Do I Need to Play Other Games Before Black Flag?

To answer the question directly, no, you don’t necessarily need to play other Assassin’s Creed games before Black Flag. The game is designed to be standalone, allowing new players to jump into the series without prior knowledge of the Assassin’s Creed universe, while still offering a rich and engaging experience for longtime fans of the series.

Understanding the Assassin’s Creed Series

The Assassin’s Creed series is known for its complex storyline that spans centuries, but Black Flag is unique in that it can be enjoyed without playing the previous games. This is partly because Edward Kenway, the protagonist of Black Flag, is not a traditional Assassin but a pirate who becomes embroiled in the conflict between the Assassins and the Templars.

The Story of Black Flag

Black Flag tells the story of Edward Kenway, a pirate operating in the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy. The game’s narrative is relatively self-contained, with Edward’s story serving as a precursor to the events of Assassin’s Creed III. This makes Black Flag an excellent entry point for new players, as they can experience the game’s story and gameplay without needing to understand the intricacies of the broader Assassin’s Creed narrative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag and the Assassin’s Creed series that provide additional context and information for players considering Black Flag as their entry point or next game in the series:

1. Do I need to play Assassin’s Creed 3 before Black Flag?

• No, Black Flag takes place before AC3, telling the story of Connor’s grandfather, Edward Kenway. You can play Black Flag without prior knowledge of AC3.

1. Can I play Assassin’s Creed Black Flag alone?

• Yes, the game features a single-player campaign that is enjoyable and less tedious with an active online connection, but it is not required for the main story.

1. What are the system requirements to play Assassin’s Creed Black Flag?

• The game requires a processor like Intel Core2Quad Q8400 @ 2.6 GHz, 2 GB RAM, Nvidia Geforce GTX 260 or AMD Radeon HD 4870 for graphics, and 30 GB available space for storage.

1. Should I buy Assassin’s Creed Black Flag in 2022?

• Yes, Black Flag remains a fun and engaging game, offering a unique blend of piracy and assassination gameplay that is worth playing, even years after its release.

1. Do I need to play Black Flag before Freedom Cry?

• No, Freedom Cry was initially released as DLC for Black Flag but is also available as a standalone game. You can play Freedom Cry without playing Black Flag first.

1. Is AC Black Flag a big game?

• Yes, Black Flag is considered a big game, with a file size of over 30 GB, reflecting its expansive open world and detailed gameplay mechanics.

1. Do you have to play all the Assassin’s Creed games in order?

• Technically, no, but playing them in order can provide a more cohesive understanding of the series’ overarching narrative and character developments.

1. How many hours is Assassin’s Creed Black Flag?

• The game is approximately 23½ hours long for the main objectives and can extend to around 60½ hours for 100% completion, depending on the player’s level of engagement with side quests and exploration.

1. Is Assassin’s Creed Black Flag the first game in the series?

• No, Black Flag is the sixth major installment in the Assassin’s Creed series, with its historical timeframe preceding Assassin’s Creed III.

1. Is Black Flag connected to Rogue?

   • Yes, Assassin’s Creed Rogue is connected to Black Flag and serves as a link between Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed III, providing additional context to the series’ narrative.

2. Can you free roam after beating Black Flag?

   • Yes, after completing the main story, you can still explore the game’s world, sail the seas, and engage in various activities, offering extensive free-roam capabilities.

3. Does Assassin’s Creed 3 take place after Black Flag?

   • Yes, Assassin’s Creed III takes place after the events of Black Flag, following the story of Connor, who is Edward Kenway’s grandson.

4. What is the longest Assassin’s Creed game?

   • Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is currently the longest game in the series, offering a vast open world and a lengthy main story, surpassing Black Flag in terms of gameplay hours.

5. In what order should I play the Assassin’s Creed games?

   • While the series can be played in any order, following the chronological order of the games’ historical settings can provide the most cohesive narrative experience, starting from the earliest historical period to the latest.

6. Why is AC Black Flag so good?

   • Black Flag is considered one of the best games in the series due to its fun and engaging gameplay, focusing on piracy and exploration, which offers a unique experience within the Assassin’s Creed franchise, appealing to both new and veteran players alike.

Conclusion

Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag stands out as a highlight in the Assassin’s Creed series, offering a compelling narrative, engaging gameplay, and a vast open world to explore. Whether you’re a new player looking to dive into the series or a veteran fan seeking to replay a classic, Black Flag is an excellent choice. Its ability to stand alone, combined with its rich storyline and immersive gameplay, makes it a must-play for anyone interested in the Assassin’s Creed series or action-adventure games in general.