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Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
Topic Started: Jan 6 2014, 06:43 PM (185 Views)
TheGreg
Administrator
Just when I thought I was done with the series after the disappointing third entry, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag comes along to deliver the franchise’s best installment yet.

The greatest innovation in Black flag is its naval gameplay, with the West Indies serving as the game’s expansive overworld.

It’s essential in any open world game that environmental exploration is truly compelling, and the game absolutely delivers in that respect. While many of the main missions deal with familiar series tropes, it’s what happens in between that leaves the greatest impression.

The sense of discovery in finding new locations, underwater wrecks, and buried treasures is fantastic.

It’s also a consistent joy to engage in piracy. Naval battles are brilliantly realized, with an impressive selection of weaponry. Mortars, broadside cannons (With various ammunitions types), fire barrels, swivel guns and rams; all of these weapons are upgradeable and satisfying to use.

In addition to money, these upgrades also require resources. Metal, wood, and cloth are needed, but can only be obtained in significant quantities by incapacitating and boarding English or Spanish ships.

Although doing this can become repetitive, it never becomes tedious, and earning the various upgrades is necessary and a constant motivation. There are several legendary ships throughout the game. Taking them on is completely optional, but are a fun challenge that requires an outrageously badass ship and some decent strategy.

The main campaign almost seems like an aside compared to the fun of just exploring the world and beefing up your ship.

The campaign does do one thing absolutely right, and that’s its story.

Edward Kenway makes for a great lead character. He’s a dashing rogue whose evolution over the course of the game is outstandingly developed thanks to the great performance by Matt Ryan and a memorable supporting cast.

I was struck by how well written Edward’s story was, especially as it reaches a surprisingly emotional climax.

Unfortunately the modern day storyline (as has been the case in all the games) doesn’t fare as well. Thankfully, it’s far less intrusive this time and has an interesting ‘game within a game’ approach as our faceless character delves into the memories of series protagonist Desmond Miles.

Luckily, Desmond was axed in the previous game and his completely bland personality is not missed in the slightest. What an awful, dull character he was. But thankfully, that’s in the past now.

Part of Black Flag’s appeal is also its visuals. Art direction is outstanding, and the graphics are quite excellent. I played on PS4, and there are some incredible examples of the next gen tech in action. Draw distance and detail are outstanding. The animation of the waves alone is incredible.

The mountains of Kingston look photo real and there were moments where weather effects (Such as rain and blowing bushes) had me in awe of the game’s detail.

The game’s score by Brian Tyler is also quite good, even if it veers a bit too close to the sound of the Pirates of the Caribbean films at times.

Black Flag is a rare sequel that can be recommended even if you aren’t an avid fan of the franchise it comes from. For anyone with an interest in the subject matter and time period, it is a definite recommendation. The game’s open world is extraordinary, even if the main missions leave a bit to be desired. The naval gameplay is phenomenal and the standalone period story is surprisingly good.
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