Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

 PC
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3161 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,500 out of 3161
  2. Mixed: 438 out of 3161
  3. Negative: 223 out of 3161
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  1. ppoczokk
    Nov 22, 2013
    1
    This game is basically an AC3 somewhat expanded. They changed the settings to pirate and added some visual effects, but thats all. Ubisoft milking the same cow.
    Any reviewer who writes it is a great game, and "it has some minor technical issues (FPS) that will need patching", are lying or part of the hype-troll factory. There aren't minor glitches, there are huge ones... Doesn't matter    This game is basically an AC3 somewhat expanded. They changed the settings to pirate and added some visual effects, but thats all. Ubisoft milking the same cow.
    Any reviewer who writes it is a great game, and "it has some minor technical issues (FPS) that will need patching", are lying or part of the hype-troll factory. There aren't minor glitches, there are huge ones... Doesn't matter what the Ubisoft copy/paste promo revs say.

    THE FACTS: the controls are the same as in prequels, made for the console, you have 8 buttons to do everything. If the view changes you're not running forward but sideward with the same button, making impossible some difficult moves and finishing 100% (if you care about it). If a reviewer never mentions bad controls, it means they never played the game. Read carefully.

    There are no savegames, but checkpoints. So if you scrw it up because of the bad controls, you can start all over again. Is it really that difficult to make a good port to the pc? I don't think so. But Ubi cares about money not about fans or gamers. On the long run this will prove an epic fail.

    I give 1 for the score because exactly that much they improved the game from AC3 (some flashy effects and a bigger map). If you are not payed by Ubi, you would never score this game above 3 or 4 (on the PC).    … Expand
  2. sergej
    Dec 28, 2013
    1
    Not like the game The game is not like the game did not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game did notNot like the game The game is not like the game did not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game did not like not like the game The game is not like the game did not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like the game is not like… Expand
  3. MattPatt
    Jan 18, 2014
    1
    First of the story was a disappointment and not to mention the ending! (worst ending in any ac game in history) and without Desmond the gameplay outside the animus was boring and confusing.

    There is no variety in the level design! (blue water and forests is all you see) The missions is follow this guy, follow that guy, follow those guys or make your way into this castle by climbing    First of the story was a disappointment and not to mention the ending! (worst ending in any ac game in history) and without Desmond the gameplay outside the animus was boring and confusing.

    There is no variety in the level design! (blue water and forests is all you see)

    The missions is follow this guy, follow that guy, follow those guys or make your way into this castle by climbing but watch out because your character sometimes jumps the wrong way and you have to climb again and again and again.

    They have now limited the weapon use and got rid of hammers, daggers, and other weapons leaves you with only swords, hidden blades (wich sucks in ac4) and pistols.

    Kind of a !!!!!SPOILER!!!!!!

    Kenway is not even an assassin which makes the games title very out of place because Desmond is dead and your character is not an assassin... Yeah good job there assassins creed story writer, good job.

