What's the story?

In the 1700s, pirate Edward Kenway sails in search of riches but is conscripted into a battle between assassins and templars. In the present day, a templar front organisation digitises his memories to locate a lost observatory housing great power.

Time to avert another world-changing conspiracy effort, then.

Gameplay

The bulk of the game, in Kenway's time, retains the familiar blend of stealth, parkour, and combat. Naval battles are more prevalent, befitting the pirate theme, and thankfully less frustrating than in Assassin's Creed III. Controlling the maritime camera is a special hell. In the present, a new first-person perspective creates an immersive, mystery-adventure feel – a fine addition.

Highs and lows

The real highlight of Black Flag is the protagonist. Edward Kenway proves immediately more likeable than the previous game's Connor, thanks to his mixture of Johnny Depp-esque swagger and a grey morality. The game feels more like a refinement of its predecessor than a leap forward in its own right – which is not the next gen debut that fans may have hoped for.

The verdict

Players buying on PS4 or Xbox One may be disappointed to find the biggest improvement is largely an aesthetic one but Black Flag is, overall, a return to form for a series that seemed to be waning. The modern-day settings are a divergence, almost feeling experimental, but nothing that rocks an otherwise seaworthy boat.