The Pirate’s Life Beyond Black Flag: Exploring Assassin’s Creed Spinoffs and Spiritual Successors
The immediate spin-off to Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is Assassin’s Creed Freedom Cry. While not a full numbered sequel, Freedom Cry expands on the world and gameplay of Black Flag, allowing players to control Adéwalé, Edward Kenway’s former quartermaster, in a new story set thirteen years after the events of the main game. Beyond Freedom Cry, several games and concepts can be considered spiritual successors or related experiences expanding on the naval combat and pirate themes introduced in Black Flag, including Assassin’s Creed Rogue and the more recent, standalone title, Skull and Bones.
Expanding the Assassin’s Creed Pirate Universe
Black Flag holds a special place in the hearts of many Assassin’s Creed fans, largely due to its unique blend of open-world exploration, thrilling naval combat, and swashbuckling pirate fantasy. It’s no surprise that Ubisoft has explored various avenues to recapture that magic, leading to several interesting offshoots and related titles. Let’s dive into them:
Assassin’s Creed Freedom Cry: Adéwalé’s Stand
Freedom Cry is the most direct spin-off, initially released as downloadable content (DLC) for Black Flag before being released as a standalone game. It focuses on Adéwalé, Edward Kenway’s loyal first mate. The story sees Adéwalé shipwrecked in Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti), where he becomes involved in the fight against slavery.
- Narrative Focus: Freedom Cry delves into the horrors of slavery and Adéwalé’s personal journey to fight for freedom.
- Gameplay Similarities: It retains the core naval combat and exploration mechanics of Black Flag, with some new weapons and abilities for Adéwalé.
- Standalone Experience: Freedom Cry offers a complete narrative experience that can be enjoyed independently of Black Flag.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue: A Templar’s Perspective
Assassin’s Creed Rogue isn’t a direct sequel or spin-off in the same vein as Freedom Cry, but it’s heavily connected to Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed III. It bridges the narrative gap between those two games and offers a unique perspective – that of a Templar.
- Shay Patrick Cormac: Players control Shay, a former Assassin who defects to the Templar Order.
- Naval Gameplay Returns: Rogue features similar naval combat and exploration mechanics to Black Flag, but set in the North Atlantic and river valleys of North America.
- Ties to the Kenway Saga: Rogue features characters from both Assassin’s Creed III and Black Flag, further connecting the Kenway family saga.
Skull and Bones: The Naval Combat Evolved
Skull and Bones is a standalone title inspired by the naval combat of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Developed by Ubisoft Singapore, it focuses entirely on naval warfare and pirate life in the Indian Ocean.
- Naval Combat Focus: Skull and Bones emphasizes ship customization, crew management, and strategic naval battles.
- Shared Inspiration: It draws heavily from the mechanics and feel of Black Flag’s naval gameplay but expands upon it significantly.
- MMO Elements: Skull and Bones incorporates online multiplayer elements, allowing players to team up or compete against each other in a shared world.
Assassin’s Creed: Forgotten Temple
As reported by DualShockers, Assassin’s Creed: Forgotten Temple, is said to be a sequel to Black Flag and it will be absolutely massive, consisting of 150 chapters over three seasons.
Beyond Games: The Enduring Legacy of Black Flag
Black Flag’s influence extends beyond direct sequels and spin-offs. Its success demonstrated the appeal of pirate-themed action-adventure games, paving the way for other titles that explore similar themes. The game’s focus on open-world exploration, character-driven storytelling, and engaging gameplay has made it a benchmark for the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
The game’s depiction of historical figures and events, even with its fictionalized Assassin-Templar conflict, sparked interest in the Golden Age of Piracy. Its success also highlights the potential of video games as tools for learning and engagement. The GamesLearningSociety.org (Games Learning Society) explores how games can be used to create meaningful educational experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Freedom Cry a full game or just DLC?
Freedom Cry was initially released as DLC for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag but was later released as a standalone game. It offers a complete narrative experience that can be enjoyed independently of Black Flag.
2. Do I need to play Black Flag before Freedom Cry?
While it’s helpful to have played Black Flag to understand Adéwalé’s backstory, Freedom Cry is a self-contained story. You don’t need to play Black Flag to enjoy it, but it enhances the experience.
3. Is Assassin’s Creed Rogue a sequel to Black Flag?
Assassin’s Creed Rogue is not a direct sequel but is set between the events of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed III. It explores a different perspective on the Assassin-Templar conflict.
4. Is Skull and Bones an Assassin’s Creed game?
No, Skull and Bones is a standalone game, not part of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. However, it was inspired by the naval combat mechanics of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
5. Is Black Flag getting a remake?
There have been reports of a possible Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag remake, but Ubisoft has not officially confirmed it.
6. Who is the main character in Freedom Cry?
The main character in Freedom Cry is Adéwalé, Edward Kenway’s former quartermaster.
7. Does Edward Kenway appear in Freedom Cry?
Edward Kenway does not appear in Freedom Cry, as the story takes place thirteen years after the events of Black Flag.
8. Is the Jackdaw in Freedom Cry?
The wreck of the Jackdaw can be found in Freedom Cry, hinting at its fate after Black Flag.
9. Is Black Flag historically accurate?
Black Flag blends historical events and figures with the fictional Assassin-Templar conflict. While not entirely accurate, it offers a glimpse into the Golden Age of Piracy.
10. What time period is Black Flag set in?
Black Flag is set in the early 18th century, during the Golden Age of Piracy.
11. Who is Edward Kenway’s son?
Edward Kenway has two children: Jennifer Scott and Haytham Kenway. Haytham plays a major role in Assassin’s Creed III.
12. Is there a connection between Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed Unity?
While there isn’t a direct narrative connection, both games are part of the Assassin’s Creed franchise and share overarching themes and lore.
13. What makes Black Flag so popular?
Black Flag’s popularity stems from its engaging naval combat, open-world exploration, pirate setting, and compelling story.
14. How old is Edward Kenway in Black Flag?
Edward Kenway is roughly 22 years old at the beginning of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
15. Where can I learn more about games and learning?
You can learn more about the intersection of games and education at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.