Assassin? or pirate? Hmm ...

And each year greets the Assassin! This is now the sixth part of the series Assassin, which I was allowed to put me on the shelf. There are many people who claim that Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed projects bring out a year, harms the series. Now it is again a year since the last Assassin title (including me) has very disappointed. And the new part also brings even pirates !! Can this go on? Or is this a bucket load more paddling Ubisoft Assassin from the grave?

STORY:
AC4 plays a few years ago AC3, but remains in the bloodline. So you will be placed in the role of Grandpa Conners, Edward Kenway. But this is not an assassin, but a pirate! But one thing leads to another and the story takes its course. This all sounds once quite dry. But the story is exciting and emotional. In addition, it is very well told! The characters seem very authentic and facial expressions and conversations seem more realistic than in the previous parts.
Since the story was illustrated quite politically in part 3, AC4 goes back more to the classic Templar / Assassin fight a ... So, between the pirate story!

But with AC It's not always about the past but also about the present. Namely Man plays the name and Faceless guy who works at Abstergo Entertainment and is mandated to explore the memories of Edward Kenway.
However, the present is not so in the foreground and it need not necessarily be played. After a few chapters you will be automatically taken out of the Animus, but this can leave at any time. Just so you can enter at any time him.

WHAT IS? AC IV!
Assassins Creed 4 Black Flag is a large open world adventure, which dealt a pirate in the golden age. Which implies that a large part of the game takes place on the high seas!
Here are some striking facts and innovations:

- On land, it is as usual in front. It must be climbed to reach synchronous points that reveal a important things in the surrounding environment.

- Eagle Vision has been improved. In this mode, enemies glow red, blue and allies goals yellow! What is new, which is activated at some time of the eagle eye, the people one
While in color remain and you can see this even through walls!

- As usual, helps a Mini Map / Compass to find your way to one.

- Edward still controls be more agile than its predecessor and descendant!

- Emissions need to be started separately again, saying, Ye runs until around freely until you go to the mission and it starts. The missions have all two optional targets. These must fulfill, in order to arrive at a 100% synchronization.

- Per quick journey is instantly to places you've discovered already. Even with the ship!

- Outside of missions, there are a lot to do. At least it seems so! Side missions there is not too many. Assassins orders, send a Partial over half the world map, save pirates, so that they be included in the own crew or loot a plantations in order to make a profit.

- Later in the game then you have more or less a base that will be upgraded. Costs a lot of money and does not bring much, at least nothing that has struck me!
- Edward takes the hood by hand in the game and sets them on again as soon as it is really necessary!

- There are many challenges Abstergo, which can be viewed in the pause menu!

- There are numerous small islands, which all want to be visited. To that extent one wants to collect all the treasures and fragments!

- Long boat trips do not have to be boring! Have your crew a sing of many shanties! These are available to collect anywhere.

- There is a boat now and the cruise!

- The weather changes according to your mood. So it often happens that one is surprised at sea by a storm! Giant waves and hurricanes must be torn bypassed

How does it look with secrets and riddles from? Perhaps a secret armor is again hidden somewhere?
Yes, as you can see the descriptions of the uniforms, there are two special suits.

1. The first defense there in the base, or pirate hideout! However, the door is locked. And then also equal through five locks! To open this door, you have to only find the five keys. These searches and masters to the Templars missions! These have indirectly related to the main story, but are not sure Decisive!
2. The second set of new pants need a bit more. Therefore you have to solve all the puzzles and collect the Maya found on Mayan stones. The puzzles themselves are (unfortunately) not a challenge.

CHUCK NORRIS ANCESTOR ??
Just as every year Assassins Creed comes out, so every year is lamented by the people: The fighting is too easy!
I myself admit it zuich've played through each AC for PS3 at least twice and yes, the fights are easy. But are they really too easy?
This is relative. Because you now plays even more assassins who are simply good at fighting! I was the ease of battles never bothered. On The Contrary. I think it's good the way it is. Although I must say that Edward really amounts to a super fighter. He dominated from the outset good combos. The block has never been so easy on the hand. He also needs to learn anything! He does it all.
Why the fight in this part as simple as? Can have many reasons. Maybe Edward is really a super fighter, or the British and Spanish soldiers at that time were simply not trained so well!
Many also believe that there should be a difficulty. Or even a hardcore mode! It's unrealistic to expect a horde of enemies surrounded one, but only one currently attacking !!
Well, to each his own. I personal have the difficulty with AC no problem and actually find it quite well, that here simply to play times without experiencing great frustration moments.
And for the only one attacked you ... I want to experience times when 10 people at a time bashing on you! It's just a game. Either like it or you do not play!

