For the moment, I decide to have Edward board using the Jackdaw–a process that has to be timed with accuracy. Too much firing, and you destroy the ship. Too little, and you risk getting destroyed yourself. Once the enemy vessel is in the red zone and the ship is de-masted I approach it on its broad side. With the press of a button the crew immediately begins to launch ropes towards the ship and the boarding ensues. Amidst the fray of battle I am able to lead Edward to the mast of the other ship and drop down, assassinating two men in the process. This is where I could see the ground combat truly shine. The combat in ACIV proves to be more intricate than the previous titles, and personally I think that is a fantastic thing. Yes, I did almost perish in attempt to commandeer the ship and yes it is more difficult, but the combat proves to be a solid juxtaposition of fun and strategy. Rather than simply holding down block to counter, enemy movement needs to be watched and counter attacks have to be planned accordingly. The land combat within the series has grown less redundant since Brotherhood was released, but it seems like ACIV has finally corrected the recurring button-hold mistakes of the past.
After exploring what seems to be only a fraction of the adventures offered within the game, I finally reach our harpooning mission. When prompted, Edward and his crew cast off in a small row boat. Luckily this time around the weather is clear, but Ismail points out that this event is dynamic in that it can occur in any sort of climate. Within seconds, a large shadow grows underneath the boat, exposing the silhouette of massive Hammerhead Shark. Once the Hammerhead surfaces Edward is able to toss a harpoon through its torso; when the shark is struck, a fight initiates that is not unlike the Del Lago fight from Resident Evil 4. Startled and relatively pissed off, the shark incessantly drags the boat and forces us to continue to toss harpoons at its back. At one point it even breaks free, dives under water, and attempts to ram the boat. Once the process of harpooning is repeated Edward finally bests the beast.
It was finally time to put Edward’s varying talents to use on land in a nearby fishing village. The small village, which housed a few shops and contracts, was the perfect place to try out the stealth mechanics of the game. Despite the open atmosphere of the Caribbean, ACIV provides an extremely detailed environment that makes stealth a tactical and smooth endeavor. I start with the ever-so idiosyncratic hidden blade, which Edward effortlessly slides into his first victim before pulling his lifeless body into the nearby bushes. Immediately I jump to the next victim, dragging them to their veiled death before drawing the attention of other guards. An alerted guard runs over to investigate. I shoot him with the Berserk Poison dart and watch in the shadows as he loses his sanity, attacks his allies, and eventually kills himself. In this respect the stealth gameplay feels familiar. Edward can climb, blend, and work with the environment around him, using it to his advantage. If the stealth gameplay is this well-polished in an open environment, it will evidently shine in the larger cities of Havana, Nassau, and Kingston.
As our demo comes to a close a storm blows across the open ocean and suddenly the entire environment reacts to it–wind brushes the trees and the waves begin to swell. Ismail warns us that it is probably best to not go back out to sea during these storms, and considering the size of the waves, it is easy to see why. Ultimately, the dynamic world Ubisoft has created a stunning and animated setting that actually both reacts to and affects the player's overall actions.
I went into Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag not really knowing what to expect, as I truly believed the series was trapped in a loop of repetition. However, after playing the demo I cannot express the excitement I have for the title. My heart raced during ship combat and boarding, my mind churned at the strategic elements in ground combat and stealth. And the best part? These experiences were not even part of the main storyline. The game is rich in every sense of the word—from the vibrant environment and battles to the detailed commerce and leveling systems, AC IV is revitalizing the entire series with an experience not seen or felt since the first title.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag will be hitting the shelves in North America for Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii-U on October 29th. It will also be released for PC, Xbox One, and PS4.
