Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Developer: Ubisoft Singapore
Publisher: Ubisoft
Price: $59.99 / £49.99 / €59,99
For the first time in nearly 13 years, Ubisoft Singapore is bringing Black Flag back onto shore for an expanded look at what many Assassin’s Creed fans regard as the best entry in the franchise. Developed on the newest version of the Anvil engine, the game has been constructed from the ground up. It’s not just a typical remaster, Black Flag: Resynced is a full-scale remake of the sword-slinging classic.
This brings with it new tech such as ray traced lighting and reflections, which promise to beam new rays of sun into a world that already shines bright in its own right. Aside from lighting, we also get treated to brand new water physics and ocean exploration, a previously unexplored side of Black Flag.
Perhaps one of the most intriguing parts of Resynced, is the advertised combat changes, which boast a completely rebuilt way of taking the fight to your enemies. A new and improved parry system has been added, along with melee combat putting a focus on hitbox-based dueling. These changes supposedly lead to far more immersive combat scenes, crucial to the overall feel of the game.
But just how good is Resynced, and is it worth your time? Let’s take a look.
Our review of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced was conducted with on the PC version on Steam.
Highs
Combat Feels Fantastic
Prior to launch, Resynced drew fire for its polarizing combat changes. Fans of the original disliked Ubisoft removing features like hidden blade combat. There was also some negative buzz about animals having RPG-like health bars, which some said cheapened the feel of the game. Despite these criticisms, the game deserves credit for the quality of combat in the final product.
Now, perfectly parrying enemies in sword fights or blasting foes with your trusty pistols feels weighty when needed and slick when the game demands you react quickly. Countering a Spanish officer’s swipe and returning offense with a neck slash never got old in my 40+ hours.
Improvements such as animations from previous Assassin’s Creed games like Unity keep on-the-fly takedowns fresh without losing authenticity, especially for returning veterans of the series.
Regarding the hidden blade issue, I will absolutely say its absence is felt if you’re a fan of the original. That being said, what remains is not bad by any means. Using rope darts for a scorpion-style finisher felt badass in a way only Edward Kenway could pull off in the 1700s. Well-timed kicks or sweeps made fights fun in ways I didn’t expect from a game criticized for removing core features.
I don’t think it’s entirely out of the question for Ubisoft to try and add hidden blade combat later down the line, but I won’t hold my breath. In the meantime, I’m still going to be slashing pirates with my arsenal of swords, and blasting riflemen with my own set of pistols. It’s too much fun to simply stop and pretend otherwise.
A World Brimming With Adventure
While Resynced aims to carry over almost all of the main Black Flag content, Ubisoft Singapore decided they would also add to the world where it counts. This includes new content ranging from expanded underwater exploration to brand-new endgame missions not featured in the original Black Flag. I love this because it sets this title apart from the original in a way that demands you pick it up, regardless of whether or not you completed everything the original had to offer.
Speaking of which, towns like Havana have now undergone almost complete overhauls, with various parts of the level design added to improve parkour flow. If you compare the gameplay layout of Havana’s original alleyways to Resynced, you’ll notice immediate differences between the two, which really hammer the nail down on this game being a true remake.
Furthermore, what is probably my biggest compliment to Resynced happens to be the new ultimate weapon upgrades and naval officers for the Jackdaw. With sailing and naval combat being such an integral part of Black Flag, it was a relief to see the developers pay such close attention to it within Resynced. I spent countless hours figuring out new ways to attack with the expanded arsenal granted by the harbourmaster, dropping enemy brigs in devastating fashion.
There’s so much on display to love about the new additions to this remake that I admittedly found it rather difficult to move along with the main story. One hour turned into two, and before I knew it, it was 6 AM. Yet here I was, still stuck in the joining mission to cap off a sequence. It’s not too often that I’ll sit down and play a game that genuinely feels like a AAA experience, but sure enough, this one ticks the premium box for me.
The craziest part about what I’ve just praised is that there’s still just so much more adventure for me to set out on, even as I write this review. The world feels gargantuan, and I’m constantly clocking in for more shifts at sea each night to take up new voyages to find secrets I’ve missed or side missions I’m yet to be consumed by. I’m loving every second of it.
Next Gen Visuals
Gameplay is understandably the focus for returning Black Flag players, but I must point out that games releasing in today’s market often have to look the part, too. In the case of Resynced, it ticks that box with flying colors. There is no doubt in my mind that the Black Flag remake is one of the best-looking games released in recent memory.
Perhaps the biggest display of graphical advancement is the sheer amount of vegetation now added to the world. Previously flat, smooth grass plains are now thick, teeming gardens densely populated with shrubs and bushes.
On islands tailor-made for pirates to bury treasure and rest between voyages, I don’t think I’ve played a game with beaches so full of life, or caves that convey loneliness and seclusion quite like this.
Animals that once could be seen approaching from a mile away now rustle through ferns, disturbing the environment as they sneak up on you. Hunting now feels like a completely separate game from the ship-sinking pirate simulator you’ll find when on the open sea.
