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It may have leaked all over the place ahead of its official announcement, but it feels like the reveal of Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced has gone down really well with just about everyone.
Associated videos have already racked up millions of views on YouTube, and from where we're sitting, the positivity has been shockingly widespread across social media and the like.
We'd dare say that Ubisoft got the remake's unveiling spot on; not only did it provide a gameplay deep dive that went out of its way to acknowledge the original game's flaws, it got charismatic Edward Kenway actor Matt Ryan to present the whole thing.
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Now, obviously, the reveal was stripped of any and all surprise because of the leaks that preceded it, but even then, it was almost like the blowout exceeded expectations. Resynced looks better than what we had imagined.
Generally speaking, we see quite a lot of criticism directed towards remakes and remasters these days — especially within hardcore gaming circles. There's a consistent sentiment that retreading old ground isn't very exciting, and that it's frustrating to see publishers and developers settle for so many safe wins.
But in Black Flag's case, we're talking about a beloved video game. We still have fond memories of its not-quite-cross-gen release back in 2013; for many PlayStation fans, it was their first major PS4 purchase.
There's just something about a good launch title that resonates with people. If your introduction to a brand new console is positive, then it can set the tone for the rest of the generation, creating a kind of nostalgia that you'll always look back on.
And Black Flag certainly fit the bill. You've got to remember, Ubisoft was in a bit of a pickle following Assassin's Creed 3, which had sold extremely well, but had also divided opinion amongst franchise enthusiasts thanks to its slow pacing and methodical storytelling.
By comparison, Black Flag was the definition of a crowd-pleaser — it was a pirate fantasy first and foremost, packed with explosive naval battles and the promise of legendary treasures.
Even main character Kenway was a far cry from the rigidity of Assassin's Creed 3's Connor — an unapologetically cocky scoundrel out to make his fortune on the sparkling waves of an apparent paradise. Kenway was, in lots of ways, a callback to the swagger of Ezio, and players largely loved him for it.
But Black Flag wasn't just a new coat of paint. Ubisoft had spent a fortune building one of the most detailed simulations of seafaring adventure out there — we distinctly remember being sent a press release regarding the game's ocean wave technology, which the developer was seriously proud of.
The bottom line here is that Black Flag remains one of the most recognisable and well-liked instalments in the series. And so to see it be revived, seemingly with such care, is more than enough to drum up some serious hype.
But that's enough of our musings — we want to know how you feel about Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced. Are you all-in, or are you unconvinced? Did you play the original game? Vote in our polls, and then prepare to be boarded in the comments section below.