User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2658 Ratings

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  1. Dec 9, 2013
    8
    no Abstergo mumbo jumbo, and a few repetitive missions striped away and this game is a masterpiece as a pirate game on it's own! definitely my favourite from the whole AC franchise.
  2. Dec 23, 2013
    9
    ACIV: Black Flag is by far my favorite entry in the franchise, and I'm looking forward to continuing the game withe DLC. The game was stunning to look at and the story was great. The only drawbacks I felt the game had were the redundancy of certain missions, and no variety of options to obtain items needed for upgrades.

    Overall ACIV is a fantastic game.
  3. Dec 23, 2013
    9
    I wanted to wait until I finished this game before writing anything, and so I have. It took me from launch day until late December, but I have collected every animus fragment and finished the story. And It. Was. Glllllorious. A nearly perfect open world sandbox pirate game, with everything you liked about Assassin's Creed games, with the best character and best story so far.
  4. Ed_
    Jun 5, 2014
    8
    The game is fantastic, enjoyable. Despite the new era and the new gameplay Assassin's Creed 4 could continue its ancestors' success. The story is great as always. No bugs and there are no problems with controls. The game worth every penny.

    Can't wait for the new Unity.
  5. Dec 20, 2013
    8
    I was less than overwhelmed with Assassin's Creed III, as my review indicates. Nevertheless, AC IV was my top choice for a PS4 launch title. From the moment I washed up on the game's first island, I instantly found this version more compelling. The new protagonist, Edward Kenway, lives some time before Connor. He's a pirate, rather than an assassin, and a slightly unsavory character. He'sI was less than overwhelmed with Assassin's Creed III, as my review indicates. Nevertheless, AC IV was my top choice for a PS4 launch title. From the moment I washed up on the game's first island, I instantly found this version more compelling. The new protagonist, Edward Kenway, lives some time before Connor. He's a pirate, rather than an assassin, and a slightly unsavory character. He's convinced he can make his fortune, chasing one far-fetching dream after another. He's more interesting than either protagonist from AC3, but more over, the game is just more fun. The scenes are broken down into a number of small locations, and when you get everything in one, it turns gold on your map. Which basically meant I ran around trying to turn as many locations gold as possible. For the first time in a long, long time, I found myself interested in accomplishing everything in game. In the end I didn't, not quite. The game was a bit larger than I would have liked for doing everything, and while I loved the exploration, by the end, I was ready for it to be over.

    Graphics:
    The beautiful Caribbean setting pops, especially on PS4. This is by far the prettiest game in the franchise, making simply running around and climbing stuff fun in a way that hasn't been since about AC 2 (the first one).

    Story:
    Edward Kenway is a protagonist out for himself--selfish and short-sighted. But despite seeing his self-destructive path, I still felt for him. And seeing him slowly grow as a character was a pleasure. The story is mostly fun and free-spirited, but tinged with a hint of regret, as the age of piracy is dying and Edward begins to realize that his style of living does have a cost.

    In the present, a new, unnamed protagonist takes Desmond's place. The new guy or gal--you never know--is working for Abstergo Entertainment, who is making a virtual reality experience for retail from the memories of Desmond ancestors. Of course, that's a cover, but your hero isn't in on the real loop. It's all kind of tongue-in-cheek. Honestly, since the Desmond sections of AC3 were the best part, I found these sections here a bit of a let down. They mainly consist of hacking mini-games, most of which grew tedious long before I uncovered all the secrets.

    Gameplay:
    The overall play experience is similar to AC 3, but refined in almost every way. Gone are annoying lock picking mini games, that made me actually walk past checks in that game. Now, I go out of my way to collect all the treasures--because, hey, pirate treasure! The game places a lot of emphasis on naval battles, but fortunately, the battles themselves, and upgrading your ship, are actually pretty fun.

    In fact, the only tedium I really faced was the real-world hacking mini games, and feeling like a few too many eavesdropping missions cropped up. Don't get me wrong--the occasional eavesdropping or tail-the-guy mission breaks up the gameplay, but it becomes frustrating if you fail and are repeatedly forced to reload. I would have liked it better if, more like AC 1, there were alternatives and the game didn't just reload when things went awry.
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  6. Apr 26, 2014
    9
    When I reviewed this game for the PS3 I loved it, But I told that Black Flag did not have enough to do, But after playing this game on PS4 for 5 months now, I am able to say that Black Flag was a experience, It has lot of stuff to do and is just fun, AC4 has a brilliant main character, Edward along with Ed Thatch, Adawale, James Kidd and others create a story which is centered aroundWhen I reviewed this game for the PS3 I loved it, But I told that Black Flag did not have enough to do, But after playing this game on PS4 for 5 months now, I am able to say that Black Flag was a experience, It has lot of stuff to do and is just fun, AC4 has a brilliant main character, Edward along with Ed Thatch, Adawale, James Kidd and others create a story which is centered around money, It never takes itself seriously, Gameplay is fun and you spend a lot of time upgrading the Jackdaw which is your ship and buy all sorts of weapons and outfits, However the true problem with AC games still stands, Which are these annoying main missions which involve tailing, Eavesdropping and assassinating, The missions have moderate variety and I hope they innovate with that soon enough, Nonetheless AC4 is amazing, a game that will make you come back to it very often and a game that I would recommend it to anyone ! 9/10 !!! Expand
  7. Nov 17, 2013
    9
    Its a good game a sign of things to come, best launch Tittle for the ps4. Its a very fun game the only knock I have is I wish there was more control on the stealth aspect of the game.
  8. Jul 13, 2014
    9
    Easily the best game in the Assassin's Creed franchise. After the low that was Assassin's Creed 3, I think most fans can agree that we were worried about the next AC being a disappointment, as well.

    Connor was probably the most disliked AC character to date, with his monotone, mediocre voice-acting and overall dull "must do right" character. Edward Kenway, on the other hand, brings a
    Easily the best game in the Assassin's Creed franchise. After the low that was Assassin's Creed 3, I think most fans can agree that we were worried about the next AC being a disappointment, as well.

    Connor was probably the most disliked AC character to date, with his monotone, mediocre voice-acting and overall dull "must do right" character.

    Edward Kenway, on the other hand, brings a much lighter tone to the franchise, akin to Jack Sparrow.

    The story is great. The combat, crafting, free-running and everything else has all been revamped. I bought this game the day it came out and it has quickly become my favorite Assassin's Creed.
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  9. Dec 26, 2013
    9
    Graphics: Amazing, some of the best on next gen, but still not. 9.5.

    Sound: Amazing soundtrack, great voice acting. 10. Gameplay: The game mixes in elements from the old AC games but adds in a ton of “sea gameplay”. In this game you get to sail the seas as a pirate plunder ships for treature/materials, the ship gameplay has been advanced from AC3. The majority of the game
    Graphics: Amazing, some of the best on next gen, but still not. 9.5.

    Sound: Amazing soundtrack, great voice acting. 10.

    Gameplay: The game mixes in elements from the old AC games but adds in a ton of “sea gameplay”. In this game you get to sail the seas as a pirate plunder ships for treature/materials, the ship gameplay has been advanced from AC3. The majority of the game takes place on the sea and the game is actually made difficult. For example you need to plunder ships to upgrade your jackdaw ship to continue on the sequences so they’re not as tough. The games multiplayer is similar to the previous games, but it is still very fun and addicting, although I felt AC3 wasn't as glitchy. The singleplayer also has issues connecting to uplay servers, making it a pain for those that want to access the in-game fleet, or those hoping to get annoying trophies like sharing is caring. Typical UBI-Glitch for ya. The game is good the features are glitchy. 9.

    Story: The story is great, and the new character Edward is likeable more than Connor to most, he will feel like the character with charm, and gives the game the right balance it needed for a while. The story unfolds in a predictable way, but also this game does not feel like an AC game and could have been a standalone pirate game. The out of animus story never really progresses, leaving more cliffhangers and disappointments. Average story. 7

    Replay Value: Tons of stuff no doubt. The game itself can take from 12-20 hours to complete plus there’s multiplayer, and tons of collectibles/side missions. 10.

    Overall Score: 9.1 out of 10.
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  10. Nov 22, 2013
    9
    I have found my time in the West Indies to be a more fun and open experience than I ever thought it would be in my return to the series. While I have logged over 70 hours across two different platforms I rarely felt like I was aimlessly adrift. The creators do a good job giving you the tools you need to start enjoying the world and then turning you loose. They have distilled the previousI have found my time in the West Indies to be a more fun and open experience than I ever thought it would be in my return to the series. While I have logged over 70 hours across two different platforms I rarely felt like I was aimlessly adrift. The creators do a good job giving you the tools you need to start enjoying the world and then turning you loose. They have distilled the previous iterations of the series into a more expansive, refined and adventurous game.

    There are some things I would have liked to see a bit more polished. While movement is good overall, there were times where I felt it was lacking (usually when falling to my "death" or chasing after someone). Also, like most open world games there are some small glitches or exploits you could abuse if you so choose. Finally, while I enjoyed the story line overall, I felt that the pirate theme could have stood on it's own and the "Assassin's Creed" parts were a bit shoe-horned. It wasn't glaring or a big issue just something I felt while playing.

    Next Gen versus current gen:
    At first I didn't notice a big change, as I was looking at character models looked, clothing etc. While you could tell a difference it wasn't glaring, then I started to really play the game. While subtle, the changes aren't small. The biggest change is the draw distance and clarity at range. Where before you could tell there was a soldier off in the distance, now you can see him clearly.You can tell what weapon(s) he has, direction he's facing etc. The world as a whole is much more clear and moves more naturally, especially I noted the water, explosions and smoke.

    Black Flag has a few flaws but it's a lush and vibrant world where I was able to have some pretty incredible adventures.
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  11. Nov 25, 2013
    9
    Assassins Creed 4 was definitely a pleasant surprise for me this year, and on next gen it looks beautiful. I won't dwell on the graphics too long, but the next gen versions look stunning. It may be early in the next gen life cycle, and still not be miles ahead of the current gen versions, but the difference is noticeable.

    I have played all the Assassin's Creed games, and the sheer
    Assassins Creed 4 was definitely a pleasant surprise for me this year, and on next gen it looks beautiful. I won't dwell on the graphics too long, but the next gen versions look stunning. It may be early in the next gen life cycle, and still not be miles ahead of the current gen versions, but the difference is noticeable.

    I have played all the Assassin's Creed games, and the sheer amount of things to do in this game, from plundering and boarding ships, assassination contracts, finding relics, exploring the sea and acting like a bad ass pirate, and just traversing the world doing a bunch of other mini side quests( which are actually really, really fun this time!) is astounding! I have never had this much fun playing an Assassin's Creed game.

    Now for the story. The story is a fun change of pace from the rest of the series, and unlike other critics this does not disappoint me. The story focuses on more of your life as a pirate stuck in the middle of the Assassin-Templar feud, and this tends to get amusing and is quite enjoyable playing both sides and showing them who's boss, in badass assassin-pirate style!

    This is my first review so I am going to keep it really short.

    Thanks for reading, hope you like the game!
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  12. Feb 23, 2014
    8
    A wealth of content and nice colorful graphics and atmosphere (a nice contrast from earlier gen titles on PS3). The game isn't a true next gen game but the load times are relatively short, there's a wealth of content and occasionally there's a feel good sensation of successful play. Upgrades make a true sense of progression and new play toys.

    The downside is clunky controls that will
    A wealth of content and nice colorful graphics and atmosphere (a nice contrast from earlier gen titles on PS3). The game isn't a true next gen game but the load times are relatively short, there's a wealth of content and occasionally there's a feel good sensation of successful play. Upgrades make a true sense of progression and new play toys.

    The downside is clunky controls that will often cause screw-ups. Run and climb are tied to one button and the character will often get stuck breaking momentum and climbing during a chase if they get too near a wall. Combat is reduced to waiting for enemies attack to make a parry-riposte which other enemies will wait for you to finish.

    Characters are likable even if the plot seems meandering. Overall a good game to play while you wait for more dedicated PS4 games.
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  13. Dec 3, 2013
    8
    Probably one of the best Assassin's Creed games since 2, and looks gorgeous on the PS4. Great fun overall, and lots to do. However, while bringing some great new additions on the gameplay side, it still carries many of the flaws of its predecessors.
    Also, in my opinion, Ubisoft should have taken the naval part and made it a new IP, focused on the Pirates mythology, rather than try to
    Probably one of the best Assassin's Creed games since 2, and looks gorgeous on the PS4. Great fun overall, and lots to do. However, while bringing some great new additions on the gameplay side, it still carries many of the flaws of its predecessors.
    Also, in my opinion, Ubisoft should have taken the naval part and made it a new IP, focused on the Pirates mythology, rather than try to force the Assassin's Creed lore into the pirate fantasy.
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  14. Dec 5, 2013
    8
    First off, I must admit I am not much a fan of the Assassin's Creed series. After playing the first game, that I didn't enjoy, I thought I would be done. However I gave Black Flag a try and was very happy with the decision. From the collectibles, the missions, and sailing, there is plenty of content to enjoy that never feels like busy work. There are some things that do get in the way fromFirst off, I must admit I am not much a fan of the Assassin's Creed series. After playing the first game, that I didn't enjoy, I thought I would be done. However I gave Black Flag a try and was very happy with the decision. From the collectibles, the missions, and sailing, there is plenty of content to enjoy that never feels like busy work. There are some things that do get in the way from enjoying the game but those are features from the original game. Accidentally taking the rope up to the crows nest on my ship was too often of an occurrence to forgive it. Missions expectations being delayed until after I failed to complete them was also another hindrance to my enjoyment.

    However those are minor enough still give it an 8/10. The sailing, ship to ship combat, and fighting a rogue wave were so enjoyable that I will play it again just experience the excitement again. Nothing is more satisfying in that game than the moment when you realize that when you set sail for the first time, you are in total control.
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  15. Sep 30, 2014
    8
    A very enjoyable experience with stunning visuals and a vast and beautiful open world and a strong story, Assassin's Creed IV is a game I would recommend to any fan of the franchise or open world games in general.

    It certainly isn't the traditional Assassin's Creed formula, but the change is far from bad.
  16. Dec 14, 2013
    10
    Amazing game, a great re-boot the the Assassins Creed franchise.

    The game still has many frustrating bits in it like poorly placed checkpoints in missions, or the lack of for that matter but taking all aspects of the game into consideration this game is amazing. The graphics look stunning in comparison to the last generation PS3/xbox. The storyline is far better than that of AC3,
    Amazing game, a great re-boot the the Assassins Creed franchise.

    The game still has many frustrating bits in it like poorly placed checkpoints in missions, or the lack of for that matter but taking all aspects of the game into consideration this game is amazing.

    The graphics look stunning in comparison to the last generation PS3/xbox.

    The storyline is far better than that of AC3, which as everyone knows this game is a prequel too, the game removes the majority of problems AC3 suffered from but it leavces behind many that have to be addressed by next November.

    The DLC is great and I am hoping for one they keep adding single player content as the mutliplayer content, isn't worth my time as it sets impossible goals for players to reach in order to get the trophies needed, which for beginners in online mode isn't fair as you are usually paired with people much higher than you (In my case 3x higher) Multiplayer to me is were they game loses my interest as it is much the same, I would prefer them to allow players to filter matches to be placed with equally skilled players to level the playing field.

    The story seems to short for me and side quests to repetitive.

    Anti Aliasing is still a problem for this game like most PS4 games, which I am very disappointed with as at this stage that should be 100% eliminated.
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  17. Jan 15, 2014
    9
    If You Didnt Like Assassins Creed 3's Naval Missions You Might Think To Yourself , Why Buy This Game ? Well Here Is Why A) They Made The Naval Missions A Lot Easier And Simpler To Adapt To B) Playing As A Chris Hemsworth Look-A-Like Pirate Is Awesome C) The Graphics Look Absolutely Stunning Closest To PC You'll Get On A Home Console D) You Get Some Extra DLC For The PS4 Like Playing AsIf You Didnt Like Assassins Creed 3's Naval Missions You Might Think To Yourself , Why Buy This Game ? Well Here Is Why A) They Made The Naval Missions A Lot Easier And Simpler To Adapt To B) Playing As A Chris Hemsworth Look-A-Like Pirate Is Awesome C) The Graphics Look Absolutely Stunning Closest To PC You'll Get On A Home Console D) You Get Some Extra DLC For The PS4 Like Playing As Aveline From Assassins Creed Liberation , the list goes on , overall the game plays the same as the other games in the series but just looks superior and more polished it will also keep you busy long after you finish the main quest , with lots of side quests , treasures and collectibles to find , i been at it for a week and i can say it 100% upgraded on the 3rd One Expand
  18. Dec 23, 2013
    8
    Overall, this game was an okay game. Its average graphics, average combat style, and monotonous ship battles and traveling make the game only mediocre and make it less fun then the other games in the series. Although, Assassins Creed 4 is slightly repetitive, certain weapons and missions make it a lot better. One aspect of the game that I really enjoyed was the new weapons such as theOverall, this game was an okay game. Its average graphics, average combat style, and monotonous ship battles and traveling make the game only mediocre and make it less fun then the other games in the series. Although, Assassins Creed 4 is slightly repetitive, certain weapons and missions make it a lot better. One aspect of the game that I really enjoyed was the new weapons such as the berserk darts which caused people to attack anyone in sight. Another thing I liked was the fact that you and your crew have the ability to take over forts and plunder them. In conclusion I think that this was a good addition to the series, and Ubisoft could expand on this idea in future games to come. Expand
  19. Feb 4, 2014
    8
    A truly impressive amount of content in one game. An interesting story line and a new approach to playing at current time as an Abstergo employee. I won't go into spoilers, so don't worry.

    The fighting style is pretty comparable to all the other AC titles, hit square and triangle over and over, but the animation keeps it interesting. The ability to aim a gun is an absolute revolution
    A truly impressive amount of content in one game. An interesting story line and a new approach to playing at current time as an Abstergo employee. I won't go into spoilers, so don't worry.

    The fighting style is pretty comparable to all the other AC titles, hit square and triangle over and over, but the animation keeps it interesting. The ability to aim a gun is an absolute revolution in this title and a great improvement. Fast-travelling does become somewhat of a nightmare when your trying to get all the assassin and naval contracts and the end of the game, as well as finding all fragments and chests that were loaded into a shotgun and fired at the map.
    I DO NOT like the number of uncharted islands with chests and Animus fragments, they are NOT enjoyable and consume a lot of time. (OK everyone! Let's sail to the 200 small islands individually, jumping off and on your boat each time just to get 300 reales or a fragment! Sound fun?)
    I would have liked a better sailing speed and turning system, something more in depth with actual sailing, but the aiming of cannons, ship weapon variety, and numerous upgrades keep it interesting.
    The storyline is...well, long. I'll admit I love the First Civ references and sailing the Queen Anne and a Man o' War was AMAZING. Unfortunately, they reminded me that i would have preferred being able to choose any ship, not just one. Each could have had an upgrade set, abilities, advantages, disadvantages...oh well.
    I recommend this game for someone who enjoys playing before they finish the story. DO NOT WAIT TO GET COLLECTIBLES AT THE END. It gets boring.

    FEUDAL JAPAN FOR AC5!!
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  20. Feb 8, 2014
    7
    Esta bien, pero no disfrutas a lo loco, con el dineral que se gastan podría estar mucho mejor, pero cumple. He jugado a todos los assassins creed y bueno, este en ps4 debo decir que noté mucho mas el salto grafico en el tres que en este... No puedo evitar fijarme en eso
  21. Apr 9, 2014
    9
    I first played the first assasin's creed and never really got in to it. I found the game and story uninteresting. I took a chance on ACIV when I bought my PS4 and I'm very pleased that I did. I have been playing this on and off for around 5 months now and I still enjoy it, even without touching multiplayer. This is a great game with an engaging storyline and tons of side activities to do.
  22. Jun 9, 2014
    9
    This is how I like my games. A good plot, awesome main characters, spot on gameplay. A massive improvement from AC3, I might add. The repetitive side missions, frustrating island hopping and (rarely) annoying controls take away the one point. The immersion, the fun and everything I expect of a proper game are there. More, please.
  23. Mar 6, 2014
    8
    First off I'm not an Assassin's Creed fanboy, and this was my first title I've played within the series. I bought this because of the massive underwhelming PS4 launch, and I expected this to be a solid game. The graphics were solid and comparable to the highest end of PS3 and the gameplay was definitely enjoyable. The only detractor I see from having this be an amazing game is theFirst off I'm not an Assassin's Creed fanboy, and this was my first title I've played within the series. I bought this because of the massive underwhelming PS4 launch, and I expected this to be a solid game. The graphics were solid and comparable to the highest end of PS3 and the gameplay was definitely enjoyable. The only detractor I see from having this be an amazing game is the storyline, which seems to fizzle at the very end. Expand
  24. Mar 17, 2014
    8
    EXCEPTIONAL - I play AC games primarily for story while visiting multiplayer on occasions. The single player story was interesting enough to make drive me to complete it. The vast world of the game is a big strong point and kept me engaged. I payed full retail price at launch (60 USD) and support my purchase.
  25. Mar 20, 2014
    8
    Having played all of the Assassin's Creed games, I can certainly say this does not disappoint. However, I really miss the ability to upgrade parts of my armor separately; that would have fit this game excellently.
  26. Mar 23, 2014
    7
    Much improved gameplay since AC3 and is very nice looking. Whether you like this game will come down to one thing.... do you like going around for hours on end in a boat. I do not so therefore found this installment boring but lots of mates enjoyed the boating part so it really comes down to that. I just hope that i never see a boat in assassins creed ever again
  27. May 29, 2014
    8
    The controls were smooth and responsive but the gameplay felt dated and lacklustre. While Kenway is a likeable protagonist, the story is a bit disjointed and forgettable. Never really felt like an assassin, but I do like the pirate theme. I think the graphics and collectibles kept me going in this game.
  28. Mar 30, 2014
    7
    First of all, this game looks fantastic. The controls, plot-line, and cut scenes are all pretty awkward, and the story is classic assassin's creed bad. But we're all really playing it for the take downs and exploration, of which are are plenty. If you've already got a ps4, I'd recommend this one, otherwise, wait til its less than $50.
  29. Apr 17, 2014
    8
    Ships, Pirates, and underwater treasure. This game is awesome! Battling on the seas feels so good and while it may take some time getting used to when you do, you feel like a boss. My only real complaint with this game is the combat feels a tad weak. The combos are pretty repetitive and doesn't keep me as engaged. All in all, a great port of a great game.
  30. May 21, 2014
    8
    Assassin's Creed IV is a great game. The game-play was very fun. In my opinion the naval combat mechanics were the best part of this game. It was amazing, there is nothing like taking on a man of war and earning a big reward when you come out on top. There are so many things you can do in this game: you can sail to the open seas, you can fight other ships, look for buried treasure, takeAssassin's Creed IV is a great game. The game-play was very fun. In my opinion the naval combat mechanics were the best part of this game. It was amazing, there is nothing like taking on a man of war and earning a big reward when you come out on top. There are so many things you can do in this game: you can sail to the open seas, you can fight other ships, look for buried treasure, take over forts, and so much more. There are a couple things in this game that annoy me; the combat in this game was way too easy. You can easily beat this game using the default swords and pistols. The story in this game was nothing special. You play as Edward Kenway, a pirate trying to become rich. I thought Edward Kenway was an interesting character, but all the other characters in this game are forgettable. For example some of the characters you meet in this game will die and when it happens you really don’t care as much you should, which hurts the impact of the story overall. I always thought the Abstergo scenes hurt the AC story-line because they always take away from the main story you've been playing the whole game. The graphics in this game are good considering it was developed for last gen. Overall this is a very fun and addictive open world game. If you’re an AC fan I would recommend it, just for the naval combat alone. Expand
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 29
  2. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Apr 20, 2014
    90
    The PlayStation 4 version of the game is mechanically the same as the PlayStation 3 version, but the new engine is eye-poppingly awesome.
  2. Ubisoft significantly improved the multiplayer side of things. Also, story takes you places.
  3. Jan 4, 2014
    80
    It’s difficult to imagine Assassin’s Creed ever leaving the sea behind.