Get ready to set sail with these 6 games to play before Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced

These games to play before Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced are a great way to get ready for the remake of Ubisoft's swashbuckling stealthy adventure.

Whether you're looking to get in the spirit of Edward Kenway by diving right into pirate life, or you're wanting to polish off your hidden blades in some of the best Assassin's Creed games that either have direct ties or similar features to Black Flag, I've brought together a handy list of games I'd recommend playing before Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced.

Of course, the new game is arriving on July 9, so you won't have to wait much longer to reunite with Kenway, or meet him for the first time. But if you're planning to hold off on playing the upcoming Assassin's Creed game straight away, the selection I've brought together below can offer up some great alternatives. And even if you are getting the remake on day one, you can also come back to this list if you're in the mood for something similar after you've wrapped up your time in the Caribbean. So, if you're ready to get on board and hoist your pirate flags, read on as I take you through some games to play before Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced.



(Image credit: Kraken Express) Developer: Kraken Express
Platform(s): PC

If you want to step into an open world set during the age of piracy before you navigate the Caribbean seas in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, then Windrose is your answer. With a unique setting made up of procedurally generated biomes that brings to life an alternate take on the 18th century, Kraken Express' adventure sees you become a pirate captain who commands your own ship and crew. As you try to survive the dangers of the high seas, the naval combat will surely prepare you for Kenway's seafaring battles.

When you choose to go from ship to shore and explore the biomes you come across, you can also make the most of the building, crafting, and resource-gathering ingredients at play to establish your very own settlements. With some familiar faces of legend making an appearance – including Blackbeard – you can also take on bosses, delve into dungeons and uncover mysteries. There are all kinds of swashbuckling adventures to be had, and while it's playable solo, you can even share the experience with any pals who want to be pirates in online co-op. If you're looking for some tips to get started, check out our guide to the best ships in Windrose.



(Image credit: Square Enix) Developer: Square Enix
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One

You don't need to be at sea to be a pirate. And no, I'm not talking about landlubbers who've never gone beyond the shore. I'm talking about pirates in the sky! Yes, I'm going a little rogue here (which is in the spirit of things anyway) with Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age. If you're after something a little unique that still captures the spirit of pirate life in a decidedly different and more fantastical way, then this is for you.

Set in the world of Ivalice, which is at war, the story follows Vaan, a young orphan who dreams of someday flying freely in the vast skies above. Enter sky pirate Balthier and his airship Strahl. Before you know it, you're navigating the skies with a ragtag group as you set out on a memorable journey to free your homeland. Being a pirate is all about freedom, so the story marries perfectly, and who wouldn't want to be a sky pirate? Airships are just undeniably cool, after all.



(Image credit: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio / Sega) Developer: RGG Studio
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

Now, if you're after a single-player pirate experience with a modern-day spin, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a very over-the-top adventure that brings RGG Studio's action to the Pacific Ocean. Playing as Yakuza series mainstay Goro Majima, you find yourself washed up on a remote island with no memories. And when you can't even remember your own name, what else is there to do but reinvent yourself as a pirate? As you commandeer a ship and set sail to try and get your memories back, you'll soon find yourself swept up in a wild, seafaring quest for legendary treasure.

Naturally, you can expect to come to blows against criminals and enemy ships as you explore the open world and its seas. With naval combat, you can also get stuck into some satisfying action that the best Yakuza games are so known for, with Majima boasting his own signature fighting styles that pack a punch. Let's face it: if any Yakuza character was made to become a pirate, it's Majima. I mean, he's already got an eye-patch and a rebellious spirit. For more, you can check out our Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii review.



(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) Developer: Rare
Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X

If you want to channel Edward Kenway and become a pirate legend of your own making, then you can't go wrong with Sea of Thieves. With the revised edition that was released in 2026 bringing together all of the permanent additions added to the base game throughout its many seasons since first launching, Rare lets you live out a pirate fantasy that's yours to shape in the shared open world. From exploring islands to delving underwater, you can take on quests, search for treasure, and work to build up your own reputation at sea. And if you're after a challenge, you can even try to take on big oceanic foes like the Kraken, or Megalodons.

Heck, you can even bury the treasure you plunder and create a map to it just like a true pirate. With lots of goals to work towards, side objectives to complete, and the option to create your own private sandbox with the recent Custom Seas feature that gives you the freedom to set your own rules and create the kind of pirate experience you want, Sea of Thieves is also still bringing in fresh features and in-game events. It's definitely a lot of fun sailing with friends, but you can try it solo, too.



(Image credit: Ubisoft) Developer: Ubisoft
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One

Sure, Assassin's Creed Odyssey is quite a change in direction from the pirate-filled antics of Black Flag, but the adventure set in ancient Greece not only boasts a big open world, it also features its fair share of naval combat and seafaring exploration. Yes, if the vast open waters and ship-commanding side of things really puts the wind in your sails, Odyssey will absolutely get you in the mood for Black Flag in that respect.

Resynced is set to be even more action-orientated than the latest mainline entry, Assassin's Creed Shadows, too, with "hit-box based modern combat". Odyssey's real-time system is definitely more action-forward – albeit going more in the direction of an RPG with Spartan moves. But hit boxes also brings to mind the likes of Arno in Assassin's Creed Unity (which I have to give a little honorable mention here). Check out our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review for more.



(Image credit: Ubisoft) Developer: Ubisoft
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch

Assassin's Creed 3 may not have managed to reach the same kind of heights as the likes of its predecessors, or the games that would follow it, but you can see how the third entry in the stealthy series paved the way for Assassin's Creed Black Flag. Nestled in the Assassin's Creed timeline after the events of Edward Kenway's adventures, Black Flag actually serves as a kind of prequel to Assassin's Creed 3, which takes place during the American Revolution in 1775.

Playing as Connor, a Native American who fights in the name of liberty for his nation, you'll come to meet Haytham Kenway, a member of the Templar Order who's actually the son of Edward. While you don't need to play Connor's adventure to follow Black Flag story-wise, Assassin's Creed 3 does bring to light some interesting ties, and it also introduces naval combat into the series for the first time – which was iterated and vastly expanded on for the sprawling open world of Black Flag.

Our guide on how to play the Assassin's Creed games in order is also here to help if you're looking to tuck into the series either chronologically, or by release date before playing Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced.

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