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Freedom251 › Blog › Assassin’s Creed

How to Play the 2013 Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Before or Instead of Black Flag Resynced

By Freedom251 Team · · 12 min read

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Black Flag Resynced is already available. Ubisoft released the remake on July 9, 2026, so the word “before” now means choosing the 2013 original first, not waiting for a future release. To play the original adventure, select Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and verify that the store page identifies the 2013 game. To play the current remake, select Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, which Ubisoft rebuilt from the original with updated visuals, gameplay changes and new story content.

This guide explains how to tell the two games apart, which platforms and storefronts support Resynced, what internet access is actually required, and how the Standard, Deluxe and Collector’s editions differ.

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First, identify which Black Flag you want

The two products share characters, setting and the Black Flag name, but they are separate releases thirteen years apart.

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Game Release What it is How to recognize it
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag 2013 The original game The title uses “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” without “Resynced.”
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced 2026 A remake based on the original The product name includes “Black Flag Resynced.”

Ubisoft describes Resynced as “a faithful remake rebuilt from the ground up and powered by the latest Anvil engine.” That is the publisher’s description, not an independent performance test. Ubisoft also says the remake adds updated visuals, gameplay changes and new story content, so it should not be treated as merely a higher-resolution copy of the 2013 release.

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If you want the original story and systems

Search your chosen platform’s store for the full 2013 title. Read the product description, release information and screenshots before buying: a listing that says “Resynced” is the remake, while a listing that says “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” is the original. The available information does not establish that the 2013 game remains purchasable in every country or on every current storefront, so do not assume that a listing exists simply because the game was once sold there.

If you want the current remake

Search specifically for Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. Do not rely on a generic “Black Flag” search, because stores can display both releases or surface one as a related product. Check the platform, edition name and publisher information on the final purchase screen.

Choose a platform for Resynced

Ubisoft lists Resynced for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. On PC, the named storefronts are Ubisoft Store, Steam and Epic Games Store. Ubisoft also identifies the game as verified for Steam Deck. Storefront catalogs, language options and regional availability can differ, so confirm the listing in your country.

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Platform or route What is established What to check yourself
PlayStation 5 Supported for Resynced. Whether your local store offers the digital edition and which physical editions local retailers stock.
Xbox Series X|S Supported for Resynced. Regional store listing, edition contents and any console-specific purchase requirements.
PC — Ubisoft Store Named PC storefront. Account, launcher and regional availability requirements shown at checkout.
PC — Steam Named PC storefront; Steam Deck is verified by Ubisoft. Current hardware, storage and operating-system requirements on the live listing.
PC — Epic Games Store Named PC storefront. Regional availability and launcher requirements.

Platform decision path

  1. Decide whether you need Resynced or the 2013 original. The platform list above applies to Resynced and does not prove that the original is currently sold on the same systems.
  2. Choose your device. Select PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S if you want a current console version, or choose a listed PC storefront if you prefer computer play.
  3. Open the platform’s own product page. Confirm that the title says “Resynced,” not only “Black Flag.”
  4. Check your edition. Standard, Deluxe and Collector’s include different extras, described below.
  5. Confirm territory and format. Digital availability is controlled by the storefront serving your region. Physical stock depends on local retailers.

Install and start Resynced

The exact button names can vary by platform and country, but the process is the same: purchase the correct product, download it, allow the required first connection, then launch the campaign.

  1. Buy or redeem the game on your selected platform. Before confirming, inspect the title line and edition name.
  2. Begin the download. Ubisoft requires an initial internet connection to download the game. A physical disc still needs the console to install the software and may require a connection for updates or entitlement checks.
  3. Let installation finish. Avoid starting the campaign while the platform reports that only a partial installation is ready if you want to avoid missing content or interrupted loading.
  4. Launch the game once while connected. This gives the platform and Ubisoft services an opportunity to validate the installation and download any available updates.
  5. Start the main campaign. Once the game is installed, you can disconnect for the offline campaign conditions described in the next section.

Physical-copy purchases

Ubisoft’s launch guide says physical copies are available through local retailers. That does not guarantee stock, a particular edition or a specific marketplace in your area. Ask the retailer which platform and edition are in the box, and check whether the package contains a game disc, a download code or both.

Can you play Black Flag Resynced offline?

Yes, with an important distinction. Ubisoft’s product FAQ states: “Once downloaded, the full main campaign of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is fully playable offline.” You need an internet connection for the initial download, but the principal single-player campaign does not require a continuous connection after installation.