Armed, as far as the gold tooth!
Note that I am pointing to the headline on a tooth, not many teeth. Why?
Heavy weapons, there is no longer! Edward has always been a sword set, consisting of two swords with him. The hidden blades must not be missed! Then there's still the good old smoke bombs and guns! Edward can upgrade his clothes and thus subsequently carry up to four guns at once and even fire them in sequence!
Then later gets a blowpipe, which allows you to shoot arrows silently sleeping and Berserker and you have the darts, we all know and from AC3!
And as for the guns and swords sets are angehtes underwhelming many. And there are hardly superior weapons there. If you just consider all the weapons from AC2 thinks but well, you know, less is more!
Now there is no more Waffenrad! All weapons are quickly selected via the directional pad.
Berserk arrows? Twice left Hidden Blade? .einmal Upwards
After a short play time you have it easy on it and it comes loose from the hand. Is, I think, a good innovation!

Ahio SAILOR PIRATE ASSASSINE ?!
On the water what's going on! Many main missions will be held here. But even so, you can kill a lot of time on the sea. Because one is not traveling alone! Everywhere sail ships of Spanish and English, are just waiting to be boarded and looted!
How to do this by equipping?
Per R2 button we look once through Fernrohrah yes, a level 26 frigate with neat rum on board! So go for it!
If a vessel is not currently located in a restricted zone, it behaves neutral and will only respond to a direct attack. Na dann mal fire! Hmmwie shoots you? Here's an example of how an attack might look like:
Only once in the target mode thanks to the L1 button!
If the camera is directed forward, one catapulted by the R1 button chain projectiles that are to slow down the enemy ship.
If the ship is further away, there are (if already purchased) and mortars, which can wreak enormous damage on a greater distance. Per L2 we get into the corresponding target mode!
If the first hit is successful, a health bar is above the enemy ship appears and the ship goes into attack mode! We keep it and ram the boat easy with our Rammsporn. Is this incremented against much cash, so a collision can end up fatal for the enemy. As we turn the ship are now, we drive past, take a little wind out of the sails, point the camera to the side, aim and fire with R1 again now the lateral guns from. Full broadside, as the saying goes! But the enemy can bombard is not so simple. He fires back! So quickly give up the pound key ordered to take cover. This reduces the damage to the ship, but not protecting it!
So, now turn quickly back to the opponent. The good thing is that the Jackdaw can be controlled extremely pleasant! With the round button, we give the order to slow down, or catch the sails. Now the ship is to focus better and we can turn. Now enter the command x button again to set sail to get back to build such speed. Shortly dodge the opponent's shots and back in with the battering ram. Camera set aside and now without aiming press the R1 button. This fired at close range from the heavy balls.
If you have done it then, that the health bar of the opponent's ship at the end is, and the ship is burning, you have two options.
1. With the next shots the ship sink, and thus capture only half of the goods, or
2. sealing drive up and board the ship!

We decide for boarding! In this process, Edwards Department draws on the enemy ship to the Jackdaw with grappling hooks.
The interesting thing is that now merge the two ships to a map, enabling free walk around!
Now, the requirements appear on the HUD that say what must be done in order to board the boat successfully. Here now is eg:

Kill 15 crewmembers
Destroy the enemy flag

So fast means of rope swing over to the other deck and go to battle. The own crew mixed with good. Which means that you have to expect a loss of the team! Thus, 15 people settled, now quickly climbing up the mast and the flag torn down! If all conditions are met, there are three options!

1st man repairs the Jackdawweil, wooden one has had enough (from enemy ship)!
2. It reduces its visibility! (More on)
3. It is the defeated ship in Kenway's fleet (This also equal more)

No matter how you decide, the pinch is a safe. Rum and sugar are some value and can be sold easily. With wood, metal and fabric can upgrade the Jackdaw. In this respect, one has the corresponding construction plans and the wherewithal.
All weapons on board, as well as the capacity of the ammunition and the crew can be upgraded!
Throughout the sea distributed floats also cargo, which can be collected when passing. While it is not much, but that adds up over time!

