Or is there just going to be so much story stuff going on that I will just be lost the entire time? I have friends that tell me I should play 2 and up since they are much better than the first but I never got around to it. I really like pirate stuff though so this does look interesting. Pretty much all I want to know is if the gameplay is better than the first game and how much of the backstory I really need to know.

Yes. The overarching modern-day narrative stuff seems a lot more in the background than previous games, and if you've only played the first AC you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much more varied and interesting the series has become since then.

I think you should try it. There are so few pirate games of quality out there and this one seems like it's at least got the feeling swashbuckling down. It honestly feels less like assassins creed than I expected, which is a good thing since AC3 really pushed me away from playing anymore of them. After hearing the GB crew talk this one up during their ql I figured it was worth the money to try it. It still has some of the templar/assassin stuff but it seems to be taking a back seat so far (I'm 10% in according to the save) and Edward is way more like Ezio in that he is funny and likable.

One other thing to note. If you can I highly recommend the PC/current gen version of this. The console version I played was fine and nothing was missing game-play wise, but the visuals really took a hit on last gen hardware.

@arbitrarywater: @gaminghooligan: Thanks for the answers, they helped quite a bit. I would be playing on PS4 so after today's patch for the game it should look quite nice.

Absolutey. The first Assassin's Creed is so far removed from what the series has become after 2 that it's mostly negligible at this point. The modern-day narrative (future narrative?) also takes such a backseat in this installment that you shouldn't feel the need to catch up. And besides, the modern-day narrative stuff from the previous games is not, in my opinion, worth caring about anyway.

AC is so much better than it was when it first came out so don't let that deter you. AC 1 was practically just a concept of a game.

It sure does. Just watched it on the PS4 stream and it looks good on PS4 there (and I guess it has improved since).

Question kind of related to this, so I don't want to start a new thread. I got AC4 for free with my 770, but I haven't played 3 yet. I beat 1 through Revelations and enjoyed all of them to varying degrees. I do intend to play 3 at some point (probably when it goes on sale on PC), but would I be alright playing 4 without playing 3?

@gaminghooligan said:

I read this and I was super confused why you were recommending the PS3/360 version over PS4/One, until I realized those are now technically "current gen". I suspect that is going to happen a lot over the next few months.

I think you'll enjoy the boat stuff if you like pirates. It's really well done.

Figured I better start getting use to writing it that way.

On a gameplay level, AC1 and Black Flag are so far removed from each other. It's been so many years and games later that it shouldn't be a problem for you. As far as backstory goes, it doesn't seem like you need to know that much from what I've heard.

And if you want to be a pirate, this seems like the game to play.

I would say I hated the first AC but loved 2 and brotherhood (liked revelations, eh on 3), so the AC1 comparison is somewhat not important. Have not play 4 yet but from the word around, I would say just jump into 4.

The modern-day narrative in AC4 spoils the ending of AC3 if you care about that stuff.

I'm not a big assassins creed guy nor a pirate guy but I love this game.

You really don't want to play this game. If all you care about is the pirate part of the game, then I suggest you play Sid Meier's Pirates! instead. It is way more of a pirate game than this pile of hot shit. It has actual action and the excitement of being a pirate. This game just has a pirate overlay on top of the dumbass story.

I can't stand AC 1 and 2, but I love this game.

Go for it, I think you'll like it and it's one of the better entry points in the series.

Yes, probably. The truth is AC has changed a lot since the first one.

I played AC1 and have skipped the others until AC4. So far I don't feel like I have missed anything and AC4 is a GREAT game that you should not pass up.

I skipped AC 1, started on 2 and made it maybe 10% before I lost interest. It's possible that it's just not your kind of game, which is fine. I can definitely see why it's worth checking out, though.

AC2 and Brotherhood are the best of the series, Revelations was ok and AC3 was garbage.

Yes. AC2 improved over the first Assassin's Creed in every way and was the game that thing was supposed to be. Every other iteration is building off of AC2, and AC4 is the most expansive yet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Meier's_Pirates!

I'm not even joking. AC is hot garbage IMO.

You could buy this game or buy 2, brotherhood, revelation and III probably for the same price.

@impendingfoil: Also from what I've played of this game it seems that this is like the start of another story arc since the main character from the 1st game's arc ended at 3 and I've been enjoying it so far. If you are not familiar with the controls you might have trouble with certain segments even though they are not hard controls, there are people who seem to have trouble with them for some reason.

There are times that a bit of finesse is needed in order to not accidentally climb up objects for example and I usually found that people who are pretty impatient or tend to have a bad habit of holding down the R2/RT while moving in the environment tend to accidentally climb up objects more. Also enemies are more aggressive from the get go but if you're used to action games it won't be hard.

I haven't played the original game, but the 2004 remake (also called Sid Meier's Pirates!) was a ton of fun at the time. Although I have a weird feeling that if I remember how some of its systems worked, it probably didn't age too well.

Absolutely, Definitely, Yes.

Yes. This is basically AC 2 with awesome pirate stuff thrown in. Great, great game.

@missacre: @jsnyder82: @reisz: @gaspower: @i_stay_puft: @palmlykta: @ghostiet: @sometimesavowel: @aviar: @hermes: @meatball: @steadyingmeat: @minion101: @ilikepopcans: @gruebacca: @cale: @artisanbreads: @natetodamax: @gaminghooligan: @arbitrarywater:

I ended up picking this game up and have had a great time so far, especially in multiplayer. Thanks to everyone for their advice, both good and bad. Also, I know that Sid Meier's Pirates is a great game.

@impendingfoil: I never had been super into the MP but Assassin's Creed MP is the only one of it's kind out there (in terms of console games) that has a cat and mouse feel with lots of mind games and is not completely dependent on skills and reflexes.

Yes, the MP seems kinda alright, I'll give it that.

I've never liked Assassins Creed and I love AC4. Granted, I've only played the first two and thought they were garbage. Haven't tried anything after AC2 until picking up Black Flag.

Jump right on in! The differences from the very first game are pretty huge, its a much better and more varied game now.

The future stupid shit is almost completely nonexistent and the Pirating story is self contained so you'll be okay on that end.

Also, the pirating stuff is greaaaat!

I just got this game today on PS4, without having ever played any of the Assassin's Creed games before. It's one of the best games I've played in recent memory.

Since I haven't played AC before, I can't really compare Black Flag to previous games in the series, but I will say this: the pillaging and other pirate stuff is a blast. It's hard for me to explain it better than that, but trust me, you'll freaking love this game!

The Templars want to rule the world. The Assassins don't like the Templars. All the present day stuff is BS.

That's the story summed up for you. Go, enjoy.

I believe you should give it a try! You might learn to like it in the long run..