly disjointed experience.
Edward still enters mysterious void-like sequences after key assassinations, while new Rift missions introduce intriguing “what if?” scenarios that assume players already understand the wider Assassin’s Creed mythology. For newcomers, those moments may feel confusing and out of place, rather than mysterious.
The core story remains enjoyable, even if it occasionally feels unfocused, and Ubisoft wisely modernises some of the more frustrating mission designs. Follow and eavesdrop objectives no longer force an instant desynchronisation if you’re spotted, making stealth encounters far less punishing and allowing for much greater player freedom.
Combat Finds Its Sea Legs
The biggest surprise is the revamped combat.
When Ubisoft revealed it would move towards a more action-focused system, I feared it would resemble the RPG-heavy direction of the newer Assassin’s Creed games. Instead, the remake finds a satisfying middle ground.
Combat revolves around light attacks, parries, and finishers. Breaking an enemy’s guard or perfectly timing a parry opens them up for an instant kill, creating encounters that reward patience instead of mindless button mashing. Add pistols, gadgets, and well-timed dodges into the mix, and fights become surprisingly cinematic.
It isn’t flawless.
Larger encounters can still devolve into chaotic hack-and-slash battles, and enemies can randomly attack you when you think they’re targeting someone else, but whenever you play reactively rather than aggressively, the system feels fluid and satisfying.
Stealth remains largely unchanged, which is both a blessing and a curse. Sneaking through plantations, forts, and jungles is enjoyable enough, but I often found myself abandoning stealth after thinning out a few guards simply because open combat was more engaging. It works, but it still feels secondary to the game’s stronger systems, such as the real star of the show.
Naval combat.
Even in 2013, ship battles were exceptional, and Resynced makes them even better. New secondary fire options give every weapon more tactical flexibility, while the Naval Officers provide passive bonuses that encourage different playstyles, whether that’s strengthening your ram or improving your defensive capabilities.
The upgrade loop remains just as addictive. Every successful battle feeds directly into improving the Jackdaw, making each voyage feel rewarding. Boarding enemy ships, defeating their crew, and claiming valuable resources is still one of the most satisfying gameplay loops Ubisoft has ever designed.
The Open Sea Still Beckons
The Caribbean is every bit as beautiful as I remembered.
Modern visuals breathe new life into dense jungles, bustling settlements, and crystal-clear oceans, making exploration consistently rewarding. Even the optional underwater sections are stunning enough to justify diving beneath the waves whenever the opportunity arises.
The open world still follows Ubisoft’s familiar formula of collectables, treasure maps, and side activities, but the setting remains so enjoyable that ticking off objectives rarely feels like a chore.
Traversal has also seen some nice upgrades. Parkour feels responsive and well-paced, with Edward’s momentum carrying him naturally across rooftops and trees. It isn’t perfect—you’ll still occasionally leap off a building when reaching for a tree, or off your ship when navigating rigging—but when everything clicks together, movement is incredibly satisfying.
My biggest complaint is the camera. It sits noticeably closer to Edward and far lower than I would have liked, often leaving me staring at his ankles instead of the environment around him. While I eventually adjusted, a slightly wider perspective would have made traversal and exploration feel more comfortable.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Verdict
After almost 40 hours, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced succeeds where it matters most. Ubisoft has carefully modernised one of the series’ best entries without sacrificing the pirate fantasy that made the original so beloved.
Not every new idea works. The narrative changes add little value, and removing the modern-day storyline makes parts of the plot feel strangely incomplete. But those shortcomings are outweighed by meaningful quality-of-life improvements, refined combat, expanded naval gameplay, and a stunning visual overhaul.
More than anything, Black Flag Resynced reminded me why this remains my favourite Assassin’s Creed. It may not be a perfect game, but it’s undoubtedly the definitive version of said game—and it once again proves that no one has quite matched Ubisoft’s take on the pirate adventure.
What do you make of Insider Gaming’s review of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced? Share your thoughts in the official Insider Gaming Discord Server.
For more Insider Gaming reviews, check out the following:
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
8
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Charlie is one of Insider Gaming's Guides Writers who's been in the gaming industry for a little over a year. Unfortunately for him, he enjoys every video game genre out…
More from Charlie Champion
