In the age of video game remakes, it was only a matter of time until Ubisoft decided to bring back one of their iconic titles, with reports suggesting that an Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remake is starting development.
The news of a potential Black Flag remake was first reported by Kotaku. According to two close sources to the project, the outlet explains that the remake is still in the very early stages of development, meaning we won't be seeing it any time soon.
It's quite interesting that the reported remake will be focused on the fourth entry in the long-standing Assassin's Creed franchise rather than bringing back the original title with a fresh coat of paint, especially since the game isn't as old as other remakes that have taken the gaming world by storm in recent years.
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remake - Is it real?
The Kotaku report explains that Ubisoft Singapore is allegedly one of the main studios in charge of the AC 4: Black Flag remake.
If they sound familiar, not only did Ubi Singapore help with the original game, but they're in charge of the cursed Skull & Bones, a title that focuses on naval combat and piracy originally announced in 2017 and stuck in development hell ever since.
This isn't the first time reports suggest Ubisoft is planning an Assassin's Creed remake. In September 2022, the company denied rumours that a new version of the first game in the franchise was being developed.
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remake - Is it necessary?
Audiences often support the idea of video game remakes as long as they're justified. Final Fantasy VII coming back in an ambitious trilogy developed by Square Enix that reinvents the conventions of the original game has kept fans excited as they wait for more news regarding Rebirth, the second instalment.
Similarly, Resident Evil 4 Remake proved that, while the 2005 classic still holds up, Capcom had many surprises up its sleeve. With a shift in tone and a more extensive, cohesive story, and tight gameplay, fans adored it.
On the other hand, The Last of Us Part I Remake was seen as little more than a cash grab by Naughty Dog, despite some substantial graphical improvements.
Part of why it was less favourably received is because fans felt a 10-year gap between the initial release and the remake made the latter unnecessary. Coincidentally, The Last of Us first came out for the PS4 in 2013, the same year Black Flag was released.
If Ubisoft confirms that a Black Flag remake is in the works, it might be because they believe their Singapore branch can bring some of the beloved naval combat featured to a whole new level, making it a bigger focus of the title.
Whatever the future holds for Assassin's Creed, we'll be sure to keep you updated, especially with the release of Assassin's Creed Mirage getting closer.
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