Summary
The early-mid 2010s were home to some of the best entries in some of gaming’s longest-running franchises. 2013 saw the release ofGrand Theft Auto 5, while 2014 saw the Wii U version ofMario Kart 8hit store shelves, and 2015 broughtThe Witcher 3to the forefront of the industry. And that’s just scratching the surface.Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, considered to be the greatest entry in franchise history by many fans, and one of thebest pirate games of all time, was released in 2013.
Despite releasing over a decade ago,Assassin’s Creed: Black Flagis still the gold standard for any pirate-themed action-adventure game, allowing players to seamlessly transition between naval combat and on-foot exploration, among a plethora of other innovative features that fit the genre perfectly. ButBlack Flagis far from the only genre-defining game of the early-mid 2010s. 2015’sBatman: Arkham Knightdid for the superhero genre whatBlack Flagdid for pirate games, and somehow, both games have seen a sizable resurgence in recent weeks.
Batman: Arkham Knight and Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Are In the Same Strange Boat Right Now
2024 has already seen its fair share of controversial video game releases, andSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice LeagueandSkull and Bonesare leading the pack. Released right at the end of January,Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagueis already being heralded as one of the most disappointing games of the year. A live-service looter-shooter,Rocksteady’s return to the DC universeis far from what some fans wanted, and its critical and commercial reception exemplifies that.
Not far behind it,Skull and Boneshad its official release just over a week ago, and it tells a similar tale of dismay. A game over a decade in the making,Skull and Bonesisn’t quite the disasterthat many thought it was destined to be, but it isn’t a great game either, and it marks the second major live-service disappointment in as many months.
ThoughSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice LeagueandSkull and Bonesare two very different games, they share a unique quality in that they attempt to be spiritual successors to two of the most acclaimed franchise entries of all time, withSuicide SquadbeingRocksteady’s first release sinceBatman: Arkham Knight, andSkull and Bonessharing a great deal of DNA withAssassin’s Creed: Black Flag. But these games are mere shadows of their predecessors, and in an attempt to scratch that itch, fans have ended up going back to these classic titles.
BothBatman: Arkham KnightandAssassin’s Creed: Black Flaghave seen significant increases in active players over the last few weeks. Currently sitting at 5,569 active players - according to Steam Charts -Batman: Arkham Knighthas seen a 60.40% increase in playersin the last 30 days. Steam Charts' data forAssassin’s Creed: Black Flagtells a similar story, albeit a less dramatic one. With 3,223 current players,Black Flaghas seen an increase of 25.30% in the last 30 days. While official stats aren’t available forSkull and Bones' current player count, these data sets paint a pretty dismal picture forSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which sits at just 698 current players.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
WHERE TO PLAY
The year is 1715. Pirates rule the Caribbean and have established their own lawless Republic where corruption, greediness and cruelty are commonplace.Among these outlaws is a brash young captain named Edward Kenway. His fight for glory has earned him the respect of legends like Blackbeard, but also drawn him into the ancient war between Assassins and Templars, a war that may destroy everything the pirates have built.Become Edward Kenway, a charismatic yet brutal pirate captain, trained by Assassins. Edward can effortlessly switch between the Hidden Blade of the Assassin’s Order and all new weaponry, including four flintlock pistols and dual cutlass swords.Discover the largest and most diverse Assassin’s Creed world ever created. From Kingston to Nassau, explore over 75 unique locations where you can live the life of a pirate.
