Food for Thought #02: Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

 
Isara
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I love pirates. I actually enjoy all sorts of games that have to do with pirates. Sailing the seven seas (usually it's just the Caribbean though) with my ship and crew as we lay waste to merchants and militants alike, finding treasures in the land, skirmishing against gentle entrepreneurs such as us, and sacking towns.

So, why is it enjoyable to play as the pirate? Maybe as I said above, it's the fascinating and unique capability that era can offer for adventure. Certainly sailing a ship at the time wasn't such a pleasure, some voyages tended to be long, sometimes food shortages or abusive captains, and also the worry that someone might attack one at any point must have been something harsh to live with.

Yet, in a game like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, you can play as a pirate freely. Explore the land that is available to you through the open world, go into towns and explore them as they are quite open for exploration with unique locations and events.

This leads us to the main character, and star of the game's plot, Edward Kenway. A no-good sailor who resorts to the wild life of a privateer to satisfy his greed, and lust for success. He's neither a Templar nor Assassin at the beginning of the game, yet he piques both sides throughout the game and eventually joins one side as the story develops.

Where's the enjoyment in playing a character such as Kenway? Well, the answer basically lies within the concept of fun as playing as a pirate. Kenway's life, shaped out of foppery and whim, followed by his ambitions is one that suits perfectly with the role. A more shy, or less brave and bold character wouldn't have suited such a story, because during reckless and insane stunts Kenway pulls of, chances are that they would have backed out.

Therefore, it's a game that has done right to create a character such as Kenway, in that specific setting and location and even era. However, there's the plot outside the “historical simulation” that talks about another main character, who was recently employed by Abstergo Entertainment.

Abstergo Entertainment in the story is one of the many companies owned by Abstergo – or the Templars, if you will. After the events of Assassin's Creed III, they were able to take the memories of Desmond Miles and then they plan to use them to produce entertainment devices which conveniently cover exciting bits of certain bloodlines for the player to enjoy.

So yes, a player finds oneself playing a game within a game. Where you are living the life as a Caribbean pirate, and then as some geek in an office. This part of the game with Abstergo Entertainment holds the major role for the “today” part of the story as there are returning characters who play an interesting role or two.

However, for those who have played through Assassin's Creed III and know what happened, why does Ubisoft continue the same plot? By all means, since Desmond Miles does not appear in the modern story anymore, does it mean that the story has found stagnation? A more conclusive answer will hopefully come with the release of Assassin's Creed Unity on that matter.

Skimming through the internet to read the reception, and sales of the game were a quite good. Reviewers and players went forward to praise the game as superior to Assassin's Creed III. Why is Black Flag received better than Assassin's Creed III?

Maybe the answer is not really that complicated. The nature of the story of Assassin's Creed III is one full of political intrigues, and the main customer base in the US maybe was affected not only by the story, and the context, but a main character that did not live up to the role of an Assassin. Previously it has been covered as to which Connor's issues may be in the game, but the narration of the game perhaps also played a more important long term effect than what one would normally assume.

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is a fun, exciting and adventurous game to play, for those who seek the life of a pirate, and those who seek adventure in the Caribbean or simply want to experience the next step in the story will always find what they are looking for.

What do you think about Black Flag, and do you think that it truly stands out as superior when compared to the previous title— Assassin's Creed III? And, what does it mean for you to play as a pirate?



Food for Thought is a series of critical outlooks on games written by Isara exclusively for Sep7agon.net. Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft, Ubi.com, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries.
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Last Edit: October 13, 2014, 05:05:11 PM by Isara


Yu | Mythic Inconceivable!
 
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Never played the game, but I love pirates, a lot. The game did look fun though from trailers and the like, nice analysis.


 
Isara
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It could have dwelled deeper into many other things, but I am following the suggestion to create them shorter, and allow the community to discuss the subject thus generating discussion. I am not sure if this is front page material yet, though.

Never played the game, but I love pirates, a lot. The game did look fun though from trailers and the like, nice analysis.
Last Edit: October 06, 2014, 07:28:50 AM by Isara


Yu | Mythic Inconceivable!
 
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It could have dwelled deeper into many other things, but I am following the suggestion to create them shorter, and allow the community to discuss the subject thus generating discussion. I am not sure if this is front page material yet, though.

Never played the game, but I love pirates, a lot. The game did look fun though from trailers and the like, nice analysis.
I would say your getting there, at any time whenever you feel its ready just tell me and I'll move it to the News board. Make sure to include a picture too, for when that happens.
Last Edit: October 06, 2014, 09:31:11 AM by Yutaka


 
Isara
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I am fine with the current condition, but what sort of picture is acceptable? Can I make one myself to reflect it as "Food for Thought" or I should just put a picture of the game's cover?

I would say your getting there, at any time whenever you feel its ready just tell me and I'll move it to the News board. Make sure to include a picture to, for when that happens.


Yu | Mythic Inconceivable!
 
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I am fine with the current condition, but what sort of picture is acceptable? Can I make one myself to reflect it as "Food for Thought" or I should just put a picture of the game's cover?

I would say your getting there, at any time whenever you feel its ready just tell me and I'll move it to the News board. Make sure to include a picture to, for when that happens.
A game cover would be better.


 
Isara
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Alright, done. I'll keep this in mind for future submissions.

A game cover would be better.


Yu | Mythic Inconceivable!
 
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TBlocks pls, she didn't want it moved.


 
TB
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TBlocks pls, she didn't want it moved.
Wtf yea she did. She said it in the post above yours. 0.o


Yu | Mythic Inconceivable!
 
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TBlocks pls, she didn't want it moved.
Wtf yea she did. She said it in the post above yours. 0.o
She said she was fine with posting in Gaming for the time being, until she gets better at them.


 
TB
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TBlocks pls, she didn't want it moved.
Wtf yea she did. She said it in the post above yours. 0.o
She said she was fine with posting in Gaming for the time being, until she gets better at them.
Well I misinterpreted that.
Move it back then *Shrugs*
My bad.


 
Isara
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I am fine with it being where it is now. It will allow more exposure, hopefully actual discussion on what it talks about, and some feedback even.

She said she was fine with posting in Gaming for the time being, until she gets better at them.


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I enjoyed Black Flag a lot more than the buggy, glitchy mess that was Assassin's Creed 3.  3 wasn't a total failure, but it was a huge disappointment to one of the series' most anticipated games (though The Tyranny of King Washington was fun as all hell).  Black Flag revived a lot of peoples' faith in the franchise while successfully reigning in new people, and has left us all waiting for Rogue and Unity with much anticipation.

I do want to know what the "main" story in the modern times is going to be with Unity.  Are we still going to be playing a nameless, faceless character from Black Flag?  I didn't have too much of a problem with that, especially when old faces started popping up in the game, but I don't want this to become a trend.

In Black Flag, my favorite moments were usually when Edward was paling around with Blackbeard.  That shit was awesome, especially when Blackbeard revealed his most notorious image with the burning essence and fuses.


 
 
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