Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is the entry where the series set cities aside for a while and headed fully out to sea. You play as Edward Kenway, a Welshman who sailed to the Caribbean to get rich as a pirate and ends up caught in the conflict between Assassins and Templars almost by accident, since what really interests him is money and freedom. That's exactly what makes him one of the series' most likeable characters, because unlike his predecessors he doesn't have a mission from the start, he has to find one. The story is set during the golden age of piracy, and you'll meet a number of real historical figures along the way.

The major change is a seamlessly connected world. From the deck of the ship Jackdaw you can sail to any island without loading screens, disembark, explore a jungle, a town, or an underwater wreck, and sail off again. Naval combat from the previous entry has become the main activity: you maneuver against the wind, fire from broadside cannons, drop fire barrels, and finally grapple an opponent and lead a boarding action. A captured ship can be repaired, sold, or added to your fleet. Upgrading the Jackdaw forms the game's core loop, since you simply stand no chance against stronger opponents without better armor. On land, classic stealth, target-tracking, and a counter-based combat system remain in place.

The Caribbean looked stunning on PS3. Water with dynamic waves, storms, day-night transitions, and islands full of greenery rank among the visually most impressive scenes of that generation. An unforgettable element is the sea shanties the crew sings while sailing, which the player collects like collectibles. Reviews were excellent, and many still consider it the best entry in the series today. Today it works above all as a great pirate game, offering freedom, exploration, and the feeling of the real sea. There's so much content that you can easily set aside the main story for dozens of hours just for treasure hunting, diving to wrecks, and raiding convoys. If you'd previously turned away from the series because of its repetitive city missions, this is exactly where that complaint carries the least weight.