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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Strang
    Dec 29, 2013
    9
    I have had this AC for a few days now, and I am already totally immersed.The game is a HUGE improvement over the last game (which shall not be named) Black Flag takes the naval combat from AC3 and makes it more or less the main aspect. The controls for maneuvering your ship are responsive for the most part, sometimes trying to use your fire barrels may be a hassle. There is so muchI have had this AC for a few days now, and I am already totally immersed.The game is a HUGE improvement over the last game (which shall not be named) Black Flag takes the naval combat from AC3 and makes it more or less the main aspect. The controls for maneuvering your ship are responsive for the most part, sometimes trying to use your fire barrels may be a hassle. There is so much content on the map.Finding buried treasure and collecting songs for your crew are some things to do. Hunting from AC3 has been kept in the game,you can use the animals for crafting or sell them.But hunting gets really repetitive after a while. The new addition of harpooning sea creatures helps add variety but this too gets repetitive.The story is not the worst nor the best, and that keeps my review from getting a 10.… Expand
  2. Gervantos
    Oct 10, 2020
    8
    One of top 3 ac games. Great graphic, good story. Need better optimization and fewer a to b missions.
  3. Tomicsavo
    Feb 17, 2020
    9
    A great continuation of franchise. A lot of time can be spent with it, a lot of opportunities and fun. The only thing I was missing is a good story outside of the animus. But he was fine anyway.
  4. ivan7788
    Dec 11, 2017
    9
    This game is last good Assasins Creed (AC). I have enjoyed all AC since the first one which i though was regular back in the day i gave it a score of 7.0/10, then AC2 blew my mind with an insteresting story and some how a lovable main character 8.0/10. AC Brother Hood was more of a continuation for me 7.8/10 and AC Revelation was like the same but with more darker atmosphere 7.5/10.

    I    This game is last good Assasins Creed (AC). I have enjoyed all AC since the first one which i though was regular back in the day i gave it a score of 7.0/10, then AC2 blew my mind with an insteresting story and some how a lovable main character 8.0/10. AC Brother Hood was more of a continuation for me 7.8/10 and AC Revelation was like the same but with more darker atmosphere 7.5/10.

    I skipped AC3 entirely because its bad optimization on PC. The I played AC Unity which i thought was a very boring game 5.8/10 and AC Syndicate 6.0/10 I unistalled both games after a few missions because the story and mechanics were a pain in the ass.

