Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced: enthusiastic reviews... but microtransactions have Steam grumbling

The remake of *Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag* impresses visually. Except that the catalog of microtransactions spoils the long-awaited return. The Steam community is divided.

We wanted to believe. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, released in 2013, holds a special place in the hearts of fans - not as a canonical AC, but as the best pirate game ever produced. Ubisoft is serving it to us again in Resynced and… it's mixed.

What pleases

According to the two reports from Notebookcheck (early reviews and Steam feedback), the Resynced version impresses fans and critics on several points:

• Visual overhaul of the sea, sky, and rigging.
• Improved AI of enemy crews.
• Additions of content compared to the original game.

The foundation of the gameplay - exploring the Caribbean, naval combat, maritime hunting - remains intact and one of the most beautiful open systems ever designed by Ubisoft.

What doesn't pass

The catch - and it's a big one. The Steam feedback reported by Notebookcheck points to a microtransaction system that the community finds intrusive for a full-priced game:

• Paid cosmetics, various monetized content.
• Feeling of a "remake sold as a game-service".
• Inevitable comparison with the original game, where everything was unlocked through gameplay.

Result: Steam ratings are mixed despite the overall positive critical reception.

For whom / against whom

• For newcomers who have never played the original Black Flag: the Resynced version probably offers the best entry point.
• Against historical fans who don't want to see their favorite classic turned into a store.

The bottom line

Ubisoft has been restructuring since 2024: disappointing Star Wars Outlaws, repeated delays on Shadows, restructuring of the management. Every release becomes a test. By choosing to upgrade a cult title while over-monetizing it, the publisher sends an ambiguous signal: yes, it knows how to remake, no, it hasn't understood what made its classics loved.

To remember

Hot note: 7/10 for the remake, 4/10 for the commercial strategy. The game is worth playing; the microtransactions deserve to be boycotted. We recommend waiting for a promotion and not feeding the store part of the experience.