Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Review

From the time it released in 2013, Black Flag has always been my favourite Assassin’s Creed game, and that’s saying something considering how much I love the ancient Egypt setting of Origins and feudal Japan in Shadows. Those games have some of my favourite worlds in the entire franchise, but there has always been something special about Black Flag. It perfectly balanced storytelling, memorable characters, rewarding exploration, satisfying gameplay and fresh ideas in a way that the series has rarely matched since. It wasn’t just a fantastic Assassin’s Creed game. It was one of the best pirate games ever made. Thankfully, Resynced doesn’t try to reinvent that winning formula. Instead, it modernises it with meaningful improvements while respecting everything that made the original so beloved.

The story follows Edward Kenway, a charismatic Welsh pirate who is driven more by wealth and freedom than ideals. Unlike many protagonists throughout the series, Edward doesn’t begin his journey as an Assassin. Instead, he stumbles into the centuries-old conflict between the Assassins and the Templars after stealing the identity of a fallen Assassin. What starts as a quest for riches quickly becomes something much larger as Edward crosses paths with legendary pirates like Blackbeard, Charles Vane, Anne Bonny and Calico Jack while uncovering the secrets of the mysterious Observatory, a First Civilization device capable of incredible power.

One of the reasons I still love this story is how much Edward grows throughout the adventure. He’s flawed, selfish and reckless at the beginning, but the events that unfold slowly change him into someone worthy of carrying the Assassin legacy. His character arc remains one of the strongest in the franchise, and it’s supported by an outstanding cast that makes every victory and tragedy hit even harder. Even after all these years, I found myself just as invested in these characters as I was when I first played the original.

The gameplay loop remains as addictive as ever. You’ll spend your time travelling across the Caribbean, taking on story missions, exploring islands, infiltrating enemy forts, boarding ships, hunting for treasure and constantly improving both Edward and his ship, the Jackdaw. The game naturally alternates between on-foot exploration and naval gameplay, keeping things fresh throughout the entire experience.

Whenever you dock in towns like Havana, Nassau or Kingston, there’s always something worthwhile to do. You can climb viewpoints to reveal more of the map, complete assassination contracts, tackle Templar Hunts, collect Animus fragments, unlock hidden chests or simply wander through bustling streets packed with life. The world feels vibrant and lived in, and every location has its own identity.

Of course, no discussion of Black Flag would be complete without mentioning the naval gameplay. Sailing across the Caribbean still feels incredible, and Resynced makes it even better. Spotting enemy ships on the horizon, deciding whether to engage or avoid them, firing broadsides before boarding their decks and claiming valuable resources never gets old. Every naval encounter feeds directly into your progression, giving you materials needed to improve the Jackdaw and prepare for tougher encounters later in the game.

Progression feels rewarding because nearly everything you do contributes towards making Edward or the Jackdaw stronger. Better cannons, reinforced hull armour, improved mortars and stronger swivel guns all make a noticeable difference during combat. On the personal side, unlocking better weapons, armour and equipment gives Edward more options during stealth and combat encounters. What I especially like is that the game lets you prioritise upgrades that suit your own playstyle. If you prefer dominating naval combat, you can invest heavily in the Jackdaw. If you enjoy stealth and ground missions more, you can focus on Edward’s gear first. That flexibility gives progression a satisfying sense of ownership.

While the main story is excellent, a huge amount of my enjoyment came from simply exploring the world. Ubisoft absolutely packed the Caribbean with worthwhile side content, and unlike many open-world games, most of it is genuinely fun. Hunting exotic animals for crafting materials remains surprisingly enjoyable, encouraging you to venture onto remote islands filled with wildlife. Tracking down legendary ships creates some of the toughest and most memorable naval battles in the game, demanding a fully upgraded Jackdaw and careful strategy.

Collecting pirate sea shanties is still one of my favourite side activities. Chasing the floating pages across rooftops before your crew bursts into song while sailing across the ocean never loses its charm. Then there are the pirate treasure maps, which send you across the Caribbean deciphering clues to uncover hidden riches. Between diving for shipwreck treasure, liberating forts, uncovering relics, completing naval contracts and discovering countless secrets scattered across the map, there’s always another distraction waiting just over the horizon.

