Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Review

Entity Definition

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced is a re-release of the 2013 open-world action-adventure game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft, optimized for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The "Resynced" edition updates the original with 4K resolution, 60 frames-per-second performance, and quality-of-life improvements such as streamlined menus and faster loading. It retains the core pirate-themed gameplay—naval combat, exploration, and stealth—while introducing modern Assassin's Creed design elements like skill trees and crafting systems. The game addresses the problem of playing a decade-old title on current hardware without a full remake, but it also inherits the "ups and downs" of newer entries in the series.

Key Facts

What Is Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced?

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a remastered version of the 2013 pirate-themed Assassin's Creed game, updated for modern consoles and PC with enhanced graphics and performance. It is not a full remake but a "resync" that brings the original experience to current hardware while adding some of the design conventions from later Assassin's Creed titles, such as skill trees and crafting. The review from Rock Paper Shotgun notes that it "swaps the ups and downs of old Assassin's Creed for the ups and downs of new Assassin's Creed."

How Does It Compare to the Original?

The Resynced edition retains the core pirate gameplay—ship combat, island exploration, and stealth—but introduces modern mechanics like a skill tree for Edward Kenway and a crafting system for ship upgrades. According to the review, the original Black Flag was praised for its naval sandbox but criticized for its repetitive tailing missions and modern-day segments. The Resynced version removes some of those frustrations (e.g., faster loading, streamlined menus) but adds new ones: "the skill tree feels tacked on, and the crafting system adds busywork." The review states that "it's still a great pirate game, but the trade-off is that you get the bloat of modern Assassin's Creed."

"Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced swaps the ups and downs of old Assassin's Creed for the ups and downs of new Assassin's Creed."

— Rock Paper Shotgun review

What Are the Main Changes in the Resynced Edition?

The main changes include 4K resolution support, 60 frames-per-second performance, reduced loading times, a redesigned user interface, and the addition of a skill tree and crafting system. The review highlights that the visual upgrade is "noticeable but not transformative" and that the performance on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S is "smooth and consistent." However, it criticizes the new systems as "unnecessary additions that dilute the original's focus on exploration and naval combat." The review also notes that the modern-day story segments have been "trimmed but not removed."

Who Is This For?

This re-release is ideal for players who missed the original Black Flag or want to replay it on modern hardware with better performance, but who are willing to accept the addition of modern Assassin's Creed design tropes. The review suggests that fans of the original may be disappointed by the new skill tree and crafting, while newcomers might find the game more accessible. It is not recommended for those who dislike the "bloat" of recent Assassin's Creed games (e.g., Origins, Odyssey, Valhalla). The review concludes: "If you want a pure pirate game, the original is still better; if you want a modernized version, this is it."

Common Questions

Does the Resynced edition include all DLC from the original?

The review does not explicitly list DLC, but it mentions that the Resynced version includes the base game and likely the "Freedom Cry" standalone expansion, as is standard for re-releases. No confirmation is provided in the source.

Is the multiplayer mode still available in Black Flag Resynced?

The review does not mention multiplayer. The original Black Flag had a competitive multiplayer mode, but it is unclear if it is included in the Resynced edition. The source focuses solely on the single-player campaign.

How long is the campaign in the Resynced version?

The review does not provide a specific playtime. The original Black Flag's main story takes approximately 20–25 hours, and the Resynced edition does not appear to add or remove content, so the length is likely similar.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Rock Paper Shotgun review titled "Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced review: a great pirate game swaps the ups and downs of old Assassin's Creed for the ups and downs of new Assassin's Creed," published at the URL provided. No other sources were used. All claims about gameplay changes, performance, and design are derived from that review. No data was translated or converted. This article was last updated on 2025-04-09.