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Activity Connection needed? Practical implication
Initial download Yes Connect the console or PC before installation can complete.
Main campaign after download No You can play the core story without remaining online.
Animus Hub: Store Yes Online-only hub functionality will be unavailable offline.
Animus Hub: Anomalies Yes Reconnect when you want to access these live features.
Animus Hub: Projects Yes Progress or interactions that depend on the connected hub require a connection.
Animus Hub: Vault Yes The Vault is unavailable while disconnected.

If you plan to travel or use a limited connection, launch the installed game while online first, then test the campaign in offline mode before leaving. Do not expect the connected Animus Hub features to work until you reconnect.

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Choose the right edition

The editions differ by included extras rather than by a separate campaign. Confirm the regional contents on the store page or retail packaging before paying, because bundles can vary by platform and territory.

Edition Included content Best fit
Standard Base game. Players who want the core Resynced experience without additional packs or physical collectibles.
Deluxe Base game plus the Master Assassin Character pack and Naval pack. Players who want the named digital extras.
Collector’s Deluxe content plus physical collectibles: an Edward figurine, brooch, SteelBook and cloth map. Collectors who specifically want boxed memorabilia as well as the digital content.

How to avoid an edition mistake

  • Read the edition name on the checkout page, not only the artwork.
  • For a physical copy, inspect the package description for the figurine, brooch, SteelBook and cloth map if those items matter to you.
  • Do not assume that every retailer carries Collector’s or that its contents are identical in every territory.
  • If you only want to play the campaign, Standard is the least complicated choice; Deluxe is for the specified digital packs; Collector’s is justified by the physical items.

Recommended play orders

Original first, remake second

Choose the 2013 original first if your goal is to see the game as it originally released. After completing it, start Resynced as a separate interpretation. This order makes changes to visuals, mechanics and story content easier to notice, but it requires finding a current listing for the original in your region.

Resynced only

Choose Resynced alone if you want the current supported release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S or PC. You do not need to own the 2013 game to start the remake.

Resynced first, original later

Choose Resynced first if access to the current remake matters more than experiencing the original version in release order. If you later obtain the 2013 game, treat it as an archival version rather than expecting every system and story element to match.

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PC storefront and Steam Deck considerations

Ubisoft names three PC storefronts: Ubisoft Store, Steam and Epic Games Store. Pick the storefront you already use for account management, controller support and library organization, then verify the live system requirements before downloading. Those requirements can change with patches and are not specified in the available product information here.

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Steam Deck is identified by Ubisoft as verified. “Verified” describes Ubisoft’s stated compatibility status; it does not mean every mod, peripheral, display configuration or battery setting will behave identically. Keep the Deck online for the initial download and first launch, and remember that Animus Hub functions still need a connection even though the main campaign can be played offline.

Streaming as an alternative

Ubisoft’s launch guide lists GeForce NOW and Blacknut among streaming options. Streaming availability is not permanent: catalog inclusion, supported countries, device compatibility and account requirements can change. Check the service’s current catalog and your network conditions before relying on streaming for a trip or a purchase decision. A streaming session also needs an active internet connection because the game is rendered remotely.

Compare the practical choices

Decision Choose this when Important limitation
2013 original You want the historical release and its original systems. Current availability is not confirmed for every country or storefront.
Resynced Standard You want the remake’s base campaign without extras. Confirm the listing is for Resynced and check regional availability.
Resynced Deluxe You want the Master Assassin Character and Naval packs. Digital contents should be confirmed on the local product page.
Resynced Collector’s You want the Deluxe content plus the Edward figurine, brooch, SteelBook and cloth map. Physical stock and contents can vary by retailer and territory.
Digital PC purchase You prefer Ubisoft Store, Steam or Epic Games Store. Account, launcher, system requirements and territory rules apply.
Physical purchase You want a boxed copy or collectible edition. Ubisoft points to local retailers; it does not promise stock at a particular marketplace.

Optional books, music and physical extras

Ubisoft’s product information also names The Art of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced and Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag music on vinyl. These are optional merchandise, not requirements for either game. Treat them separately from the Collector’s edition: the Collector’s bundle is defined by its included Edward figurine, brooch, SteelBook and cloth map, while books and vinyl are separately named products. Availability, territory and retailer stock should be checked at the time you buy.

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Buying safely in your region

  1. Set your region first. Open the storefront or retailer serving your country rather than relying on a search result from another territory.
  2. Match the platform. A PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC listing are separate products even when the cover art is similar.
  3. Match the subtitle. “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” identifies the 2013 original; “Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced” identifies the 2026 remake.
  4. Read the contents list. This is especially important for Deluxe and Collector’s packages.
  5. Check the format. For physical stock, confirm whether the package contains a disc, a code or both, and whether it is the correct console version.
  6. Keep your receipt and order details. They make it easier to resolve a mistaken edition or platform purchase with the retailer.