    Other than all that this is not a game i enjoyed playing, i just had to keep struggling to see the end.    … Expand
  4. justanhonestguy
    Jan 13, 2017
    1
    Had a previous review that gave the game credit for excellent programming, graphics, historical setting, art design, level design, and good parkour. Gave it a few bad marks for combat mechanics, AI behavior, and other things not all that bad even when added up. I hadn't given up totally, and the game had a rating of just under 50% for me, until reality set in. What absolutely KILLED theHad a previous review that gave the game credit for excellent programming, graphics, historical setting, art design, level design, and good parkour. Gave it a few bad marks for combat mechanics, AI behavior, and other things not all that bad even when added up. I hadn't given up totally, and the game had a rating of just under 50% for me, until reality set in. What absolutely KILLED the fun factor for me was "NO SAVE FUNCTION". I want to save the game when I want to save the game. Take this outdated arrogant attitude and shove it, dudes, don't tell me when I can save the game. I complete a half hour's worth of whatever level, then I die, or have to do something else in the real world, and I have to start all over again? I have to repeat the entire hour possibly. because you said so?? That's not fun, guys, that's called work and I get enough of that during the day. Combine that single catastrophic bad design element with the pervasive and absolutely buzz-killing ultra modern office "Oh it was all a dream a-la Total Recall" moments, and throw in the arrogant Uplay overlay, and as they say in the orchestra, "Viola!!" A great effort by programmers, art guys, and the people that envisioned the awesome piratey goodness of the initial concept, squandered, and I mean absolutely destroyed down to the nanometric level of subatomic dissolution type destroyed, and this game holds the current title in Just an Honest Guy land of "Game that fell the hardest from the highest". I am sincerely so disappointed in the flawed execution that I have to give it a 2.... Uninstalling in frustration.… Expand
  5. APCY
    Jun 21, 2014
    1
    You get one button combat system which makes game extremly easy and makes stealth useless, boring gameplay (only good thing was ship battles, nothing more), poor story and same graphics as last game for ~50€? No thank you.
  6. Mordosskull
    Dec 2, 2020
    1
    Well ain't this game dressed up well in some nice graphics? Yea that's why it gets 1 point: For graphics! The game starts with the main character following someone, the next quests will be you tailing/following and it's best RUNNING after someone. But then you'll have quests where you will have to sneak past someone.. SNEAK.. THE ONLY GAME IN THE WORLD WITHOUT A SNEAK BUTTON. Ugly rottenWell ain't this game dressed up well in some nice graphics? Yea that's why it gets 1 point: For graphics! The game starts with the main character following someone, the next quests will be you tailing/following and it's best RUNNING after someone. But then you'll have quests where you will have to sneak past someone.. SNEAK.. THE ONLY GAME IN THE WORLD WITHOUT A SNEAK BUTTON. Ugly rotten game with some nice graphics. Cheap. Play if you're under ten, or brainless, or if you like Steven Seagal movies.… Expand
  7. explodr
    Dec 27, 2013
    0
    I bought this game because it was rated highly and I liked the premises of the other Assassin Creed games. This was a mistake. As soon as I started the game, I noticed the graphics were not really that great, although the framerate was also not spectacular. The voice acting was okay, but the talking animations were lacking. When I try to run, the sticky auto-climbing mode makes it nearlyI bought this game because it was rated highly and I liked the premises of the other Assassin Creed games. This was a mistake. As soon as I started the game, I noticed the graphics were not really that great, although the framerate was also not spectacular. The voice acting was okay, but the talking animations were lacking. When I try to run, the sticky auto-climbing mode makes it nearly impossible to stay on the ground. The fighting mechanics also feel slow, virtual, and only require one button pressed rapidly for the most part. It's like if Mirror's Edge's manual freerunning was replaced by a system that does the acrobatics for you; there's no skill involved, and I don't feel like I've done anything significant.… Expand
  8. JPulowski
    Nov 21, 2013
    0
    Just another Assassin's Creed game. Good on you Ubisoft for "callofdutizing" the series. Do not expect something totally different, you know just jumping around, killing things etc. etc.
  9. OliverGrau
    Nov 24, 2013
    0
    I love the AC series and I would love to play the game. But hard lock ups keeps keeping me away. This game is no where near out of alpha stage, in the short minutes I've gotten to play the game has been a pain, it suffers from some really hard screen tearing even with VSYNC or adaptive VSYNC on. 0/10 unplayable.
  10. Nippur
    Jul 22, 2014
    0
    One reason should be enough. And it's called U PLay. I'm not buying these ubisoft games anymore. I don't like to be forced to feed your data mining software. I also don't like to be forced to have another game client on top of Steam. And I don't like to have the game crashing to desktop that often.
  11. vianna77
    Oct 6, 2014
    0
    It gives you sea sickness after playing... you just can`t figure out if you are throwing up because of the stupid game or because of the fact that everything keeps moving after you close the game.

    Since AC2, all those games are getting worse! Only bought it because it was almost free in Humble Bundle. Well. If you are looking for a good game, try something else.
  12. Baronz
    Nov 24, 2013
    0
    Game on PC is unplayable, tearing everywhere, even if i can play most games with high detail, this game is barely playable with low settings. While AC3 was a bad porting but was at least playable, this one is really not worth the money. I really don't think PC gamer deserve a poorly optimized game like this.
  13. Demorase
    Jan 23, 2014
    0
    Zero for the utterly inane optimization and incompetence from Ubisoft.