Resynced also introduces several welcome improvements that modernise the overall experience. The biggest and most obvious upgrade is the complete visual overhaul. Character models and environments have been recreated from the ground up while remaining faithful to the original art direction. Every island feels denser, vegetation is more detailed, towns are bustling with far more activity and the lighting dramatically enhances the atmosphere whether you’re sailing beneath a blazing sunset or navigating a tropical storm.

One of my favourite additions is the introduction of new companion mechanics during exploration, giving Edward more tactical options during certain missions while also making the world feel less lonely outside of major story moments. The removal of the original modern day office segments is another change I appreciated. While those sequences helped connect the larger Assassin’s Creed mythology back in 2013, they always interrupted the pacing. Here, the focus remains almost entirely on Edward’s adventure, creating a much smoother and more immersive experience.

Combat has also received one of the most significant overhauls. The original game’s combat was enjoyable but fairly simple, relying heavily on counter kills. Resynced makes every encounter more engaging by improving enemy behaviour, adding more varied attack patterns and encouraging a broader use of Edward’s weapons and tools. Sword fights now feel faster, more fluid and considerably more dynamic, while pistols, smoke bombs and other gadgets all have greater importance during combat. Enemies are smarter about surrounding you, forcing you to move more carefully instead of endlessly chaining counterattacks. It’s still approachable, but it offers much more depth than before.

Visually, this remake is absolutely stunning. The Caribbean has never looked better. Water simulation is particularly impressive, with waves crashing naturally against ships and coastlines while dynamic weather transforms the ocean into an unpredictable battlefield. Character faces feature dramatically improved detail, with far more expressive animations during conversations. The environments strike a great balance between nostalgia and modern technology. Every location still looks exactly how I remember it, but everything has been rebuilt with significantly higher detail and realism. It feels faithful rather than reimagined, and I think that’s exactly what this remake needed.

The performances remain another major highlight. Matt Ryan once again delivers an outstanding performance as Edward Kenway, bringing equal amounts of charm, humour and vulnerability to the role. His chemistry with the supporting cast elevates nearly every scene, and the relationships between the pirates feel authentic throughout the adventure. The emotional moments continue to land because the performances sell every triumph and every heartbreaking loss. Even years later, I still think this is one of the strongest casts in Assassin’s Creed history.

From a technical standpoint, I was consistently impressed throughout my time on PS5. The game ran exceptionally well from beginning to end. I never experienced any noticeable frame drops, even during massive naval battles packed with explosions and environmental effects. It felt like a locked 60 frames per second almost the entire time, making both combat and exploration incredibly smooth. Load times are also dramatically faster than the original release, helping keep the pacing moving without interruption.

What impressed me most is how well Black Flag’s core design has aged. The combination of exploration, progression, naval combat and storytelling still feels incredibly satisfying over a decade later. Every mechanic feeds naturally into the next, creating that entertainment loop that can keep you engaged for hours at a time. Few open world games manage that balance as successfully.

That said, there are still areas where I think the remake could have gone further. Some mission structures still show their age, particularly the stealth missions not being overhauled to make full use of the new stealth, movement and combat abilities. I also would have liked to see even more new story content or additional side missions to further justify returning for longtime fans who already know every corner of the Caribbean.

Even with those minor criticisms, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is everything I hoped it would be. It respects one of the greatest entries in the franchise while making enough meaningful improvements to help it stand comfortably alongside modern releases. The stunning visuals, smoother gameplay, overhauled combat, quality of life improvements and outstanding performance all combine to make this the definitive way to experience Edward Kenway’s unforgettable adventure.

More than a decade later, Black Flag still reminds me why it remains my favourite Assassin’s Creed game. It captures the fantasy of being a pirate better than almost anything else, while delivering one of the franchise’s strongest stories and most memorable protagonists. Resynced doesn’t replace those memories. It enhances them, proving that this classic still has plenty of wind left in its sails.

A PS5 review code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.

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