KÄPT'N MOST WANTED!
Just mentioned, the level of awareness! This may not be missing at a Assassins Creed.
However, it is no longer so, as usual. Because ashore Captain Eddy can do what he wants. Here there is no awareness. Therefore, no wanted posters or the same. Awareness is only active on the sea. The more ships you attack and sunk, the more well-known you become. Once you reach the first of three degrees, one makes the pirate hunter attracts attention! These are outside of the story missions are the only ships that attack on a neutral water. The higher the level of awareness, the greater and more dangerous are the hunters and then also come with several ships. If the Jackdaw is well equipped, make the pirate hunters but no danger. These can also be boarded like everyone else sunk or.
Awareness reduced to as described above, or one seeks officials that add a small fee a clean slate!

BEGONE WITH YOU
There is still much to discover on the high seas. For example, there are several forts that an attack when you approach them. You destroy these forts, you can take these also. Simply go ashore and kill the main men. Already it's yours! Once a fort was taken, appear on the world map important things and places. At least in the vicinity of the fort. UNDES the local Maritime missions will be unlocked. This one knows yet from AC3. However, they are now only half as demanding. Nevertheless, for a nice pastime and a good way to get money!

THA CREW
A captain is nothing without a crew! The Jackdaw has only limited space. So you can later take up to 40 man. However, this also die in battle, when fired or during storms (giant waves)! Where now you get new people come from? They fished out of the water! No Joke! Often drifting shipwrecked (as cargo) around which you can collect. This then automatically belong to the crew. When successful boarding a few sailors of your team will be added. In a pinch, you can pay on land pirates, so they join one. Or you can go to drunk pirates who are a even free of side!

KENNWAY'S FLEET
Mentioned earlier, there are at AC4 a feature that replaces the Assassin recruits from previous parts. For now they send no more people on missions, but ships. The whole feels more like a mini-game. Also I think so thought. In any case, there is thus Fat Booty and hefty reward. However, the thing has a catch
Kenway's fleet is an online feature! Although it is part of the single player mode, you can use it online only. Quite a shame, in my opinion

FISHING ON MEN'S STYLE
In the following point, there was even before the release of the game heated discussions by animal rights activists.
How to harpoon only in one game helpless whales? Well, that was then. It may sound cold, but the whaling was considered very important. Apart from that it's just a game. In addition, in each AC die bulky man what apparently nobody cares ?!
Well, also I am an animal lover, do not let me miss harpooning anyway.
It was once said, this feature is an optional part of the game. Who should have problems, it does not have to do. However, you need the skin and bones of animals to his armor upgrade eg for more energy or the previously mentioned pistol holder.
Also to complete the Abstergo challenges, it is necessary to harpoon all six different animals! Also Trophy Hunter probably come around not drum, at least once to pull a whale aboard!

So, how to do that now by Outfit? After a fort was taken, appear on the world map in the nearby surrounding important places and things. So the animals that can be harpooned. On the open sea we recognized it through the telescope. The about flying birds make a bigger animal attentive. Coming now to the ship in such a, circular area, keeping the circle button and starts the harpooner sequence. Edward rises to a few people in a so-called whale boat.
Before a Floats now the whale or shark. Holding down L1, the target area and the litter decreased with the Harpoon gets more momentum. With R1 thrown. Hitting the target is now connected by a rope to the boat and tried to escape. That means you will be dragged along. The whale shark, or has a life force display. Depending on how good your harpoons and how strong the animal is, it takes sometimes more and sometimes less harpoons to hunt around the target. Often the animal pulls away even from the rope and disappears shortly. Then it's especially vigilant seinden a white shark reaching like to the boat from below. If the boat is destroyed, or go to one of the harpoons, the sequence is terminated.

UNDER THE SEA
Later in the game there is a Allows you to dive for treasure in shipwrecks. These sequences look fabulous and demand some skill. Because jellyfish and sharks are not good to say about uninvited guests! To the jellyfish to swim it, sharks have to hide. These react similarly to the guards in the country. Do they recognize you, they attack. You have to move through plants or wreckage so unseen. The crew will drop at some places air drums, so you do not drown. At first it may be a little difficult, but after several dives you have it very good mood.