    What kind of idiots would put dynamic physics for EVERY SINGLE foliage on screen and not even put an option to disable said physics without removing everything. Unbelievable.
  14. bulreporting
    Jan 5, 2014
    0
    Game is broken. Will not save majority of progress. It displays the save icon after every in-game milestone but when you attempt to load a save, you find that the last 75% of progress is gone. That means out of every 10 hours, you will lose 7 or 8 hours and will spend another 7 or 8 hours replaying it, and it may not even save that progress either. This is a known issue. It has been aGame is broken. Will not save majority of progress. It displays the save icon after every in-game milestone but when you attempt to load a save, you find that the last 75% of progress is gone. That means out of every 10 hours, you will lose 7 or 8 hours and will spend another 7 or 8 hours replaying it, and it may not even save that progress either. This is a known issue. It has been a known issue since the game was released two months ago. So far I have yet to see an Ubisoft response on the issue, if only to acknowledge the problem, let alone any work towards a fix.… Expand
  15. Ochetazinco
    Feb 15, 2014
    0
    In short this game is about pirates (I know, you already knew that)...that is the game that Ubisoft made, and they want to send a message: they want to outsmart YOU. Over at Ubisoft, The CEO thinks he's a pirate, along with the investors and their crew of henchmen, the board of directors, YAAAR! Every year they bring in their pirate booty from the poor fools who pay them for pre-orders.In short this game is about pirates (I know, you already knew that)...that is the game that Ubisoft made, and they want to send a message: they want to outsmart YOU. Over at Ubisoft, The CEO thinks he's a pirate, along with the investors and their crew of henchmen, the board of directors, YAAAR! Every year they bring in their pirate booty from the poor fools who pay them for pre-orders. All they have to do is force the poor crew (the programmers, the artists, the musicians, the historians, and all other people who actually do the work, but is never appreciated for it) to retouch a template from the previous year, then put it out as a new product...YAAAR! Me so Clever Boi. They plunder millions of poor fools and kids every year; AND apparently they've been to every bay in the seven seas, OR so it seems... BUT YET, They have NOT.... they missed one very important bay. One that makes them cringe, and their skinny feet tremble with fear. The one that makes them yell for their momma. The one that makes Electronic Arts seem like little babies crying for a penny. The one that makes the RIAA and the MPAA cower in fear. The one that makes them wonder why their share price tumbled last week. The one, the only.....THE PIRATE BAY...Thanks THE PIRATE BAY, you are a life saver, YAAAR!!… Expand
  16. Subterra
    Dec 29, 2013
    0
    Game runs terribly on pc steer well away from this mess absolute rip off not even a moderatly high end pc can run this game at payable speeds its an absolute disgrace that they are selling the game in its current state dont buy
  17. NoWanga
    Dec 13, 2013
    0
    This is my Multiplayer review.

    The development of the multiplayer with AC has been right in par with its single player, steadily decreasing. I first multiplayer had some issues, and as they resolved them over time they just created new ones. The scores are basically arbitrary, they make sense in theory until some gets 1200 points for poisoning someone in the first 2 seconds of the    This is my Multiplayer review.