Troubleshooting the most common selection and access problems

The store keeps showing the wrong game

Remove broad search terms such as “Black Flag” and enter the complete title. Open the details page and check the year and subtitle. If the page says “Resynced,” it is the remake; if it says “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” without that subtitle, it is the original. When the store still produces an ambiguous result, search from the publisher page for the exact product name.

You bought a physical copy but expected Collector’s items

Check the edition printed on the box and the retailer’s order confirmation. Standard and Deluxe do not include the Collector’s physical set. If the packaging does not list the Edward figurine, brooch, SteelBook and cloth map, it is not the Collector’s bundle described by Ubisoft.

The game will not start without internet

Make sure the initial download and at least one connected launch have completed. Reconnect and allow pending installation or entitlement checks to finish, then try the campaign again offline. If the campaign works but Store, Anomalies, Projects or Vault do not, that behavior is expected because those Animus Hub features require a connection.

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You cannot find the 2013 original

Availability of the original is not confirmed for every current storefront or country. Check the platform’s regional store, local physical retailers and any account library where you previously purchased it. Do not buy Resynced by mistake if your objective is specifically the 2013 release.

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A retailer has no physical stock

Ubisoft describes physical availability through local retailers rather than promising stock at a particular chain or marketplace. Ask other local retailers or use a supported digital storefront; verify the platform and edition before completing the order.

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What the 2026 launch status means

Resynced is not an announced future project as of October 13, 2026. Ubisoft announced that it launched on July 9, 2026. In a July 17, 2026 corporate announcement, Ubisoft reported more than 3 million copies sold in its first week and 2 million sold on day one. Those are company-reported sales figures, not independent estimates, and they do not replace checking whether the edition you want is available in your territory.

Final checklist before you buy or disconnect

  • Confirm whether you want the 2013 original or the 2026 remake.
  • For Resynced, choose PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S or a named PC storefront.
  • On PC, remember that Steam Deck is identified as verified by Ubisoft.
  • Match the edition to your needs: Standard, Deluxe digital packs or Collector’s physical set.
  • Check local physical stock instead of assuming a retailer has inventory.
  • Complete the initial download and one connected launch.
  • Expect the main campaign to work offline afterward, while Animus Hub Store, Anomalies, Projects and Vault remain online features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Black Flag Resynced a new game or the original Assassin’s Creed IV?

It is a 2026 remake of the 2013 Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Ubisoft says it was rebuilt from the ground up, with updated visuals, gameplay changes and new story content, so it is a separate product rather than a simple graphics patch.

Do I need to play the 2013 original before Resynced?

No. Resynced can be played on its own. Play the original first only if you want to experience the 2013 release and compare its systems and presentation with the remake.

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Can I play the Resynced campaign without an internet connection?

Yes, after downloading the game. Ubisoft’s FAQ says the full main campaign is playable offline once downloaded. The Animus Hub Store, Anomalies, Projects and Vault require a connection.

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Which consoles support Black Flag Resynced?

Ubisoft lists PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. PC versions are named for Ubisoft Store, Steam and Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft identifies Steam Deck as verified.

Is the 2013 original available everywhere?

No current universal listing is established. Availability can differ by country and storefront, so check your regional digital store, local retailers and any library where you previously bought it.

What is included in the Deluxe edition?

Deluxe includes the base game, the Master Assassin Character pack and the Naval pack. Confirm the local store’s contents before checkout because regional bundles can differ.

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What makes the Collector’s edition different?

It includes the Deluxe content plus an Edward figurine, brooch, SteelBook and cloth map. Check the physical package description and local stock; not every retailer carries it.

Can I buy a physical copy from a specific marketplace?

Ubisoft says physical copies are available through local retailers, but it does not guarantee inventory at a particular chain or marketplace. Check the retailer’s current listing, platform, edition and format.

The Bottom Line

Choose Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag for the 2013 original or Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced for the 2026 remake. Resynced runs on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and named PC storefronts, needs internet for its initial download, and lets you play the main campaign offline afterward. Select Standard for the base game, Deluxe for the two digital packs, or Collector’s for the physical memorabilia, and verify regional availability before paying.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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Assassin’s CreedBlack FlagBlack Flag Resyncedoffline gamingPC gamingPlayStation 5Steam DeckXbox Series X|S

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