Outside of the improvements mentioned above, towns feel more alive with dynamic objects and additional details populating the many streets. You’ll quickly find solace when sprinting down claustrophobic alleyways, knocking over junk as you climb scattered furniture to reach the overgrown, tiled rooftops. The environment, lighting, and level design teams have all done a fantastic job not only updating but breathing new life into the game. I cannot stress enough just how beautiful it is.
Lows
“Remake” Shouldn’t Always Mean “Remove”
While one of Resynced's biggest changes was removing a hugely beloved feature in hidden blade combat, I’d argue there are other issues just as unfortunate. The immediate flaw that comes to mind is how so many aspects of Black Flag have been either changed around for little to no reason or just outright removed.
The clearest example of this is the decision to prevent you from picking up enemy weapons. This was a feature in the original game that so many players loved, and yet it’s seemingly absent here in Resynced. No more disarming guards for their throwing knives, and no more picking up muskets to roleplay as a British infantry soldier. It’s unfortunate to see, and whether or not I had fun with the existing combat system does not change how sad it is to watch features get cut down.
I think the biggest problem for me is that whenever a change has been made in Resynced, it sometimes feels like it was at the cost of another feature. I love the combat I got to master in Resynced, but I would’ve loved it even more with the added depth provided by the original. Why can’t I have both? I’m playing a remake which, while changes are expected, I also expect it to improve upon existing aspects of the OG by adding to it in creative ways. Taking features away has the opposite effect, and that’s really unfortunate.
Parkour Still Needs Improvements
In the build-up to Resynced’s release, there was substantial community discourse about parkour. While it didn’t look unplayable by any means, some pointed out that it had a sort of stop-start feel. What they meant was that parkour moves felt like they played out in stop-motion, rather than as a single smooth motion. Instead of being in awe with every skip, swing, and mantle, it was clear where each move began and ended.
And yes, improvements were made in response to this criticism, but sadly, I still feel like the parkour in Resynced needs some extra love. Oftentimes during my playthrough, I felt as though, instead of floating from one jump to another, there was a queue of sorts that was handcuffing me on the way to my destination.
Getting over a low wall has to be one of the most frustrating. Instead of simply going up and over, you have to jump on and then launch yourself off. No dropping or simple stepping off. At least not that I could find. Not very subtle or helpful when trying to stay hidden.
It could just be rose-tinted glasses, but I don’t recall parkour feeling like this in the older games. I’m sure they had their fair share of flaws, the movement in Resynced sometimes feels just straight up awful to engage with. An extension of this is in the movement prediction hiccups. Too many times, I’ll chase after a shanty and try to leap to a distant branch, only for Edward to dive in the complete opposite direction.
All of this to say, I don’t think the movement in Resynced renders the game unplayable. It’s clear improvements have been made, and I really do hope they continue. As it currently stands, it’s in an acceptable state, but too often I found myself screwing up satisfying combat sequences by accidentally launching myself off in random directions.
Gear Feels Like An Afterthought
During my time with Resynced, I can't recall a single moment where I felt like my choice in weapon actually mattered. At no point during my playthrough did I feel like an upgrade for either my pistol or my sword was necessary.
While later rarity gear is sure to bring higher damage and new abilities, the price to pay never really felt justified. I also can’t say I ever felt like choosing not to upgrade slowed my progression in a meaningful manner, or hindered the creativity of my combat skills.
I feel this is in part due to one of the biggest changes in Resynced: shops now need to be upgraded in order to see new equipment. This is done through Edward Kenway’s manor, which now has an overhauled progression mechanic tied to it. But there’s just one big problem…
While this might seem like a nitpick, it’s a big change from the original Black Flag, where a large selection of weapons was available from the jump. Not just that, but both of our team members who had keys for this title ran into the same issue. Despite unlocking this feature early in Sequence 4, after completing “This Old Cove,” the game seemingly does not clearly inform you of this new upgrade path.
Be it a bug or just a case of two people missing an obvious tutorial, at no point did this change feel like something you’d naturally stumble across. As such, if there were ever a well-timed upgrade, it was easily looked past due to this hiccup.
Our Score
8.5/10 (A Treasure of a Remake)
Overall, we’re giving Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced an 8.5. It’s a fantastic retelling of a beloved story, enhanced and improved in many ways, but it leaves you with a subtle feeling of wanting more.
With exploration, combat, stealth, and sailing all feeling exceptional alongside incredible updated visuals, it’s an excellent entry point for new players.
Most returning veterans will remember glimmers of the original, but more than anything, it will feel like a new experience. It’s familiar but exciting and fun, bringing back what you loved about the original without feeling like you’re replaying for the nostalgia.
That being said, those who do have strong memories of the 2013 version will likely miss the hidden blade combat and use of enemy weapons. It just doesn’t feel like that Black Flag.
Despite the debates over what should or shouldn’t have returned, I truly believe Black Flag: Resynced is a great game that’s well worth your money. My 40 hours of playtime absolutely flew by. Turns out when you remake such a classic game, you’re likely to turn up gold.
Main Reviewer: Eric Russo (originally published July 8, 2026)
