Summary
Despite every installment since its release,Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagis regarded as one of the best games in theAssassin’s Creedfranchise, with some fans even claiming it is the best overall. Some of that may be due to the game’s quality, but it also has some advantages, being the first game in the series to introduce a vast open world, as well as a unique pirate setting that sees players exploring a sprawling ocean for treasure and conquering enemy ships in intense naval battles. There is certainly a lot to love aboutAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, so the ongoing rumors that a remake is in the works are most welcome.
At this point, the rumors that anAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagremakeis in development have not been confirmed or denied by Ubisoft. As such, there’s absolutely no telling what a remake of the classic game might look like — whether it would be more of the same built with modern technology or an entirely different experience altogether. There is something to be said for going either way, but each route comes with its upsides and downsides.
The Rumored Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Remake Will Need to Choose Its Path Carefully
The Rumored Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Remake May Not Work as Little More Than a Polished Version of the Original Game
Remakes are tricky, as developers face the insurmountable task of recreating a popular classic in a way that both honors and evolves the DNA of the original. That sentiment would certainly be no less true ofAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, especially with a crowd of loyal fans who expect the heart and soul of theirfavoriteAssassin’s Creedgameto come out on the other side of the remake process mostly still there. The thing aboutAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagis that it’s already such a successful game that attempting to overhaul it completely might ruin it in the end.
In light of that, Ubisoft might opt for more of a remaster-style remake that simply upgrades the original game’s visuals and adds some necessary quality-of-life improvements here and there to make it feel like a fresh experience. Unfortunately, that might not be enough to make it succeed a second time, as it might be seen as nothing more than a cash grab — and withthe reputation Ubisoft has establishedin more recent memory, that definitely wouldn’t be the best move.
Then again, completely remaking the game from the ground up might take things a bit too far.
A Complete Overhaul of the Original Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Might Take Things a Bit Too Far
Attempting to break down and then reassembleAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagwith different pieces could potentially “ruin” the game, since it was already considered perfect to begin with. Very rarely have developers been able to pull off a top-down remake ofFinal Fantasy 7 RemakeorResident Evil 4’s caliber, due to time and budget restraints, as well as the tightrope that such a project requires its developers to walk. That being said, completely overhauling an original concept to produce a full-fledged remake isn’t impossible, and Ubisoft could pull it off.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagwith an entirely renewed take on exploration, parkour, combat, and stealth — along with enhanced modern visuals to boot — would effortlessly provide players with a fresh experience to enjoy. It would also be a surefire way to get newcomers involved who have yet toset sail inAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, as they might be turned off by a mere remaster. At the same time, any major insufficiency in anAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagremake might spark outrage among longtime fans of the game, which would ultimately cause its reception to plummet. If the rumors are true, this remake will need to tread lightly.