    The development of the multiplayer with AC has been right in par with its single player, steadily decreasing. I first multiplayer had some issues, and as they resolved them over time they just created new ones. The scores are basically arbitrary, they make sense in theory until some gets 1200 points for poisoning someone in the first 2 seconds of the game, or getting 600 points for someones you literally runs right into them. Essentially AC multiplayer is Brink, a fantastic idea that never really landed    … Expand
  18. nitai007
    Feb 3, 2014
    0
    assassins creed 4 is an amazing game and a grand improvement over AC3. the map is just huge, one of the bigger games i have ever seen.the story is great. it isnt a heavy or too serious story, though it does have its great moments. the story is fun and interesting, and is supported by greatly written cast of characters. the characters are interesting and greatly help the plot. overall iassassins creed 4 is an amazing game and a grand improvement over AC3. the map is just huge, one of the bigger games i have ever seen.the story is great. it isnt a heavy or too serious story, though it does have its great moments. the story is fun and interesting, and is supported by greatly written cast of characters. the characters are interesting and greatly help the plot. overall i enjoyed the story it was written good and was fun.
    the gameplay is mostly fun. the games stealth system is greatly improved over AC3, but it still needs tweaking and it isnt as good as its supposed to be. the game has a lot of stealth, and the system just doesnt feel built for it sometimes. still some stealth missions are fun. the combat system is great. its fun and cool and the fighting animations are great. animations in general are top notch! from climbing to running the games animations are amazing. the graphics are also amazing, and its one of the best looking games ive seen. the engine isnt as powerfull as cryengine, but the game is so well made that it still looks spectacular. the sea, sunsets, citys and jungles all look amazing. jungles in particular have tons of detail, and the lighting there is great. the game in general is extremely detailed, much more than other games. given that this game is also so huge, there was a lot of effort built into it. naval combat is also great and fun. boarding ships does get repetetive though. even so its still fun. the draw distance is also spectacular. weather effects are, again, some of the best ive seen, especially the waves. the music in the game is mostly good and fits the game. when your crew starts singing its also pretty fun. the parkour system is overall great. you do stumble to your death for no reason some times, but overall it works pretty good. parkour on your boat is a bit annoying. underwater segments are also great and cool.
    EXPLORATION is a huge part of the game, and it is done masterfully. you allways want to find new locations and explore. finding collectibles in the game is also fun. in most games i dont care about collectibles, but in AC4 they are done really good. tailing missions and evesdrop missions are still in the game, and theyre annoying as ever.

    overall this game is amazing and i cant praise it more. exploration is really fun, the design is great and the story is good. this is the ultimate pirate game. i highly recomend it!!!!!!!!    … Expand
  19. Archie101
    Nov 24, 2013
    0
    I hate it. Its very poorly optimized. Its as buggy as it can get. Then the genre should have been action adventure because there is no stealth in this. Ubisoft has not done justice to a game which had a lot of potential.
  20. Maitrify
    Jul 3, 2022
    0
    Horrible game. Just more of the same with no real polishing or fixing of issues that have been in the series since the beginning. Controls are worse off than before due to the unorthodox nature of the jungle and the like. Trying to move in this game feels like fighting against quicksand.

    Horrid port and this game effectively has killed the AC series for me. 3 was bad enough but this was    Horrible game. Just more of the same with no real polishing or fixing of issues that have been in the series since the beginning. Controls are worse off than before due to the unorthodox nature of the jungle and the like. Trying to move in this game feels like fighting against quicksand.

    Horrid port and this game effectively has killed the AC series for me. 3 was bad enough but this was the nail in the coffin.    … Expand
  21. eelegendo
    Jul 11, 2015
    0
    For AC4 if you type in google "AC4 climb, the first thing to appear is "windmill" >> with the pc controls it is almost impossible to make it, the character, if on the windmill's vane, just lets go and falls for any button, the camera is in an odd angle and you can't see what you're doing. I wouldn't give a f.ck, because there were lot of stupid things in AC before, I would just skip, BUTFor AC4 if you type in google "AC4 climb, the first thing to appear is "windmill" >> with the pc controls it is almost impossible to make it, the character, if on the windmill's vane, just lets go and falls for any button, the camera is in an odd angle and you can't see what you're doing. I wouldn't give a f.ck, because there were lot of stupid things in AC before, I would just skip, BUT this is a part of the main quest, so either you climb or you can't continue. Therefore I give this title a 0. If you put a glitch into the main quest and you not patch it, your game is worthless.… Expand
  22. Sandy_Hook_MVP
    Nov 19, 2013
    0
    This game is absolutely abysmal. Here we go again with the optional objectives to get 100% sync (I don't think the developer understands what optional means. Optional should be bonus gold or supplies, not sync and at that, they shouldn't be absurd, like touch your toes while being eaten by a shark.

    The movement is horrible, if you want to run in a straight line, tough, you are going to    This game is absolutely abysmal. Here we go again with the optional objectives to get 100% sync (I don't think the developer understands what optional means. Optional should be bonus gold or supplies, not sync and at that, they shouldn't be absurd, like touch your toes while being eaten by a shark.

