Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag

Q: Is the "Modern Day" content intrusive?

In Black Flag, the modern-day segments are played from a first-person perspective as an employee at Abstergo Entertainment. They are relatively brief and involve light puzzle-solving. For many, these are a welcome “palate cleanser” that adds interesting lore without pulling you away from the pirate action for too long.

Q: How do I get enough resources for the final ship upgrades?

The best way is to use your Spyglass to check the cargo of high-level ships in the southern part of the map. Focus on Man-o’-Wars carrying “Metal,” as this is the rarest resource. Taking down high-level convoys is the fastest way to see a high ROI on your raiding time.

Q: Can I fast-travel between islands?

Yes. Once you have synchronized a viewpoint in a location, you can fast-travel to it at any time. This is a vital “Life-Fit” feature that allows you to skip the long sailing trips if you only have a short window of time to play.

Q: What is the benefit of the "Sea Shanties"?

While they are “collectible” floating pages, catching them unlocks new songs for your crew to sing while you sail. It sounds small, but it significantly enhances the atmospheric ROI of the game, making the long voyages feel like a living, communal experience.

Q: Should I play this on modern consoles?

The “Rebel Collection” on Switch or the 1080p versions on PS4/Xbox One are excellent. While it hasn’t received a full 4K remaster, the art direction is so strong that the tropical environments still look breathtaking on modern displays.

Overall Rating: 4.15 • 2617 reviews

The Investment Gamer The Resilient Player

Set sail for the Golden Age of Piracy in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, a sprawling maritime epic that redefined the open-world genre! You are Edward Kenway, a brash pirate caught in the ancient war between Assassins and Templars. This is the premier destination for those who want their gaming time to result in a literal naval empire. Whether you are upgrading your brig, the Jackdaw, to take on Legendary Ships or exploring sun-drenched islands for buried treasure, every voyage is a high-stakes investment in your legacy as the most feared captain in the West Indies.

Get It Now Join the Community

Details

Some of the particulars and information about Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.

Developer: Ubisoft

Release Date: October 29, 2013

How Long to Beat: 42 hrs

Great for:

The Investment Gamer The Resilient Player

Ratings

Some of the ratings and scores for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.

85 Metacritic

8.5 IGN

-- Our Score

Genres

Action

Adventure

Role-Playing Game

Systems

Here's where you can find Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and play.

ESRB: Mature

Violence

Sexual Themes

Blood

Strong Language

Use of Alcohol

Overview

Why Play?

How Much Time?

Overview

This masterpiece delivers a seamless blend of traditional stealth and revolutionary naval combat, offering a vast Caribbean sandbox that rewards long-term strategic growth and tactical grit.

Naval Empire Building For The Investment Gamer

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is the ultimate “ROI” game for the Investment Gamer. The heart of the experience is the Jackdaw, your ship, which functions as a secondary protagonist. You aren’t just sailing; you are managing a mobile fortress. By plundering man-o’-wars for wood, metal, and cloth, you invest in hull plating, more cannons, and specialized weaponry like mortars and swivel guns. The game rewards your dedication by transforming you from a vulnerable scavenger into a maritime god, capable of dismantling entire Spanish and British fleets with surgical precision.

High-Stakes Survival For The Resilient Player

Life at sea is a constant test of the Resilient Player. The Caribbean is a dynamic, dangerous environment where rogue waves and waterspouts can destroy a careless captain. Beyond the weather, the game’s “Fort” captures and “Legendary Ship” battles serve as brutal skill checks that require absolute focus and the persistence to learn enemy firing patterns. On land, the stealth is more open-ended than previous entries, demanding that you use the dense jungle foliage and “stalking zones” to outmaneuver colonial forces. The satisfaction comes from surviving a pitch-black storm only to emerge and take down a fortress through sheer tenacity.

A Seamless Caribbean Paradise

For those seeking a high-quality escape, Black Flag offers one of the most immersive environments in gaming history. The transition between sailing the open ocean and docking at a vibrant city like Havana or Kingston is entirely seamless. The turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and the sounds of your crew singing “Sea Shanties” create a sensory-rich atmosphere that makes exploration a joy rather than a chore. It is a world that invites you to pull out your spyglass, find a distant silhouette on the horizon, and decide that the next 30 minutes belong to the sea.

Trailer

A Quick Look at Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag

Curious what Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is all about? The trailer gives you a great first look at the world, the vibe, and the kind of story you're stepping into.

Videos

Competing For the TV at Home? No Problem! Here's How You Can Play Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag on your phone.

You don't have to compete with the family for the TV to play console games anymore. With the Backbone One, your phone becomes your Xbox or PS5 controller, giving you the freedom to pick up and play when life gives you a spare moment. It's how we get most of our playtime in.

Get Yours Today

Screenshots

Screenshots of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag

Want to see what Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag actually looks like in-game? These screenshots will hopefully give you a feel for what the world of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is like.

Extras

Downloadable Content for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag

DLC just means more of a good thing. Here are some for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag - Freedom Cry

Lead A Revolution As Adéwalé

Originally a standalone expansion, Freedom Cry follows Edward’s former quartermaster, Adéwalé, 15 years after the main game. For the Narrative Seeker, this is a powerful and somber story focused on the liberation of slaves in Saint-Domingue. It offers a heavier, more purposeful tone that provides a high-quality narrative contrast to the main game’s lighter pirate themes.

New Weapons For Brutal Efficiency

Adéwalé brings a new combat style to the table, utilizing a devastating blunderbuss and a machete. For the Resilient Player, the “Maroons” system—where you must free slaves to unlock upgrades and support—adds a tactical layer to your progression. This 4-to-6-hour expansion is a dense, high-impact experience that respects your time while providing some of the most meaningful content in the series.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have Questions About Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag?

Is the "Modern Day" content intrusive?

How do I get enough resources for the final ship upgrades?

Can I fast-travel between islands?

What is the benefit of the "Sea Shanties"?

Should I play this on modern consoles?

Franchise

Explore More From Assassin's Creed

There's more to Assassin's Creed than Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Check out some of the other games in the franchise.

Learn More About the Franchise

It's Never Too Late to Start Playing.

Not What You're Looking For?

Great games dont have an expiration date. Take our quiz and we will find you the perfect game.

Take the Quiz