Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag’s Remake Is Great, but It’s the Wrong One

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After much speculation, Ubisoft has officially announced a remake of one of its most popular games ever: Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Resynched. The original Black Flag is still considered a highlight of the Assassin’s Creed series, with players loving the experience of commanding a ship and sailing the Caribbean as Edward Kenway. Its naval combat was groundbreaking for its time on consoles like the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and it remains one of the best games at capturing the thrill of being a pirate. Even today, it’s easy to get lost for hours exploring the game’s islands, hunting ships, and enjoying the atmosphere aboard the Jackdaw.

Even though I’m looking forward to the possible remake, I’m really disappointed with Ubisoft. Cancelling the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake was a letdown, particularly after seeing the progress on Black Flag Resynched. The original Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time isn’t available on newer consoles and feels dated. With Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown being so well-received, Ubisoft seemed like they had a great chance to revitalize a classic franchise. However, they’re choosing to remake a game that still holds up well today.

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Holds Up Exceptionally Well

Many fans are skeptical about a remake of Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag because the original game still holds up incredibly well today and is considered one of the greatest pirate games ever made. Released in 2013 across multiple platforms – including PlayStation 3 & 4, Xbox 360 & One, Wii U, and PC – Ubisoft has consistently made sure it’s remained playable. It’s even available on Nintendo Switch and runs smoothly in handheld mode, making it easily accessible to modern players.

One of the great things about Black Flag is how well it still runs on today’s computers and consoles – you don’t need to worry about old hardware or compatibility problems. Plus, the game still looks fantastic! The tropical islands, realistic water, weather, and naval battles hold up surprisingly well even when compared to more recent open-world games. I revisited Black Flag for a bit of nostalgia and was really impressed by how good it looked, how smoothly the ship handled, and everything else it had to offer.

A remake isn’t necessarily a bad idea – updated graphics, improved ship combat, and more modern fighting could actually make Black Flag even better. However, the original game holds up surprisingly well and is readily available on today’s consoles, so a remake doesn’t feel as pressing as it does for some other older Ubisoft games. While things like stealth sections and repetitive fights could be improved, the fundamental experience of Black Flag is still enjoyable even now.

Prince of Persia Needs the Help More

Compared to newer titles, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time feels dated. When it came out in 2003, it was groundbreaking with its fluid movement, dramatic story, and unique ability to rewind time. Many modern action-adventure games, including Assassin’s Creed, have borrowed ideas from The Sands of Time, a connection Ubisoft has often highlighted. However, despite its influence, the game is difficult to play on today’s consoles.

As a big fan, it’s always been frustrating trying to replay this game. You either need old consoles, have to mess with PC settings, or rely on streaming. And honestly, even when you do get it working, it definitely feels dated. The controls, combat, and platforming just don’t feel as good as we remember them – nostalgia can be powerful! That’s why everyone was so hyped when the remake was announced. We’re all hoping Ubisoft will give the classic a beautiful update with smooth, modern gameplay while keeping the story we love intact.

The project gained notoriety after a poorly received trailer in 2020. Ubisoft then restarted development, indefinitely delaying the game and removing it from its original release schedule. Frustration grew when Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown became a major success in 2024, demonstrating the franchise’s potential with focused attention. The game’s combat, platforming, and level design attracted new players and pleased longtime fans, proving the series could still flourish. This success highlighted just how important The Sands of Time remains to gaming history.

Ubisoft’s Remake Priorities Feel Backward

I’m really looking forward to a remake of Black Flag and will definitely buy it as soon as it’s released. The thought of revisiting a completely updated Caribbean with today’s technology is amazing. Ubisoft has a great opportunity to make the naval combat smarter, the cities more detailed, ship customization even deeper, and create a truly seamless open-world ocean experience that wasn’t possible back in 2013. Black Flag is still a fantastic game, but seeing projects like Resynched makes me even more eager for a new, high-quality pirate adventure.

Despite the buzz, there’s still frustration about the state of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake. It feels like Ubisoft is focusing on the wrong game when you compare the two. Black Flag is still readily available, looks good, and plays well, while Sands of Time is becoming outdated and hard to play on today’s computers and consoles. Remakes usually succeed when they bring back games that are difficult for people to enjoy now, and Black Flag doesn’t have that problem.

The game The Sands of Time was incredibly important for Ubisoft, fundamentally changing the kinds of games they make. It’s highly likely that Assassin’s Creed wouldn’t exist in its current form without it. Ubisoft still uses ideas from The Sands of Time – like how characters move, how stories are told, and how players explore environments – in many of their games today. That’s why it’s frustrating for dedicated fans like me to see Black Flag getting so much attention while The Sands of Time remains largely ignored, even while we’re excited about other Ubisoft releases.

With the positive reception to The Lost Crown and the upcoming Black Flag remake, Ubisoft might finally reinvest in the Prince of Persia series. It’s clear there’s strong fan interest, and a remake of The Sands of Time seems likely down the line – fans have been requesting it for years. While another Black Flagstyle adventure would be great, revisiting the classic Persian settings of The Sands of Time* also deserves a new look.

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2026-05-08 23:14