    The movement is horrible, if you want to run in a straight line, tough, you are going to bounce off every wall in site.

    They recycled models, combat, minigames, objectives, etc. I think the only new thing is boats, which loses is okay, but doesn't make up for the huge disappointment in atrocity that is the rest of the game.

    The game does look good though, but that doesn't mean it feels good.    … Expand
  23. Jpnn
    Nov 19, 2013
    0
    They up everything, they have trashed the story of the game, the amasing story build in assasins 1 and up at revelations and got worse at assasins 3 now its over IT THATS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHATS HAPPENS WHEN A ENTERPRIZE WINS TONS OF MONEY WITH A SERIES AND THEN TURNS IT TO A NEW THING JUST BECAUSE IS MORE LUCRATIVE
  24. fgeth
    Nov 20, 2013
    0
    Yet another poor console port. The controls bad, as in the previous titles, no savegame, as I wrote, console...
    Don't believe the hype and the promo reviews and don't buy it for the pc.
  25. convtabl
    Nov 21, 2013
    0
    Only reviews of 10 (payed/promo) and 0 (user).
    It has the same problems as the earlier ACs, nothing changed, a bad port to pc. Make a bad game, spend tons of money on advertising, fake reviewers and there you are. I was so hoping after the 2nd part, that they will fix issues, but Ubisoft is only out for money. It's a shame.
  26. Pengion
    Nov 23, 2013
    0
    Auto saves don't work, unless you want to replay the beginning over and over and over again don't buy. Broken game, should never have been released as is.
  27. kuffey
    Nov 24, 2013
    0
    Honestly, this game is an unoptimized cop out on ubisofts part. Runs absolutely terribly on pc, and the fact that atl east half the missions are recycled "stealth" get to point a to point b without getting detected. Literally, tailing simulator 2012. The "NAVAL STEALTH" was the last straw, if you are gonna get this game, i suggest pirating it.
  28. kudryon
    Dec 1, 2013
    0
    Another garbage Ubisoft port. Nothing to see here. Awful optimization for PC......................................................................................
  29. MaestroVolpe
    Mar 19, 2014
    0
    I was actually optimistic that Assassin's creed tried to shake up their tired old formula for a new game. This is not the case. I'm not sure which is more repetitive and irritating, the main quest line or everything else. It's a Ubisoft game, so 99% of the gameplay is just unlocking towers and collecting random items to unlock clothes. The other 1% is just maddeningly repetitive andI was actually optimistic that Assassin's creed tried to shake up their tired old formula for a new game. This is not the case. I'm not sure which is more repetitive and irritating, the main quest line or everything else. It's a Ubisoft game, so 99% of the gameplay is just unlocking towers and collecting random items to unlock clothes. The other 1% is just maddeningly repetitive and frustrating. For a game that seems confident that you can play to your style, I've never had to restart, reload and repeat so many missions because one tiny little detail sent the entire situation out of control, and almost 99% of that was because of the game's ridiculously irritating control system which is equally likely to send you in the wrong direction as the right one.

    Not intuitive, not engaging, not very impressive.    … Expand
  30. DGKONG
    Jan 9, 2014
    0
    ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE, Ubisoft has done NOTHING to fix the server problems, you get disconnected literally EVERY MATCH! The characters are just copy and pasted, and uninspiring.... Ubisoft has done nothing to help us PC gamers and could care less about us! DO NOT BUY!!!!
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Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best PC Game of 2013
15
#15 Most Discussed PC Game of 2013
16
#16 Most Shared PC Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. GameCritics
    Mar 5, 2014
    60
    Ironically enough for a game which centers around the concept of genetic ancestry, however, it continually lets itself down by refusing to break away from its own tired and worn-out heritage,
    Read full review
  2. DarkZero
    Jan 16, 2014
    90
    Fans that were bummed out by Assassin’s Creed III will most likely find Black Flag to be a welcoming return to what they love about the series, with a great story, amazingly crafted world and smart additions to the sailing that make it a refreshing part of the Assassin’s Creed formula.
    Read full review
  3. PC PowerPlay
    Dec 30, 2013
    90
    Makes up for the failings of AC3, delivering a fantastic, engaging open world experience. [Jan 2014, p.78]
See all critic reviews »