    Then today Ubisoft (company that i dont like since they scammed me with The Division) gave away for free a copy of Assasins Creed IV Black Flag and ohh boi i have to tell you people this AC is GOOD, its like AC2 meets the first Pirates of the Caribbean, playing this game is a charming journey for single player campaing, i rate the game 8.5/10 (Metacritic dont allow that score so i gave it 9.0/10 to be fair).    … Expand
  5. Yurk
    Nov 6, 2018
    10
    This is my favorite Assassin's Creed game. I completed it 6 times and would be happy to do it again. Amazing graphics, wonderful atmosphere, breathtaking views and fantastic story. I love how everything works together in this part. It is pirate game and somehow it is totally canonic Assassin's Creed title. It is like previous ACs but in different setting and with additional mechanics. 10This is my favorite Assassin's Creed game. I completed it 6 times and would be happy to do it again. Amazing graphics, wonderful atmosphere, breathtaking views and fantastic story. I love how everything works together in this part. It is pirate game and somehow it is totally canonic Assassin's Creed title. It is like previous ACs but in different setting and with additional mechanics. 10 out of 10. Sea songs are the best! What shall we do with a drunken sailor early in the morning?… Expand
  6. SergeiZ
    Nov 16, 2020
    9
    Best Assassin ever. And if you remove all the nonsense about the ancients and leave only the game about pirates - then there will be the best game about pirates since the days of "Pirates!"
  7. justdisali
    Sep 10, 2020
    8
    it is ornery to seek for ships lots of hours, but interesting experience, anyway where I you, I would exit this page and try the game asap.
  8. ATTin
    Jun 2, 2019
    9
    Story: 8.5, Gameplay: 9, Graphics: 9. Ah the memories, easily an awsome game
  9. CaroDuce
    Jan 5, 2014
    8
    Honestly i'm not an assassin's creed fan at all, but this game has really taken my attention..
    I enjoyed the entire story line and the awesome graphic; I have appreciate a lot the crew's songs too (it could sounds stupid, but yep, i enjoyed them sailing the sea).. Maybe to easy
  10. Dustfoxx
    Oct 8, 2020
    8
    As I've grown older I've lost interest for the Assassin's Creed series but the one game I still have fond memories of is Black Flag. It still has the main gameplay loop of every other game in the series but it balances it out with the great ship combat.
    Closer to a 7 than a 9
  11. londonrocks
    Oct 31, 2020
    10
    Easily best Assassin's Creed game. Huge open world with tons of stuff to do and places to explore.
  12. NothingisTrue
    Nov 20, 2020
    10
    As of right now i like Black Flag and Valhalla equally. Valhalla obviously has more content and better graphics, but Black Flag was also incredible game in 2013 terms and still holds up both graphically and story wise.
  13. Sloanster
    Nov 19, 2013
    10
    The Assassin Creed Franchise has had its up and downs, but ACV is absolutely an up. This game is extremely fun and I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the previous games. The ship combat has improved and the graphics are beautiful. This game is probably my favorite in the franchise so far.
  14. The_Ommadawn
    Nov 19, 2013
    9
    People are funny (or is that just PC gamers?). Yes, yes, yes it has some minor technical issues (FPS) that will need patching, but these are expected for a game with this much scale. I felt that depressing feeling during the opening cutscene and tutorial island when the game wasn't as smooth as I'd hoped. Once I boarded my ship and headed to Havana, things improved and confidencePeople are funny (or is that just PC gamers?). Yes, yes, yes it has some minor technical issues (FPS) that will need patching, but these are expected for a game with this much scale. I felt that depressing feeling during the opening cutscene and tutorial island when the game wasn't as smooth as I'd hoped. Once I boarded my ship and headed to Havana, things improved and confidence regained (unlike my hairline). AC:BF is very good. The map is HUGE, the graphics (some frame rate drops) are excellent, the sound passionate, the naval element well implemented, animations are fabulous, cutscenes and voice acting some of the best i've seen and the game is simply fun. Greatly improved from AC3 and with so much to do and collect, it's gonna take a while to see all of it. This is my new favourite AC game. Enjoy.… Expand
  15. Ubisoft_Forever
    Feb 12, 2021
    10
    I will support Ubisoft until the day i die. I bought AC Valhalla Day 1 and i will do same with Far Cry 6. I want to play Assassin's Creed Unity as last thing i ever do, before i die. Ubisoft (alongside Rockstar Games, Remedy Entertainment and Capcom) is one of my favorite game developers of all time and i mean it. They have got so much undeserved hate from tasteless haters who never evenI will support Ubisoft until the day i die. I bought AC Valhalla Day 1 and i will do same with Far Cry 6. I want to play Assassin's Creed Unity as last thing i ever do, before i die. Ubisoft (alongside Rockstar Games, Remedy Entertainment and Capcom) is one of my favorite game developers of all time and i mean it. They have got so much undeserved hate from tasteless haters who never even cared to play Ubisoft games. Anyway i just wanted to truly thank Ubisoft for every video game they have done and thanks to that made my life so much happier and better in general. Watch Dogs and AC Unity were games that helped me to get over my depression and for that i'm forever thankful for Ubisoft. Thank you.… Expand
  16. Ozimandeus
    Nov 19, 2013
    10
    A lovingly created masterpiece. Each element seems handmade, the gameplay mixture of assassins creed, Sid Mier's Pirates! a dash of Zelda wind walker, and a pinch of Farcry 3. It is HUGE in scope, a fully realised open world. The companion App on iPad works like a dream. As of now this is my personal game of the year.. It is a true video game classic a must buy and the best thing toA lovingly created masterpiece. Each element seems handmade, the gameplay mixture of assassins creed, Sid Mier's Pirates! a dash of Zelda wind walker, and a pinch of Farcry 3. It is HUGE in scope, a fully realised open world. The companion App on iPad works like a dream. As of now this is my personal game of the year.. It is a true video game classic a must buy and the best thing to happen to the franchise since Assassin's Creed 2.… Expand
  17. asy8492
    Nov 21, 2013
    10
    Among all the AC series that had been released, this sequel by far is the best one ever. No doubt Ubisoft seems to have done a very good job in fulfilling customer's request for features in game that was first unveiled in AC3 but was not polished well which was naval warfare. Honestly, when AC3 came out, the naval warfare was one key feature that really attracts me the most but I was a bitAmong all the AC series that had been released, this sequel by far is the best one ever. No doubt Ubisoft seems to have done a very good job in fulfilling customer's request for features in game that was first unveiled in AC3 but was not polished well which was naval warfare. Honestly, when AC3 came out, the naval warfare was one key feature that really attracts me the most but I was a bit disappointed because it only appears as side missions and players don't have much choice to sail to other places and uses it as a mean of transports for exploring. However, AC4 really revamped that whole concept and brought my wish to real. For me, the open sea free-for-exploration with a ship is the best selling point for AC4. Never in my entire life have I seen a game that managed to handle naval warfare very well. It is too awesome. The ability to sail across the sea, stop by islands and explore them seamlessly without any boundaries, engage in epic naval battle and board the ships are the best key features for me. Playing the game somehow kind of reminds me a bit of Pirates of the Caribbean especially during the naval battle. Plus the new engine in the game which allows for spontaneous storms and huge waves to occur really added to the realism and epicness of the game. Seriously I wouldn't mind if the next AC5 continues on the sea exploration concept. In fact, I really hope they would retain naval exploration in the next installment. For anyone that has not played any Assassin's Creed series before, I think this installment is the best way to start with. It's like GTA but in a pirate settings in the caribbeans.… Expand
  18. Hatshoo
    Nov 21, 2013
    10
    I have played them all and this is my favorite one by far! it is bigger in every way (map, history, complexity)
    I would give it a 9 but due to all the scrubs giving low score for no reason...
  19. HEXHUN
    Nov 22, 2013
    5
    AC: Black Flag was announced like a big break through for the series. Unfortunately it fails this in so many ways.
    The single player content is carried out very badly. The multiplayer is totally the same, lacks the sight of the smallest innovations. It was satisfying two games ago... now it feels like Call of Duty...
    The game mechanism are so dumb down, even a monkey could play the    AC: Black Flag was announced like a big break through for the series. Unfortunately it fails this in so many ways.
    The single player content is carried out very badly. The multiplayer is totally the same, lacks the sight of the smallest innovations. It was satisfying two games ago... now it feels like Call of Duty...

