You know I was never interested in pirates at all... until I played this game. Assassins Creed 4 Black Flag is technically the 6th game in this series and is available on PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox360 and Xbox One.
I actually was not keen for this game... after the 3rd game with all that hype and I was so excited but I was just left disappointed and wanting! So when I heard about this game and the fact that it was coming out only a year later I was not keen, but then I started hearing reviews and people started saying that it was finally fun again so I decided to give it a chance.
Now I'm just going to stop here for a minute and let you know... I've lost the plot with this game. And what I mean by this is that when it comes to the whole futuristic or Sci-Fi element to this game I don't know what the **** is going on at all!
Ever since the very first game I have strongly disliked the Sci-Fi future setting in these games and have absolutely no interest in it. The only story element I was able to absorb from this game is that you play as Edward Kenway who is pretty much a pirate seeking riches. At the start of the game he ends up pretending to be an Assassin because he thinks it may lead him to riches. Now I don't have a problem with this idea but could a normal pirate seriously be able to have the skills of an Assassin without any kind of training... at all? Of course it throws in the templars and all sorts of weird shit that I just had a hard time following and honestly... the story mission weren't all that fun. I think that the story missions are the weakest part in this game and I didn't find much enjoyment playing that at all because they are mostly recycled missions used in previous games. Follow him, kill him, kill him without being seen, over and over again with these games. I crave something new when it comes to story missions, I'm not quite sure how to change it but I think by now it needs a change.
But story missions aside... this is an AWESOME game! Confused you haven't I? Yes the story missions are easily the weakest part of this game but the side missions... this is the first Assassins Creed game since 2 that I actually got addicted to doing these side missions. I just could not help myself! Not only is there a decent variety of side missions to do but they are fun to play and that's the important part! I loved plundering ships and taking out fortresses by sea, harpooning a Great White Shark which by the way was fucking AWESOME and not to mention terrifying and more!
The side missions in this game was the highlight for me, I had so much time doing them and I pretty much did close to every single side missions and do not regret doing it because it was so much fun! It's like they took the ideas from the 3rd game and made them awesome! Because from what I remember I did not like the Ship sections in the 3rd game at all! But here it's so much fun being captain of your very own ship, and having the freedom to sail where ever your heart desires. You can sail around the entire ocean without a loading screen except for a few of the bigger cities but that's not bad at all.
Now I've been talking a lot about being a pirate but there are also some sections in the future where you get to roam around a large office, hacking computers... yeah not much gameplay there mostly just to serve as the future storyline but like I said I really can't remember or follow that story.
Playing this game on PS4 I can start to notice it age. There are times when the game looks quite last gen but in saying that there are times in this game that look absolutely breathtaking and you just can't help but feel like you're in the Caribbean. I'm sure that the next Assassins Creed game will take advantage of next gen but for now this is still beautiful and was happy that the frame rate was pretty solid compared to previous games.
Online multiplayer is back once again pretty much as you remember it, with the same kind of modes like Wanted. I haven't really played a lot of the multiplayer but from what I played it was mostly more of the same so if you like that mode I'm sure you will still enjoy it as they seem to have added more skills and weapons to use.
So overall I seriously got addicted and loved the side missions, they were easily the best part about this game. I love all the new additions to the controls as well, being able to free aim now is wonderful but still a little wonky in a way. I got so many hours out of this game because of those side missions I pretty much left the story missions behind till the end haha
So this game is tricky to recommend because the main selling point is those side missions which might not be for everyone but I'll just say this, it's probably the best pirate simulator around :P So if you love pirates I'm sure you'll love this game, if you were let down by the 3rd game then you should still give this game a chance, it may surprise you :D
Pros
Pimp My Ship!
Hunting animals to craft items can become addictive.
Projectile weapons are now aim able.
I really feel like I'm in the hot and beautiful Caribbean
Fast travel (Islands, Cities, View Points)
Foliage can be used as cover while moving around.
Fun and addicting Side Missions (Ship Wreaks, Harpooning, Plundering, Treasure Hunting)
Eagle vision now lets you see your targets through walls making those pain in the ass following missions way easier!Would a pirate really be able to match the skills of a trained assassin without any training?
Cons
Story Missions are not much fun.
First hour or 2 feel very been there done that but hang in there until you get your ship :)