More than a decade after players first hoisted the sails of the Jackdaw, Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag (2013) continues to hold a special place in the hearts of fans around the world. For many, it was more than an adventure across the Caribbean - it was the beginning of unforgettable friendships, countless sea shanties sung at full volume, and moments that defined their love for the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
As we prepare to return to those waters in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, we invited members of our community to look back on the memories that have stayed with them and share what they're most excited to experience again.
Caution, lads! There are minor Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced spoilers ahead!
Setting sail for the first time...
Think back to the very first time you set sail in the original Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013). What’s the first memory that comes to mind, and why has it stayed with you?
TheNerdyArcher: The depth of history at the player’s fingertips is what immersed me; from the historical figures and locations to the daily life that just hadn’t been shown in depictions before that point.
There’s also something so atmospheric about the sea shanties starting during those long hours of sailing across the map.
AC_Templier: The first memory that comes to mind is sailing away from Havana and realizing just how massive the world was. I remember spending far more time exploring small islands and shipwrecks than following the main story. That feeling of discovery is something I've never forgotten.
BPRGaming: The opening sequence. It’s one of the most dramatic and explosive openings to any Assassin’s Creed game. It introduces the player to the intense naval combat experience and sets up the story of the current Assassin conflict.
Master Sima Yi: The first memory that comes to mind is the start of the game, namely Edward's first interactions with Stede Bonnet. Right from the get-go it's apparent through his banter with Edward that this is going to be a journey full of memorable and colorful characters.
Every fan has ‘that moment’. Whether it was a naval battle, a story moment, or hearing their crew sing a sea shanty, what experience made you fall in love with Black Flag?
MisterAlpha444: For me, it was the story. Up until then, Assassin’s Creed games often focused heavily on revenge. Black Flag felt different. It was about a man chasing to become wealthy, nearly losing himself along the way and gradually finding his place within the Creed. Watching Edward’s journey unfold is what made me fall in love with the game.
GamingLandmarks: The naval battles. The amount of intensity the battles brought and the need to strategize my approach made me appreciate Black Flag as the best naval experience I’ve had ever.
WhiteWolfWhispers: Edward accepts people as they are. He does this repeatedly throughout the game. Seeing him and the relationships he has with other characters made me love the game more.
TheNerdyArcher: The ‘moment’ for me is Mary Read. The dynamic she holds with Edward and the implication of her stepping up to mentor Anne is so refreshing. Her tenacity and humor. How could I not fall in love? Mary has remained one of my favorite characters in the franchise since.
Edward Kenway’s Enduring Legacy...
What was it about Edward Kenway’s story that connected with you the most, and has your perspective on his journey changed over the years?
Colum (The Ones Who Came Before): The reason I connected so much to Edward's story is because of how flawed he is as an individual. With all his charm and optimism, his pursuit of wealth leads to him losing himself in a whirlwind of opportunities, and ultimately, becoming a different man entirely.
At first, Pirate life may seem romantic and fun, but Black Flag holds a darker message. Appreciate what you have before it's gone, and the inability to be satisfied with what you have in life can lead to you losing what you once had entirely. Black Flag proves that actions have consequences, even if you attempt to look the other way.
ClaudioACSy: What connected with me most about Edward’s story was how human and flawed he felt. Unlike some of the previous protagonists, Edward didn’t start out driven by a greater cause. He was motivated by ambition, wealth, the desire to make something of himself, and to give his wife Caroline a better life.
Over the years, my perspective on Edward hasn’t changed. I still see his story the same way: a powerful arc about a man slowly realizing the cost of his choices and learning that freedom without responsibility eventually loses its meaning.
Kulpreet (AC Sisterhood): What makes his journey so compelling is that it feels less like a traditional Assassin’s Creed redemption arc and more like a personal human story about maturity and growth. To me, that focus on genuine personal growth is what sets his story apart from many of the other protagonists in the Assassin’s Creed series and what makes the narrative so memorable.
Treviso: When I first played it, it was exciting to meet famous characters like Anne Bonny, Mary Read, Edward Thatch, and the rest of the gang from the Republic of Pirates. But what resonates most with me now is Edward's search for where he belongs. He spends so much of the story trying to define himself through success and reputation. Looking back, I see his journey less as a pirate adventure and more as a story about finding purpose.
How has Assassin’s Creed Black Flag influenced your journey as a fan of the franchise or even your love of gaming in general?
Colum: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag was the key motivation behind my Assassin's Creed community fundraiser back in 2019 which supported Ocean Conservancy, a movement dedicated to protecting the oceans and removing plastic and other harmful waste materials. I always try to make an impact upon the real world using an Assassin's Creed angle, and this is one I am particularly proud of. I would like to think Edward would be thankful too, not having to sail past floating rubbish.
