I wont' play until they remove the Unachievable multiplayer achievements. :/

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag isn’t just an Assassin’s Creed game — it’s a full-blown pirate simulator that accidentally remembered it’s part of a stealthy assassin franchise halfway through. And thank God for that, because sailing the Caribbean as Edward Kenway, a charming rogue with questionable morals and excellent hair, is one of the best things Ubisoft has ever done.

Instead of the typical "climb a tower, stab a guy, repeat" formula, Black Flag throws you into an open sea of opportunities. You command your own ship, the Jackdaw, and set off into the horizon to plunder, pillage, harpoon whales, raid forts, collect sea shanties, and occasionally do some actual assassin work. But let's be honest — the assassin part is just a bonus, because being a pirate is way too fun.

The ship combat is pure joy — blasting enemy galleons with broadsides, boarding them with style, stealing their rum (and dignity), then sailing off into a sunset like a true sea legend. There’s something genuinely satisfying about building up your fleet, customizing your ship, and becoming the most feared captain in the Caribbean.

Edward himself is a breath of fresh salty air. Unlike previous brooding assassin protagonists, he’s not exactly in it for the greater good — he’s in it for gold, rum, and reckless freedom, and somehow ends up becoming a better man by accident. The character development is surprisingly solid, with moments that hit harder than expected for a game about stabbing people on boats.

The world is massive and alive, from the bustling streets of Havana to hidden jungle ruins and deserted islands. Whether you're diving into shark-infested wrecks or climbing palm trees to sync viewpoints, there's always something to distract you. And yes, you’ll collect a stupid amount of useless trinkets, but you’ll love every second of it.

Even the modern-day segments — usually a drag in AC games — are tolerable here, with a weird-but-funny "Abstergo Entertainment" office tour that plays like a corporate fever dream.

In short:
Black Flag isn’t just a good Assassin’s Creed game — it’s a great pirate game, period. If you ever wanted to be a rum-fueled sea rogue with a heart buried somewhere under treasure maps and cannonballs, this is your chance.

10/10 sea shanties. Would abandon the Brotherhood for booty again. 🏴‍☠️

Does not load on Windows 11. Requires reinstalling microsoft visuals c++ and completing a series of google searches in order to start the game. Ubisoft connect requires password everytime the PC is restarted. Refunded this product and now I have a bad taste in my mouth which will prevent me from purchasing Ubisoft games.