Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has encountered player criticism on Steam regarding the extensive array of microtransactions available at launch. Despite the $60 base price, optional extras totaling $85 have drawn ire from fans who feel these purchases offer gameplay advantages.
Players have expressed frustration over the number and pricing of these packs, which include cosmetic costumes for the hero Edward Kenway, new visual designs for the ship the Jackdaw, and a $5 map pack that reveals collectible locations. "We want to be clear on one point: the standard edition is the full, complete experience," a Ubisoft community spokesperson stated in a response on Steam. "Every mission, every island, the full story and the complete world are all there, with nothing held back. The additional packs are entirely optional extras for players who want them, never a requirement to enjoy or complete the game."
Despite the controversy surrounding the microtransactions, the expanded and polished version of the pirate adventure has received positive critical reception. IGN awarded Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced a 9/10, praising its modern presentation and additional story content. The game has also seen strong sales, breaking the franchise's concurrent player record on Steam with approximately 100,000 peak players.
Alongside the game's launch, guides and tips have been released to assist players with naval combat, finding collectibles, and managing resources within the game world. These resources aim to help players navigate the Golden Age of Piracy smoothly.