The Hidden One: Playing Black Flag back in 2013 completely reshaped my perspective on gaming. At a time when massive open world games weren’t as common, the idea of land and sea exploration opened my eyes to what open environments could achieve later on, which pretty much sparked my lifelong love for open world games in general.
Master Sima Yi: Black Flag is and will surely always be one of the best experiences I've had as an Assassin's Creed fan. Not only is it a beautiful and incredibly fun game, but it also raised the bar for me when it comes to storytelling and lore-building, not just for Assassin's Creed but gaming in general.
Treviso: A couple of months after the release of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag I started interacting with the online communities for the games instead of just talking to my friends about it. So, it probably led me right here and while, just like everything else, there's been some ups and downs, I'm extremely glad and proud to be a member of the AC Community and don't see that changing anytime soon.
Returning to the Caribbean...
When you first heard Black Flag was being remade, what was your immediate reaction, and what are you most excited to see in Resynced?
The Hidden One: My immediate reaction was skepticism, as I didn't think the game needed a remake since 2013 isn't exactly a long time ago, but the reveal completely changed my mind. Plus, knowing Darby McDevitt has written new scenes is a massive bonus. His writing is always pure gold, and it sticks with you long after credits rolled.
GamingLandmarks: Oh, excitement! I started to think how beautiful the cities of Black Flag will look, coming close to the cities made in AC Odyssey. I wasn’t far from my predictions. The Caribbean is as blue as Greece with its own character. Havana still has its own identity, colorful as ever and now more surreal. I’m legitimately excited to just run around the cities and raid ships with more firepower than ever before!
Kulpreet (AC Sisterhood): Excitement! I felt extremely nostalgic hearing the Black Flag soundtrack again. I’m looking forward to exploring the world again with updated visuals and combat (which look amazing so far) and discovering new characters like Lucy Baldwin.
Misteralpha444: My first reaction was honestly: “How do you remake a game that already feels perfect?” I wondered how it could be improved beyond visual upgrades. After seeing more of Resynced, I was genuinely amazed by the ambition behind it. What excites me most is seeing one of my favorite games brought to life for a new generation while staying true to what made the original so special.
When you imagine returning to the Caribbean in Black Flag Resynced, what’s the first thing you’re planning to do the moment you take control of the Jackdaw?
AC_Templier: The first thing I plan to do when I return to the Caribbean is sail the Jackdaw, explore the world, and listen to the crew singing sea shanties.
ClaudioSY: For me, returning to the Caribbean won’t be about rushing into new content, but about seeing whether that original sense of freedom and atmosphere is still there and whether it has been meaningfully enhanced.
The Hidden One: The absolute first thing I’m doing is setting a course to 100% complete every single location on the map. I actually never 100% the 2013 original. However, now that Resynced has overhauled the island exploration to be more rewarding and varied gives me the perfect excuse to finally 100% the game.
BPRGaming: Truthfully… I’m going to go and find a pet monkey.
Colum: First thing myself and the Jackdaw crew will be doing is hunting for a diving bell via the 'Diving for Medicines' story mission. I absolutely love the underwater segments, especially now that they've been expanded. Even more beautiful and colorful than ever before!
Kulpreet (AC Sisterhood): Get my crew singing the sea shanties, of course!
Master Sima Yi: As soon as I take control of the Jackdaw I'll be going wherever the sea takes me, which will probably involve a lot of exploring new islands along the way of reliving Edward's story.
GamingLandmarks: Tuning the shanty radio (yes, I can finally do that now) and sailing towards a fort to show them my supreme firepower!
Misteralpha444: The first thing I’m going to do is simply set sail and take in the Caribbean once again. Before focusing on missions, stealth, or combat, I want to enjoy the atmosphere and experience that feeling of freedom that made the original so memorable. After that, I’m especially excited to dive deep into the combat gameplay system and discover everything that is possible with it.
Treviso: Full sail ahead. Crowd on every inch of sail! (and then play a shanty).
TheNerdyArcher: The same thing I always do: Go and pet as many of the cats as possible!
Joking aside, Resynced looks gorgeous, and I’m certain the first dozen or so hours of playtime are going to be spent just roaming around the map, diving underwater at every opportunity and being awestruck with the world.
WhiteWolfWhispers: I will do what any pirate does, going to queue up some shanties, and sail around, singing with my crew. Might cause some mischief and do some plundering, or might sail into the sunset, taking some gorgeous pics to share with others. Me and Edward and the Jackdaw are going to have a lot of fun. Cannot wait to be rollicking randy dandy, oh and to experience playing this game all over again!
We’d love to hear your stories from Assassin’s Creed Black Flag – your first voyage, your favorite moments, and what you’re most excited to experience again in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. You can join the discussion in our official Assassin’s Creed Discord and social media channels: Instagram | X | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok
