Remakes have become a popular trend in recent years within the video game industry. A safe bet to capitalize on nostalgia, while also an exciting creative possibility to revamp pre-existing properties, everything fromResident Evil 2toThe Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakeninghave received this treatment, with several more games confirmed to have a glow up in the years ahead. As welcome as these remakes are, there are occasions where some can raise an eyebrow over whether they are truly necessary, with the most recent example being rumors ofUbisoft’s newAssassin’s Creedprojectsincluding anAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagremake from the ground up.
This is still a rumor and should be taken with a grain of salt, however, the prospect of it has struck some players as a confusing decision. For one,Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagis barely 10 years old yet, and still holds up very well to this day. Similarly to Naughty Dog’s recentThe Last of Us Part 1, a remake of a game that also came out in 2013, some feel this is an odd choice, and that there are otherAssassin’s Creedgames that sooner need a remake. However, upon closer examination, there are a few key takeaways that could prove why Ubisoft has chosen this game over other options in the series.
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The Problem With Remaking Earlier Assassin’s Creed Games
Although there’s still room toremake olderAssassin’s Creedgames, the reasons against this happening could be more business-oriented as opposed to a creative setback. The very firstAssassin’s Creedfrom 2007 is often the subject of discussion for a remake, and it’s easy to see why. It’s the oldest, and is showing its age as the years go on, so it could benefit from a remake more than any other installment. However, this would be a bigger job thanBlack Flag, since most of that game’s mechanics and visuals generally hold up. The original game would need major work from Ubisoft’s development teams to get it up to modern standards, something which would take time and resources away from other projects.
As forAssassin’s Creed 2and Ezio’s other adventures, they are often considered the peak of the series and are highly beloved by fans. If Ubisoft remade these titles with new additions, it may risk a backlash from players who hold these classic games so dearly, and feel that they should never be tampered with.Assassin’s Creed 3,on the other hand, had a more lukewarm reception, and while it has its defenders, isn’t as fondly remembered as other entries. So whileAssassin’s Creed 3could benefit from a remakeas much as any other title, Ubisoft could deem it to not be a worthwhile endeavor due to its lack of popularity within the franchise.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Is The Safe Bet
Taking all of this into consideration, that leavesBlack Flagas logically the one game from the earlier days of the franchise that could receive a remake.Black Flagwas a big hitwhen it first hit shelves, and remains one of the most critically-praised entries in the entire series. While it still holds up, a visual upgrade and some gameplay tweaks would certainly be welcome additions to make it the best version of the game it can be.
It remains to be seen whether there is actually any truth to these rumors, however, and it does seem odd forUbisoft to remakeAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagso close to the imminent release of its other pirate themed gameSkull and Bones. All the same, to revisit one of the best entries in the series with a fresh coat of paint would be a pleasure for both old and new players alike.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagis available natively on PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Wii U.
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