The modern gaming world can often feel like a never-ending conveyor belt of bad news and dark clouds, but every now and then a little ray of sunlight will break through and spread a little joy or, as is the case with Assassin’s Creed Blag Flag Resynced, a whole two weeks in the Maldives worth in one glorious burst.
Whilst much has been (and should be) made of Assassin’s Creed Blag Flag Resynced’s new combat system, revised mission structures, extra content, huge amount of added dialogue and fantastic visuals, one area in particular really struck me as noteworthy – the variable weather system. What can easily be an oft-overlooked feature raises immersion to another level. Waving palm fronds swaying in a gentle breeze start to whip back and forth as the wind swiftly picks up turning sun-drenched shorelines into wave-ravaged wastelands in a totally convincing manner.
Taking its cues from recent Assassin’s Creed Shadows, developers Ubisoft has provided a slew of technical information on just how complex this system really is, tracking temperature, air pressure and humidity in real time. Weather systems evolve over time, with clear skies slowly filling with clouds before unleashing the heavens, turning calm seas into boiling, raging hurricanes, surrounding you with rogue waves that will sink The Jackdaw in a heartbeat.
With your crew singing another jaunty shanty in a seeming act of defiance against nature as the typhoons roll in and your trusty , every gust will have you fighting to keep control. Combine this with impressive dynamic lighting from lanterns glowing warmly as your boat dives from fore to aft and the effect is simply stunning. Technical details aside, what this really means is that the Caribbean has had a whole new lease of life.
Walking through the sunny streets of Havana, I remember the bustling streets starting to empty, vendors running from under canopies to take shelter behind closed doors as the clouds rolled in and the heavens opened. This isn’t just a particularly pretty graphical detail, it’s a living, breathing world that responds to whatever the gods decide to throw at it. I was no longer having to push through crowds on my way to the tavern but instead found myself alone in empty streets, feeling unusually alone and disoriented, vision reduced by the wall of falling rain pouring all around.
Before long, the sun broke through once again, glinting off of puddles left behind in the storm’s wake. Havana was once again coming back to life, drunks taking up residence on damp street corners, uniformed guards resuming their posts. It’s easy to believe that this is the game you have always remembered but believe me, it’s not. Every moment flows so seamlessly and, combined with a day/night cycle, it’s genuinely a sight to behold.
With this new weather system comes the opportunity for dramatic new photos of this fantastically rendered paradise. Whether you’re exploring deserted playas or hunting down another Templar, each encounter feels fresh, each offers a unique moment to capture for posterity. Combine this with the ability to skip time and you’ll spend just as much time working on getting the perfect shot as you will attempting to land a perfect shot on a nearby Spanish schooner.
Whilst you may not actually be able to actually visit the shores of distant lands this summer, this is virtual tourism at its best (and arguably worst). Sun, sea, swords and swashbuckling, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is an Ani-must play for both hardcore fans of the Assassin’s Creed series and would be privateers alike.
For our full review from our own Captain Mad Mick Fraser just click here.
