Ask an Murderer’s Creed fan what their favorite recreation within the sequence is, and relying on who you’re asking, the reply might fluctuate wildly. From a number of the earliest entries within the sequence like Murderer’s Creed 2 to a number of the more moderen ones like Murderer’s Creed Odyssey, there are a number of video games in Ubisoft’s flagship franchise which have a authentic declare to the crown of essentially the most beloved entry within the franchise. One specifically that stands tall for a lot of even now, greater than a decade on from its launch, is Murderer’s Creed 4: Black Flag.
Coming recent off of Murderer’s Creed 3, which was thought of by many to be a typically disappointing entry, there was a sizeable part of the sequence’ fanbase that was going into Black Flag with lowered expectations. With many, the truth is, there was a powerful feeling {that a} new recreation within the franchise shouldn’t be releasing so quickly after a significant flagship launch within the type of Murderer’s Creed 3. Given all of that, it’s truthful to say that Black Flag turned out to be a a lot, a lot higher recreation than a major variety of individuals had anticipated it might be previous to its launch, to the extent {that a} wholesome chunk of the sequence’ fanbase considers it to be absolutely the peak of Murderer’s Creed. For those who’ve performed the sport, you in all probability don’t want convincing that it’s very a lot worthy of the reward that it receives from all corners, after which some. In any case, he record of causes to like Murderer’s Creed 4: Black Flag is an extended one.
And when you’ve got any stage of familiarity with the sport, you’re nicely conscious of the factor that stands out most prominently as the sport’s defining element- its naval gameplay. Murderer’s Creed 3 launched a wholly new aspect to the sequence’ gameplay expertise within the type of naval traversal, exploration, and fight, and Ubisoft determined to crank that as much as eleven in its successor. In Black Flag, gamers have been let lose in an enormous open world recreation of eighteenth century West Indies, the place, as a pirate-slash-assassin and the captain of your personal ship, you had the liberty to discover the huge, attractive seas and the numerous islands scattered all through the infinite stretches of water.
It was a fully magical expertise. Severely, no quantity of superlatives feels prefer it’s sufficient to explain simply how good Murderer’s Creed 4: Black Flag’s naval fight and exploration have been. Whether or not you have been leisurely shifting on high of calm waters together with your crew singing jolly shanties within the background, or engaged in a livid alternate of artillery, canon fireplace, and what have you ever in naval battles that finish with exhilarating takeovers of hostile ships, otherwise you’re boldly steering your ship by means of colossal, indignant, violent waves in the midst of a black and indignant storm- irrespective of the way you’re participating with the sport in Murderer’s Creed 4: Black Flag’s open seas, the sport manages to maintain its hooks sunk deep into your flesh.
The entire pirate aesthetic and setting, the truth is, is certainly one of Black Flag’s greatest strengths as a recreation. On the time, when it got here out, it had its fair proportion of detractors within the sequence’ core fanbase who felt that it being as indifferent from the bigger Murderer’s Creed story because it was (particularly with its modern-day story) made it a much less important entry for the sequence. Many would let you know, nevertheless, that that was certainly one of its greatest strengths. Black Flag’s portrayal of pirate life, and the best way it blends that vibe with the sequence’ core assassins vs templars hook, in each story and gameplay was certainly one of its brightest highlights. No different recreation within the sequence may even hope to come back near Black Flag’s distinct aesthetic.
After all, whereas Black Flag’s pirate-infused gameplay components have been clearly its greatest components – from the extraordinary naval battles to exploring the seas – different components of the sport (those who have been rather more acquainted to followers of the sequence) additionally contributed to how nicely it turned out. The previous Murderer’s Creed system isn’t precisely ingenious design at this level, however regardless of its excessive familiarity, it stays an inherently robust framework- one which, extra importantly, Black Flag applied spectacularly.
Not solely was its open world a compelling one to discover, full with its many aspect actions and optionally available quests (nearly all of which have been, let’s face it, fairly darn formulaic), it additionally used its acquainted mix of stealth, fight, and parkour to nice impact all through its excellently designed marketing campaign. And, in fact, the sport was additionally very conscious of what its greatest strengths have been, which suggests a major proportion of its important story positioned greater than a bit little bit of emphasis on naval gameplay.
Greater than a decade on from its launch, for a lot of Murderer’s Creed 4: Black Flag stays the sequence’ greatest recreation for a lot of its followers. Ubisoft launched a number of extra video games utilizing that previous Murderer’s Creed template after Black Flag, whereas since 2017, it has additionally launched a number of video games which have adopted a brand new motion RPG system, however in all these years, with all of these a number of instalments, very hardly ever (if ever) has the franchise ever come near scaling the type of heights that it was capable of scale with Black Flag.
Whether or not or not we’re going to get an Murderer’s Creed recreation anytime quickly that can be capable of replicate the 2013 pirate masterpiece’s success is anybody’s guess, however curiously sufficient, if leaks are to be believed, Black Flag itself could also be coming again within the not too distant future. Current leaks have claimed {that a} remake of the 2013 title is in early growth at Ubisoft. Assuming that that’s correct, it’ll seemingly nonetheless be a handful of years earlier than it releases, although the query nonetheless must be asked- does Black Flag even want a remake?
Certain, it’s eleven years previous at this level, and gaps between video games and their remakes have been comparable (like with The Final of Us) and even shorter (like with the unique Resident Evil) previously. However regardless that Black Flag is greater than a decade previous, it doesn’t really feel like all a part of it wants a remake. The sport has aged remarkably nicely, each from a gameplay perspective and a technical and visuals one, which suggests one can’t assist however surprise how precisely Ubisoft goes to justify a full-fledged remake. Is it simply going to be a greater trying however in any other case conservative recreation of the unique recreation? Is it going to increase issues considerably by, say, having a bigger map? If it’s the previous, many are going to surprise why the remake even exists, whereas if it’s the latter, Ubisoft shall be operating a excessive danger of creating the type of adjustments to the unique that followers don’t recognize. Both manner, it’s a dangerous enterprise.
Given the immense legacy of the sport, nevertheless, it’s truthful to say that regardless that there shall be loads of questions requested about why it exists, if a remake of Murderer’s Creed 4: Black Flag is certainly formally introduced we’re going to be greater than prepared to present it an opportunity. The unique 2013 title was and stays an unabashed masterpiece, so any probability we get to re-experience it, we’ll take it in heartbeat.
Be aware: The views expressed on this article are these of the writer and don’t essentially symbolize the views of, and shouldn’t be attributed to, GamingBolt as a corporation.
