It's a mystical quest to the isle of Tortuga... amongst other places
It is common to hear film and TV enthusiasts claim that reboots rarely surpass the originals. However, gamers frequently request studios to remake their favourite titles, revitalizing them with contemporary technology.
Thirteen years after its initial release, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has been launched, capitalizing on advancements in graphics and gameplay.
What Will We Do With a Drunken Sailor?
Early 18th century Havana has received a significant uplift between the original game (left) and the remake (right)
Assassin's Creed is among the most popular gaming franchises, having sold approximately 230 million copies across its various editions. Having played every installment, I, like many gamers, consider Black Flag one of the best.
This acclaim largely stems from its exceptional setting—players assume the role of the fictional Welsh pirate Edward Kenway in the Caribbean during the 1700s.
While not the first game centered on piracy, it was by far the most successful, making Ubisoft's choice to remake it the first in the series unsurprising.
The game opens with pirate ships engaged in battle, quickly transitioning to a lush tropical island under a sunny sky. The visuals meet expectations for a major 2026 release.
Do you think Edward's feeding the turtle arrr-tichokes?
Early in the game, players are encouraged to dive underwater, revealing a stunning coral landscape. The developers emphasize the enhanced graphics, and the game performs well in this regard.
The remake is noticeably brighter than the original, which was released during the so-called "muddy era" of gaming, characterized by darker colours intended to create a gritty, realistic atmosphere. Although Black Flag debuted at the end of this period and was not the worst offender, it still exhibited these traits.
Sailing a ship looks a bit different in 2013 (left) and 2026 (right).
Now, the industry has moved beyond the "muddy era," and the new game features vibrant colours that suit the Caribbean setting.
Running Down to Cuba
The game, aiming to honor the original's legacy, is visually impressive.
Andy Farrant, co-editor of the YouTube channel Outside Xbox, expressed his enthusiasm to the BBC.
"I firmly believe Black Flag is the best Assassin's Creed game," he said.
Farrant noted that the only drawbacks were "the boring modern day bits," which replaced pirate life with office meetings and water cooler conversations in Montreal. These sections have been removed in the remake.
"The world and the characters of Black Flag is what made it so appealing," he added.
"The chance to dip back into that world with some shiny new visuals and more screentime for fan favourite characters like Edward Kenway, Anne Bonny and Stede Bonnet can only be a good thing."
The new underwater sections, complete with coral reefs, add a new layer of exploration to the game.
Some fans may regard Black Flag Resynced as a love letter to the original, while more cynical players might view it as a cash grab. If successful, it could generate significant revenue for Ubisoft.
This would provide some relief, as Ubisoft began 2026 by closing two studios, cancelling six games, and delaying seven others.
Remakes are a lucrative segment in the gaming industry. Gaming expert Christopher Dring explained this trend as often driven by "financial necessity."
"The big video games are taking longer to make, and to fill gaps in the schedules, you're getting major companies turn to older classics, dusting them off and sometimes updating them for a modern era," he said.
"These games are typically very successful... as an industry, this remake, remaster, nostalgia business has become big."
The Worst Old Ship That Ever Did Sail
While not always the best-looking game, the original Black Flag had its moments
The remake, like the original, offers a wide variety of activities, from swashbuckling and boarding ships to exploring Caribbean islands.
This variety is central to the original's appeal—you have a map, select a destination, and sail in search of treasure.
This concept echoes the success of titles like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker in the 2000s and Sid Meier's Pirates before that.
In a market where Mario Kart costs £75 and the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI is priced at £70, Assassin's Creed is available for £50.
Fans will appreciate Ubisoft's decision to buck current pricing trends, which may be fitting for a remake.
A lush cavern in the remake shows off the lighting capabilities of modern consoles
Despite the new assets and graphics, the game is fundamentally based on a 2013 release. Ubisoft faced numerous decisions regarding what to retain and modify.
Welsh actor Matt Ryan delivers an excellent performance, but some original animations—such as characters repeatedly biting and spitting out a cork from a bottle—might have been better left behind.
The game also suffers from a common issue in modern gaming: excessive hand-holding. In one instance, players have less than 10 seconds to solve a puzzle before a character provides the answer.
Combat mechanics blend elements from modern Assassin's Creed titles with timing-based battles from the original. This fusion is effective, though some features, like wielding hidden blades in combat, were not retained.
This combination of classic and contemporary combat exemplifies the game's strengths. If Ubisoft uses this approach as a model, more remakes in the series may follow.
Therefore, the question may not be whether the remake was worth the wait, but how long fans will have to wait for the next one.
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