Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Reviews

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is ranked in the 95th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Dec 9, 2013

It feels odd and slightly insulting to be given the option to rate missions, as it implies that the designers still don't know what works or, worse, that they want to better pander to gamers.

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7 / 10
Oct 28, 2013

Flawed yet addictive, Assassin's Creed may be in need of a change.

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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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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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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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8 / 10.0
Nov 19, 2013

The game looks absolutely beautiful, is jam packed with things to do, and as ever, the combat is a joy to fiddle with. But for next year? Ubisoft, it's called Assassin's Creed: make me feel like one.

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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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8 / 10
Dec 10, 2013

The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Assassin's Creed IV may not feature additional content not found on other platforms, but the visual improvement alone makes the game a must-have. Both Sony platforms (PS3 & PS4) feature the only platform exclusive content, involving the heroine of the Vita game; Aveline. Although Black Flag is a beautiful game with an incredible wave and weather system, the PS4 version in particular is awe inspiring. Shortly after the game released on the PlayStation 4, Ubisoft was true to their word, updating the game to include native support for 1080p. The visuals are simply matched with clouds of smoke impairing your vision during heated ship battles as cannons fire, shallow waters are crystal clear and thunderstorms at sea are amazingly treacherous.

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8 / 10
Dec 12, 2013

The Assassin's Creed series is teetering on the brink of saturation. Credit to Black Flag for escaping that fate thanks to its interesting and innovative mechanics. Naval exploration brings in several additional hours of gameplay, which along with its competent plot contribute to make Black Flag the best Assassin's Creed game since the second chapter of the series.

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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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Dec 4, 2013

If pirating and plundering with some stealth on the side sounds mouthwatering to you, chances are you want to get into this, no matter what you thought of Assassin's Creed III. We're more than glad to see the franchise continuing in the right direction. Consider us surprised that pirates didn't turn out to be the most cliche experience in the universe.

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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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8 / 10
Jul 12, 2022

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag doesn't always sail a straight course, but this is still an excellent entry in an occasionally choppy property. Clumsy traversal mechanics and some dire mission types prevent the release from reaching legendary status, but the slick naval combat, luxurious landscapes, and surprisingly compelling online suite make this a package worth plundering. If the series continues in this entry's direction, then there'll be no reason for Ubisoft to drop the anchor on its alternate history escapades just yet.

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8 / 10
Nov 22, 2013

Like its winsome protagonist, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is fixated on pursuing the riches of high-seas piracy and seems reluctant to be drawn into convoluted Templar plots. The most self-aware Assassin's Creed title to date, and one that makes the most of some aging mechanics.

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Dec 2, 2013

Black Flag takes a sharp left turn from the series' traditional progression, but the ways in which it diverges are what make it one of the most purely entertaining games in the franchise.

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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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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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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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IGN
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Oct 28, 2013

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is a gorgeous, fantastic sequel that gives you the freedom to make your own fun.

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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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