Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced’s Naval Combat Is Already Looking Like A Highlight

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It feels great to finally share this: we’ve spent about two and a half hours playing an early version of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, and we’re really impressed! While the updated graphics for Edward Kenway and the world are beautiful, Resynced offers much more than just a visual upgrade.

The game beautifully combines the classic elements that made the original so beloved with fresh new features, making it even more enjoyable than we remembered. Revisiting the Caribbean was fun, but what really stood out was commanding the Jackdaw ship.

The ship combat in the original game was a highlight, and it’s back in a big way. This time, it’s a chance to showcase the improved fighting system, both while sailing and boarding enemy vessels. We had some of our most exciting moments with the Jackdaw, and here’s a rundown of how it all played out.

The Gentle Waves

It’s easy to get lost in how good this game looks, but we won’t dwell on it for too long. Black Flag already had stunning graphics that really showcased the power of the PS4 and Xbox One when it first came out. Resynced takes those visuals even further, using all the latest technology to make the ocean look incredible – even compared to other visually impressive games like Valhalla.

The game’s water looks incredibly realistic, and sunlight reflects on the waves with stunning accuracy thanks to advanced ray tracing. When you damage enemy ships or structures, realistic fires will break out, casting dynamic shadows during intense battles. Even smaller details, like the warm glow of lanterns on your ship at night, are beautifully rendered, reflecting off surfaces to create a captivating atmosphere.

The game is now much more immersive thanks to significantly improved graphics and detail. New features like a detailed island map, a faster wagon, and realistic, dynamic weather at sea add a lot to the experience.

Now, how your ship handles depends on the weather and sea conditions. We noticed this right away, and it makes battles more strategic. Should you attack that ship on the horizon when a storm is brewing? In Black Flag, we’d usually just go for it. But in Resynced, we still end up fighting, though we take a moment to consider the risks first.

We have our reasons for engaging in combat, and it’s simple: battling the Jackdaw is incredibly fun for our crew and lets us wreak havoc on the ocean!

The Sound of Battle Horns

We immediately noticed a big improvement in the enemy ships at sea. Unlike in Black Flag, where upgraded ships could easily destroy opponents, Resynced features smarter, more organized fleets. You’ll need to carefully watch enemy ship positions and tactics to avoid damage and survive battles – simply upgrading your ship isn’t enough to win.

Players familiar with the weapons from the Jackdaw will find them recognizable, but new secondary functions add a strategic element, depending on how they work. We were excited to test features like the Shrapnel Barrels, which destroy enemy sails, and the 8-Pounder cannons that create more opportunities to damage opponents, but unfortunately, these weren’t available during our preview of the game.

One of the most exciting new features is how enemy ships now form alliances and rivalries with other seafaring groups, making naval combat much more unpredictable. We were hoping to see the Spanish navy intervene against a powerful British fleet that was trying to stop us from rescuing the new shipwright, Lucy Baldwin, but that particular scenario isn’t available just yet.

Taking down enemy ships and fortresses felt effortless, thanks to the smooth performance with the improved framerates and our well-honed skills from countless hours sailing the Caribbean in the Jackdaw. While naval combat in Resynced hasn’t been completely overhauled, that’s actually a positive – it retains the familiar feel players already enjoy.

Staying true to the idea of improving upon success, Resynced builds on an already strong naval combat system. It adds interesting new details to each battle, making them more engaging, while still allowing players to quickly get back into the rhythm of controlling the Jackdaw – even after a long break. Players will still be able to damage enemy ships to slow them down and then board them to take control.

The naval battles in Resynced are now complete, making this aspect of the remake nearly flawless.

The Clashes of Blades

The new combat system feels fantastic, especially when you’re boarding enemy ships. To be frank, combat in Black Flag was a bit too simple. You could easily defeat enemies by repeatedly attacking one while waiting for the next, and the forgiving parry timing meant you could quickly clear out groups of enemies with Edward. Resynced’s system, however, really shows how much the combat has been improved.

The impressive presentation and familiar combat of Black Flag likely masked its simple gameplay back then, but times have changed. With newer Assassin’s Creed games like Origins and beyond offering much more polished and challenging combat systems, players now expect to work for every successful attack and truly earn their victories.

In Resynced, Edward Kenway remains a dangerous pirate, steadily becoming a feared force at sea, but the Assassins are working hard to steer him toward a more honorable path. The sword fighting is now more challenging; successful blocks and counters require precise timing and careful observation of your enemies’ movements, so you’ll need to react at the very last second.

This single improvement transforms battles with enemy crews into a fast-paced, dangerous exchange, where a mistake could quickly turn the fight against you. But land a perfect block, and Edward can still seamlessly defeat up to four enemies in a row. Thanks to improved performance and more realistic animations, taking down enemy crews and breaking their spirit now demands a careful and strategic approach, forcing you to use all your skills and tools to gain an edge.

Use your surroundings to help you defeat enemies, making it easier to land powerful parry attacks. The new gear system will also be important in these fights, offering benefits like the ability to perform more chained takedowns or other advantages that add depth to combat.

Okay, so Resynced isn’t exactly breaking new ground, but it’s got some really cool updates that make it feel modern. Honestly, I wish I’d had more time to play – it really grabbed me!

Part of the Crew, Part of the Ship

Considering all the improvements and how they blend with the classic naval combat of Black Flag, Resynced promises to make the Jackdaw ship even more central to Edward’s story than before. In the original game, any beautiful day in the Caribbean practically begged you to set sail and forget about everything happening on land.

We’re really excited for the game to launch and explore the open seas! Until then, we’ll be patiently counting down the days, especially looking forward to playing as a beloved character. While Edward Kenway is a classic, we’re hopeful that Hexe will be just as great.

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2026-05-21 21:12