Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Reviews

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is ranked in the 95th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8.5 / 10.0
Nov 17, 2013

The debut trailer for Assassin's Creed IV depicted a tipsy Blackbeard profiling the suave and stylish Edward Kenway. The famed pirate tells the stories of this elusive man and his hierarchy in the ranks of other pirates. He ends the trailer by saying, "If it's fortune and adventure you seek, then Captain Edward Kenway is your man," following Kenway's subtle dispatching of a guard before walking off with a woman, a smirk on his face. Edward was portrayed as a cool, collected man and Assassin's Creed IV an adventure heavily focused on pirate culture. As it turns out, that is not what it is.

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87 / 100
Nov 10, 2013

It’s hard to wrap around all the elements Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag possesses. Despite a nonsensical story and flawed multiplayer, the sheer vastness of its connected content drowns out any discrepancy.

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8 / 10
Nov 9, 2013

The sign of a fantastic open world can be found in its ability to effortlessly suck you into even the most insignificant of activities, and Black Flag excels on that front. Wii U owners looking for an expansive, value-packed adventure should surely set their sails for the Caribbean. There's plenty of gold for the taking.

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Nov 7, 2013

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is a wonderfully harmonious game. It's enormous, packed with more things to see and do than ever before, but Ubisoft have managed to make every little thing mean something in tangible, impactful terms. Black Flag is a wonderful piratical romp that manages to revive the stealthy focus of earlier series instalments, whilst delivering an outstanding naval sandbox, an excellent setting and story, and lashings of swashbuckling action. Unmissable.

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GameGrin
Top Critic
9.5 / 10.0
Nov 6, 2013

Black Flag presents a game world that is wonderfully historic, yet incredibly fun. Being a pirate is one of those childhood fantasies I'd love to live and ACIV brings me one step closer. Probably as close as I'm going to get without the help of an actual animus.

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Nov 5, 2013

"Assassin's Creed IV" is very different from the five games that preceded it, but proves that a little change can be a good thing.

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8 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2013

There is no denying that this game is excellent. It will be even better on next generation platforms - AC IV simply outstrips the ability of current consoles. However, it is still a fantastic play and easily tops the list of best sandbox games you can get.

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Game Debate
Felix Nova
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Nov 3, 2013

But for now, let me finish by saying AC4 is worth your money. It's as beautiful and calming as it is challenging and rewarding. Ever since I was a child I have wanted to sail around the magnificent 18th century sun kissed Caribbean islands, with my own ship and crew, ready to plunder anything that sparkles. And now we all can in Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag.

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Nov 1, 2013

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag puts the franchise back on track with a gorgeous huge open world that's ripe for exploration. The innovative iPad or Android tablet companion app is a fun and informative extension to game play.

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9 / 10.0
Oct 30, 2013

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is essential gaming for anyone who has ever dreamed of running up the Jolly Roger and taking whatever they can carry from His Majesty's holds.

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8 / 10.0
Oct 29, 2013

In taking and refining the best bits of previous games, Ubisoft is admittedly treading water and, some would say, stagnating. The eavesdropping should really be, well, dropped but those moments of frustration and repetition are far outweighed by the lure of the sea. Not a flagship title for the series then, but one that will delight fans and newcomers alike.

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Oct 29, 2013

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is a polished and all-encompassing experience, which pits players into the role of an eighteenth century pirate named Edward Kenway. While it doesn't blow its predecessors out of the water by presenting anything revolutionary, it provides fans with a fine-tuned and expanded take on its series' core foundations.

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Oct 29, 2013

'Refreshing' could be applied to several aspects of the game's design, with performances and an attention to detail that place it among – if not ahead – of the franchise's best. And with no discernible shortcomings when placed next to its American-Revolution-predecessor, Black Flag is the step into next-gen that many fans have been waiting for.

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8 / 10.0
Oct 29, 2013

Assassin's Creed IV owns its corniness. It might lack self-awareness, but it has no shortage of confidence, and that's as exciting as getting your own boat and pirate hat.

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games(TM)
games™ Team
Top Critic
Unscored
Oct 29, 2013

If the series insists on keeping this modern day hook, this is the way to do – unobtrusive, quick and painless but with the capacity for exploration. Assassin's Creed III was sadly something of a disappointment, but Ubisoft Montreal must be commended for learning from its mistakes. The endless problems of easy combat and sticky, simple running may return but the rest is entertaining enough to make up for it. An energetic new protagonist, a focus on piracy and pillaging, excellent naval combat and a huge, beautiful open world make Black Flag an easy game to recommend, and a decent way to kick off the next generation.

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8.8 / 10.0
Oct 29, 2013

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is the most fun and entertaining installment in Assassin's Creed series. Being a Pirate assassin and elements like sea battles, ship customization, hunting, and missions in the deep of the ocean, make this game amazing. After all, Who does not like to play as a pirate?!

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8.3 / 10.0
Oct 29, 2013

Fun when you're chasing down your interests, but the enthusiasm deflates when working through the campaign missions

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Polygon
Top Critic
7.5 / 10.0
Oct 28, 2013

Assassin's Creed 4 is constantly waiting for its dare-to-be-great moment

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7 / 10
Oct 28, 2013

Frustratingly shallow and hamstrung by underdeveloped gameplay mechanics, and yet somehow the fact that that an open world pirate game exists at all is enough to provide a certain amount of fun.

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9 / 10
Oct 28, 2013

Easily the most ambitious Assassin's Creed game in years, Black Flag is an outstanding adventure by any standard.

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