MY DARLING!
Still a great thing:
Spread all over the world map, there are to find dead bodies! yes, I said corpses. That have a treasure map with you skeletons. These are decorated in good style Red Dead Redemption. The coordinates for each location are top and a lined note exactly where the treasure is buried. Found treasure harboring a lot of gold, or even an important blueprint for eg upgrade the Jackdaw.
Unfortunately, even here it must be said that there are also social treasure maps that can be found only online. So it is not possible offline to find all the buried treasures !!

MULTIPLAYER MASSACRE
Since AC Brotherhood there are these (unnecessary) Multiplayer mode. Here, not much has changed, except maybe the wolf pack mode. And the menu looks clearer. I have to admit I'm not online players. And have also played only to Rank 8. Therefore be said: If you like the AC MP, will also like this! Who does not know, just have to have a look in!

PS3 EXCLUSIVE
As one would expect, there is also in this part exclusive material for Sony gamers!
This time there is a little adventure with Aveline, which is known from the PSP offshoot Assassins Creed Liberations. After having drawn the DLC from the PSN, you go. As for the control and the HUD to the main game and DLC receive nothing. Aveline has only other weapons and better fighting combos!
It is advertised that it is advanced by 60 minutes single player gameplay. I had made it in about half an hour. So just so much hot air, as in the DLC at AC3.
Moreover, the story is pretty lame and it calls for zero! The secret paths to a well placed in the eye and the opponents have (again) no challenge. Only the NPC, which can carry with him is pretty annoying.
In the end is to say, who do not play the DLC, nothing has missed! There is not even trophies for it!

ONLINE ?? OFFLINE ?? ONLINE !!!
Finally was again said:
You need to be online to do everything in single player mode. Some treasure maps and the white whale will only appear if you are connected to the servers! Also Kenway's fleet is only playable online. Those who do not go on the Internet with his Playstation, missed a lot of things. Ua weapons and uniforms. Even uniforms you because older AC data gets (Altair, Ezio and Connor uniforms) are only selectable as long as you're online!
The required Uplay Passport is free on PSN Available !!
A 100% advance in the story mode is still feasible Offline!

GRAPHICS / SOUND:
The graphics are of PS3 conditions very well. Again the AnvilNext engine was used! The water is a real eye-catcher. The diving missions look excellent. Light and shadow effects make the colorful Caribbean very lively. The atmosphere is just great. Even if it (just in battles) are a few ugly animations here and there, destroyed the not at the big picture of the game.
The sound has problems in some places. From time to time the music turns out sometimes, or you will hear sounds too late. Depend on the sound is well done in itself and very detailed. So you can hear for example whip snapping Ropes, if the ship is sunk. The shanties, which sings the crew, are a great bonus and also performs very authentic! As a radio these while driving on the ship, using directional pad, on-and off.
Who wants to sing along, can read the lyrics of shanties found in the pause menu documents. Even with German translation!
The German voice actors are excellent selected and do a good job!
As I said acts by the character representation of all very much alive. This should be emphasized again!

CONCLUSION:
Assassins Creed 4 Black Flag is a look into the future. Alone the main menu depends very much of the PS4! And that it is necessary to be the full Game savor Online.
This title is mainly about the history of the pirates. But this is told very human. The characters seem to very much alive. Nevertheless, even if the atmosphere comes across pretty well, just makes you feel no longer as in the AC universe, as at that time in Part 2 of the series! Although Edward is a charismatic type people like to control as a protagonist, but one is more plunder and voyages busy, but to fight for the good.

This game is a coin with two sides. Firstly, here we have a game, which makes a lot of fun, good looks, a wonderful atmosphere and several hours of play offers, and on the other hand not a real Assassin's Creed! The focus is now time at sea and piracy. You should not have issued this part no number. But similar to Brotherhood and Revelations easy to take as subtitles for AC3. Or a complete Pirates game to make of it.

In addition these annoying online forced. That has no place in the single player mode! There are plenty of people who refuse to go online. And rightly so! After all, we are still in the PS3 Generationda you could have take a bit of consideration for the Offline Player. Bad enough that it no longer comes in a few years without Internet!
AC4 is a 5 star pirate game, but only a 2 star Assassin game.

So to match the golden age and golden guns, I give AC4 the golden mean: 3 stars!

I hope the review is helpful. If I have forgotten something or something misrepresented did, ask for correction via comment. Thank you
MFG