    The game mechanism are so dumb down, even a monkey could play the game. A lot of good features from the predecessor games are missing. Specially from the combat... this game was build around it, but still this is the most unpretending part of the game... Everything that was good in AC3's naval combat, devs just trashed all of it.

    - There aren't any diffirences between ships... a 3500 tonne man of war will be as fast as Edward's small ship. The legendary ships are some kind of freaking jokes... they accelerate at 80 m/s and they are equipped with jet engines. WTF?
    - Canon reload time is so low... it takes (even for the man of war's 100 canons) only 3 seconds... just spam full boardside volleys, that is the only thing you will do in combat. Frigates and man of war ships have some future tech gatling canons... they can fire up to 5 volleys in quick succession (under ~10 seconds)
    - You can no longer change canon rounds like in AC3.
    - Ship sails no longer takes dmg, chain-shots lost there whole function... oh wait they've got a new one, now they STUN ships like in damn WoW...
    -This game is so arcade... you have the option to repair your ship AND loose all you notority after you board a ship.

    Melee combat sucks also... Thee E is your ultimate key used for anything... counter, dodge, parry. HP potions removed entirely.
    Edward regain heatlh automatically.. The fast-travel option added to the game, it has some nice side effects too, it can be used anytime, even in combat. Also recharges your full ammo supply (smokebombs, darts too) Eagle vision now tags enemies like the annoying wallhack in Far Cry 3. Assassinte missions are so arcade, you can run straight to your target, don't worry about being detected, because it's no longer cause desync. (mission fail, not even in story mission)

    The world looks big on the map, but its feels empty even towns and also lacks detail. Side activities are so few and even those are so boring, just a tons of ridiculously easy assassination contracts.

    This game won't provide any fun for whose played the older games. Black Flag is a huge disapointment. Made for 10 yrs old console-kids. This game probably don't deserve a medicore score.    … Expand
  20. asscreedfanboi
    Nov 20, 2013
    2
    Best part of the game is the theme/setting, which is done very well. Everything else seems pretty stale. Probably would be worth a 6 or 7 if I were on a console, but this is a PC review, and it runs like ass on PC. Poorly optimized would be a compliment in this case, and Ubisoft even came out and said they didn't give a crap. I was sort of amused by the DLC, where you can pay money toBest part of the game is the theme/setting, which is done very well. Everything else seems pretty stale. Probably would be worth a 6 or 7 if I were on a console, but this is a PC review, and it runs like ass on PC. Poorly optimized would be a compliment in this case, and Ubisoft even came out and said they didn't give a crap. I was sort of amused by the DLC, where you can pay money to reveal the locations of activities and other things. At least it wasn't day 1 DLC to get the rest of the game!… Expand
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. NavyEurofighter
    Nov 21, 2013
    4
    I love this game, but the Pc version has a lot of Framerate issue and Ubisoft said they will not patch it for economic reasons, what a software house. PLEASE DON'T SPEND ANY MONEY ON IT, UBISOFT MUST CRY FOR THIS
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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
prev
Page:

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 »