** POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD **
IGN guides you to 100% sync in Sequence 03, Memory 04 of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag: "Raise the Black Flag".
Edward learns the dangers and excitements of raising his wanted level and defending himself against the brigs that chase him down.
= 100% Sync Requirements =
- Plunder 30 sugar.
- Plunder a hunter ship.
How far can you stray from home before it's impossible to ever return? That's the question at the heart of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. It's something that plagues Edward Kenway, the game's roguish hero, as he explores the Caribbean in search of wealth and the dream of returning to England a more respectable man. But for as much as Kenway longs for the day he can leave the pirate life behind, the freedom of the open sea is a difficult thing to resist. And who can blame him? Because after this stunning and beautifully realized tale of adventure on the high seas, it's hard to imagine the Assassin's Creed series returning to its landlocked roots
The world of Black Flag is nothing short of remarkable. This is the most expansive setting in the history of the franchise, a virtual rendition of the West Indies that encompasses all manner of burgeoning colonies, Mayan ruins, and deadly jungles. Cities like Havana and Nassau reflect the series' trademark attention to detail, from the stonework cathedrals of the former to the ramshackle taverns of the latter. Then there are the remote islands inhabited by nothing more than crabs and sea turtles, underwater shipwrecks waiting to be explored, and vast stretches of sparkling Caribbean waters that are every bit as deadly as they are gorgeous.
Indeed, what makes Black Flag so special is the way it captures the thrill of sailing the open sea. It's more than the spectacle of a humpback whale leaping into the air and spraying the deck of your ship, or the sound of your crew breaking out into a sea shanty just as the sun is beginning to set across the horizon. It's the feeling that there's always something out there to be discovered, rewards waiting to be captured no matter who's standing in your way.
Not all treasures are above water in Black Flag.
While less glaring, a similar lack of advancement can be found in Black Flag's multiplayer. The cat-and-mouse nature of Wanted and the co-op chaos of Wolfpack are still tremendous fun, but outside of a new story-driven tutorial mode, there aren't any substantial additions. Even though Assassin's Creed multiplayer has always occupied something of an "icing on the cake" role, it's a shame this part of the game hasn't enjoyed the same creative renewal that its single-player portion has.
But these moments of stagnation are isolated events in what is, ultimately, a massive and highly ambitious game. Black Flag presents a world full of adventure and opportunity, where treasures scavenged in a remote jungle can be used to turn the tide in a massive naval battle against mighty Spanish warships. It's a game where you can sail the seas for hours at a time, either hunting great white sharks or simply listening to your crew sing one infectious sea shanty after the next. There's an incredible scope to what you can do in Black Flag, with a level of harmony between its component parts that encourages you to try it all, and a story that keeps you invested throughout the whole thing. If there was ever any question that Assassin's Creed needed something ambitious to get the series back on track, Black Flag is that game and then some.
Flawed yet addictive, Assassin's Creed may be in need of a change.
Many nautical miles better than Assassin's Creed 3, Black Flag is somewhat of a return to form for a franchise stalled. For all its renewed appeal, however, it still suffers from being based on systems and mechanics that looked tired in 2009. It may be on next-generation systems, but this is last generation's game.
Grumpy old Connor Kenway has given way to his grandad, Edward, who's responsible for more piracy than Kim Dot Com. His drive isn't revenge, nor legacy or destiny: it's money, and is all the better for it. His flippant attitude fits nicely with the jaunty, sun-drenched...
Assassin's Creed 4's mechanics are as out of time as its settings, and the graphical upgrade of the next-generation versions isn't enough to distract from that. Here's what needs to change.
As with Ezio's trilogy, the appeal - cutting (literally) through well-realised historical locations - is obvious in Black Flag. Ubisoft Montreal's decision to abandon the grey-brown aesthetic of Part 3 and head to warmer, brighter climes is a good one. Even more so on PS4, with all the improved horsepower on offer. The lush greenery that litters the various islands (and, in the case of the new stalking zones, is integral to stealthy play) benefits from much-improved textures, combining well with the detailed, interesting stone-clad historical buildings to create an interesting balance...
Take us back to when beards were briny.
We enjoyed it, but Assassin's Creed 3 did some damage to the franchise's reputation. It traded in a charming Italian rogue for a virtuous, humourless brooder. Connor's earnest, ineloquent naivety made him an infuriating lead, who made you question your own motives for controlling him. Even his Templar dad was more charismatic, so much so that the opening hours as Haytham risked convincing players that we'd been fighting on the wrong side all along.
How far can you stray from home before it's impossible to ever return? That's the question at the heart of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. It's something that plagues Edward Kenway, the game's roguish hero, as he explores the Caribbean in search of wealth and the dream of returning to England a more respectable man. But for as much as Kenway longs for the day he can leave the pirate life behind, the freedom of the open sea is a difficult thing to resist. And who can blame him? Because after this stunning and beautifully realized tale of adventure on the high seas, it's hard to imagine the Assassin's Creed series returning to its landlocked roots
The world of Black Flag is nothing short of remarkable. This is the most expansive setting in the history of the franchise, a virtual rendition of the West Indies that encompasses all manner of burgeoning colonies, Mayan ruins, and deadly jungles. Cities like Havana and Nassau reflect the series' trademark attention to detail, from the stonework cathedrals of the former to the ramshackle taverns of the latter. Then there are the remote islands inhabited by nothing more than crabs and sea turtles, underwater shipwrecks waiting to be explored, and vast stretches of sparkling Caribbean waters that are every bit as deadly as they are gorgeous.
Indeed, what makes Black Flag so special is the way it captures the thrill of sailing the open sea. It's more than the spectacle of a humpback whale leaping into the air and spraying the deck of your ship, or the sound of your crew breaking out into a sea shanty just as the sun is beginning to set across the horizon. It's the feeling that there's always something out there to be discovered, rewards waiting to be captured no matter who's standing in your way.
Not all treasures are above water in Black Flag.
While less glaring, a similar lack of advancement can be found in Black Flag's multiplayer. The cat-and-mouse nature of Wanted and the co-op chaos of Wolfpack are still tremendous fun, but outside of a new story-driven tutorial mode, there aren't any substantial additions. Even though Assassin's Creed multiplayer has always occupied something of an "icing on the cake" role, it's a shame this part of the game hasn't enjoyed the same creative renewal that its single-player portion has.
But these moments of stagnation are isolated events in what is, ultimately, a massive and highly ambitious game. Black Flag presents a world full of adventure and opportunity, where treasures scavenged in a remote jungle can be used to turn the tide in a massive naval battle against mighty Spanish warships. It's a game where you can sail the seas for hours at a time, either hunting great white sharks or simply listening to your crew sing one infectious sea shanty after the next. There's an incredible scope to what you can do in Black Flag, with a level of harmony between its component parts that encourages you to try it all, and a story that keeps you invested throughout the whole thing. If there was ever any question that Assassin's Creed needed something ambitious to get the series back on track, Black Flag is that game and then some.
Ubisoft breathe life into Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag... The biggest praise we can heap onto Assassin's Creed IV is that pieces of its breathtaking oceanic playground remain with you long after you put the pad down.
