Assassin’s Creed 3 vs. 4: Which Pirate Adventure Reigns Supreme?
The age-old question: Which is better, Assassin’s Creed 3 or Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag? The answer, for most, leans heavily toward Black Flag. While AC3 attempted a grand, sweeping narrative of the American Revolution, Black Flag delivered a swashbuckling pirate adventure that captivated players with its open world, engaging gameplay, and charismatic protagonist. While both are part of the larger Assassin’s Creed universe, their strengths and weaknesses differ significantly, making Black Flag the generally preferred choice.
Why Black Flag Sails Ahead
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag distinguished itself through several key elements:
- Compelling Gameplay Loop: Black Flag’s gameplay loop is addictive. Sailing the open seas, upgrading your ship (The Jackdaw), engaging in naval combat, and exploring islands for treasure proved far more engaging than AC3’s largely land-based experience.
- Charismatic Protagonist: Edward Kenway is a significantly more relatable and compelling protagonist than Connor. His journey from pirate to assassin is filled with morally grey choices and personal growth, making him a far more nuanced and interesting character.
- Open World Freedom: Black Flag’s open world is a vibrant and exciting playground. The Caribbean setting, combined with the freedom to sail and explore at will, provides a constant sense of adventure. AC3, with its sprawling but less densely populated environments, often felt restrictive in comparison.
- Naval Combat Perfection: The naval combat in Black Flag is a standout feature. It’s strategic, challenging, and visually stunning. Successfully taking down enemy ships and upgrading the Jackdaw felt incredibly rewarding.
- Story Pacing: Black Flag’s story, while connected to the larger Assassin’s Creed lore, stands on its own more effectively than AC3. AC3 suffers from a slow start, with many players finding the early hours tedious.
Assassin’s Creed 3: A Flawed but Important Entry
Despite its shortcomings, Assassin’s Creed 3 is an important entry in the franchise.
- Historical Setting: AC3’s portrayal of the American Revolution is historically rich, even if the narrative execution falters. The game attempts to tackle complex themes of freedom, identity, and the cost of revolution.
- Connor’s Journey: While Connor’s stoic nature might not appeal to everyone, his journey is one of loss, betrayal, and a commitment to his people. His dedication to his cause is admirable, even if his personality is less immediately engaging.
- Present-Day Storyline: AC3 marked a significant point in the present-day storyline, bringing closure to Desmond Miles’ arc. This made it a crucial chapter for long-time fans of the series.
- Parkour: While not as polished as later entries, AC3 introduced new parkour mechanics, allowing players to navigate the forests and cities with greater fluidity.
However, AC3 is often criticized for:
- Slow Pacing: The lengthy introduction and the need to spend a significant amount of time as Haytham Kenway before playing as Connor frustrated many players.
- Less Engaging Gameplay: The core gameplay of AC3 felt less refined than previous entries. Combat could be clunky, and the overall experience felt less polished.
- Less Charismatic Protagonist: Connor’s stoic personality made it difficult for some players to connect with him, especially compared to the more charismatic protagonists of other Assassin’s Creed games.
Conclusion: A Clear Winner Emerges
While Assassin’s Creed 3 has its merits, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag is generally considered the superior game. Its engaging gameplay loop, compelling protagonist, open-world freedom, and perfected naval combat make it a standout title in the franchise. While AC3’s historical setting and important storyline contributions are noteworthy, its flaws in pacing, gameplay, and character development ultimately hold it back. For a more consistently enjoyable and engaging experience, Black Flag takes the crown. It is a game that seamlessly blends pirate adventure with the Assassin’s Creed formula, resulting in a truly unforgettable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should I play Assassin’s Creed 4 or 3 first?
In terms of the overarching narrative, playing Assassin’s Creed 3 first is recommended. Black Flag contains spoilers for the present-day storyline of AC3. However, if you prioritize gameplay enjoyment, starting with Black Flag might be a better option to ease you into the franchise. The Games Learning Society and other resources often suggest playing in order for the most impactful narrative experience.
2. Is Assassin’s Creed 3 the worst game in the series?
While not universally considered the worst, Assassin’s Creed 3 is often ranked lower than other entries due to its slow pacing, less engaging protagonist, and gameplay issues.
3. Is Assassin’s Creed 4 the best game in the series?
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag is frequently cited as one of the best Assassin’s Creed games, praised for its open-world pirate adventure, naval combat, and charismatic protagonist. Many consider it the peak of the franchise.
4. How are Assassin’s Creed 3 and 4 connected?
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag is a prequel to Assassin’s Creed 3. Edward Kenway is the grandfather of Connor (the protagonist of AC3). The modern-day storyline in Black Flag also continues from the events of AC3.
5. How long does it take to beat Assassin’s Creed 4?
The main story of Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag takes around 23.5 hours to complete. Completionists can expect to spend around 60.5 hours to achieve 100% completion.
6. Is Assassin’s Creed 3 historically accurate?
Assassin’s Creed 3 is considered to be relatively historically accurate, depicting events and figures of the American Revolution. However, like all historical fiction, it takes liberties with the narrative for dramatic effect.
7. What makes Edward Kenway a compelling protagonist?
Edward Kenway’s journey from selfish pirate to committed Assassin is what makes him compelling. His moral ambiguity and personal growth make him a more relatable and nuanced character than some other Assassin’s Creed protagonists.
8. Is naval combat the main focus of Assassin’s Creed 4?
Naval combat is a significant and well-developed part of Assassin’s Creed 4. Upgrading the Jackdaw and engaging in naval battles is a core gameplay loop. However, it’s not the only focus; there’s also exploration, assassination missions, and a compelling storyline.
9. Why is Assassin’s Creed 3 considered difficult to get into?
The slow pacing and lengthy introduction are the main reasons. Players often find the initial hours of the game tedious before the main story and character development truly take off.
10. What are the main criticisms of Connor Kenway as a protagonist?
Connor’s stoicism and lack of emotional expression are the main criticisms. Some players find him difficult to connect with compared to the more charismatic protagonists of other Assassin’s Creed games.
11. Which Assassin’s Creed game has the best parkour?
While opinions vary, Assassin’s Creed Unity is often cited as having the best parkour due to its fluid animations and innovative “parkour up/down” system.
12. Is it necessary to play all Assassin’s Creed games in order?
While not strictly necessary, playing the games in order can enhance the experience by providing a better understanding of the overarching storyline and character development.
13. What is the Assassin’s Creed “Ezio Collection”?
The Assassin’s Creed Ezio Collection includes Assassin’s Creed II, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, and Assassin’s Creed Revelations. These games feature Ezio Auditore da Firenze as the protagonist and are often considered the best in the franchise.
14. Which Assassin’s Creed game has the best graphics?
Assassin’s Creed Unity is often praised for its graphics, which were considered cutting-edge at the time of its release. However, more recent games like Valhalla and Odyssey offer visually stunning experiences as well.
15. Is Assassin’s Creed still making new games?
Yes, the Assassin’s Creed franchise is ongoing. New games and DLC are regularly released, continuing the story and exploring new historical settings. Ubisoft continues to invest heavily in the franchise.
For more information on game design and learning, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.