Can I play Assassin‘s Creed Black Flag without playing the others?
As a hardcore Assassin‘s Creed gamer since the very first title back in 2007, I get asked one question very often by newcomers to the franchise – can I play Black Flag without playing the others?
My resounding answer is yes, absolutely! Out of all the AC games, Black Flag stands tall as the most newcomer friendly title that you can jump right into. You do not need any past knowledge of the franchise or other game installments to fully enjoy this stellar open-world pirate adventure.
Black Flag Shines With A New Setting And Standalone Story
So what exactly makes Black Flag so beginner friendly compared to other AC titles? A few key factors:
- The 18th century Caribbean setting centered around piracy and naval exploration sets it completely apart from past franchise incarnations and immediately pulls you in.
- Edward Kenway is a brand new protagonist not tied to any existing backstories or characters from previous games.
- The story stands entirely on its own rather than referencing heavy lore or events from past titles.
- Core Assassin vs Templar elements are introduced organically without needing any franchise history.
Let‘s expand a bit more on why Black Flag‘s shining Golden Age of Piracy backdrop makes it so accessible…
The Pirate Fantasy Comes To Life
Sailing your own ship around lush Caribbean islands while engaging in swashbuckling naval battles just speaks to the pirate fantasy in a way no other AC game has. This all new swashbuckling setting immediately pulls you into the world and intrigues new players from the initial minutes.
You feel more like a captain of a pirate crew rather than just another Assassin, making this fresh experience completely welcoming to newcomers.
Innovative Naval Gameplay Sets It Apart
On top of the pirate backdrop, Black Flag introduced an advanced naval traversal and combat system never seen before in the franchise. Taking the helm of the Jackdaw to take down enemy ships with cannons and boarding parties added an entirely new dimension to gameplay.
This emphasis on all new naval systems and ship upgrade trees means Black Flag stands perfectly fine from a gameplay perspective without needing background on past AC combat. The naval innovations are entirely welcoming and accessible to newcomers looking for free-roaming pirate action.
Edward Kenway Immediately Grabs Your Attention
Now what iconic adventure would be complete without a charismatic and memorable protagonist?
Enter Edward Kenway. This brash Welsh privateer turned pirate is easily one of the most charming heroes of the entire saga. Seeing Kenway transform from a rogue seeking gold and fame into a selfless hero who embraces the Creed is an amazing journey.
Edward‘s devil-may-care attitude and charismatic swagger make him a fantastic lens to experience this swashbuckling world as a newcomer. You learn about the Assassin lore and universe right alongside him without needing any pre-existing exposure.
Kenway Wins Over Newcomers And Veterans
In many polls and reviews, Edward Kenway consistently ranks among fans‘ favorite AC protagonists even 10 years later after release. His personality shines bright whether you‘ve experienced past games starring fan favorites like Ezio or Altair or jumped into Black Flag blind as your first AC title.
For example, in this Gamerant character popularity poll, Kenway ties for 2nd place alongside Ezio – quite impressive for a newcomer protagonist!
Quotes like this from GameRevolution encapsulate why Kenway is so beloved as the pirate hero of Black Flag across first-timers and franchise veterans:
"Edward Kenway is easily one of the best protagonists of the entire series…the fire in Edward makes him constantly entertaining"
Black Flag Gameplay Innovations Over Past Titles
Now as a side-by-side comparison, let‘s analyze key gameplay and world elements that showcase why Black Flag stands on its own so well:
| Game Features | Black Flag | Past AC Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Open World Setting | Unique Caribbean islands and open ocean | Past history cities like Rome |
| Combat | New ship battles | Mainly land-based melee or stealth fights |
| Protagonist | New standalone character Edward Kenway | Continuation of existing backstories like Ezio |
As exemplified above, Black Flag introduces significant new elements from past AC games in setting, gameplay mechanics and characters. This means newcomers aren‘t missing any required understanding of existing lore or systems.
Even Later Games Still Call Back to Black Flag‘s Innovation
That‘s not to say Black Flag exists in a completely isolated bubble though! Even newer franchise titles years later incorporated naval exploration and ship combat as a nod back to how revolutionary and well-received those systems were first pioneered in Kenway‘s Caribbean adventure.
But the key takeaway is that NO past franchise knowledge is required at all to dive right into commanding your own pirate vessel thanks to how brilliantly Black Flag contextualizes and teaches all new marine systems.
Critics Widely Agree: Black Flag Stands Alone as an Ideal Franchise Entry Point
Beyond just my own fan perspective, Industry critics widely recommend Black Flag as the ideal Assassin‘s Creed starting point requiring no past experience:
"Black Flag isn’t just the best Assassin’s Creed of this generation so far, it’s also a stellar entry point for anyone curious to sample this franchise." – GamesBeat
Reviewers overwhelmingly praise elements like the vibrant world, stellar naval combat and exceptional lead hero Edward while confirming absolutely no Assassin‘s Creed knowledge is expected.
In fact, ACIV: Black Flag remains the 2nd highest rated AC game in Metacritic history, underscoring critics assessments on why it shines bright whether you‘re a longtime fan or complete newbie.
Ubisoft Knew Black Flag Would Attract Franchise Outsiders
In several interviews, Ubisoft developers acknowledged they specifically designed ACIV to appeal to franchise newcomers who may be intrigued by the unique tropical setting and pirate theme but lack existing AC experience.
Missions introduce assassin lore concepts step-by-step rather than assume past knowledge. The lack of modern day sequences also lowers any barriers.
For any gamers out there attracted to the idea of leading their own pirate crew but intimidated by the seeming complexity of AC lore, reviewers strongly agree that Black Flag is carefully crafted for you!
In Closing: Don‘t Think Twice, Set Sail as Captain Kenway Today!
So in summary – I cannot recommend ACIV: Black Flag enough as the quintessential Assassin‘s Creed starting point requiring no past franchise exposure whatsoever. With its gorgeously vibrant world centered around piracy and naval combat, hugely charismatic lead hero in Edward Kenway and stellar writing/gameplay throughout, Black Flag stands tall as one of the greatest installments fans and newcomers alike.
Black Flag received strong acclaim for a reason – so allow me to close this sailing manifesto by saying to any franchise outsiders: don‘t think twice about testing the Franchise waters with Edward‘s Caribbean adventure! You have free reign to let your inner pirate run wild. Now batten down the hatches and set sail for an incredible time from beginning to end!
Over 22 million gamers and counting have lived the swashbuckling dream. Why not join the crew today?
