The release of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is just over a month away, and while the remake has earned praise for its visual upgrades and gameplay improvements, one major change has split the fanbase. Ubisoft has confirmed that the modern-day Abstergo sections – and the lingering threads of Desmond Miles’ story – have been completely removed. In their place are new, optional “rift” sequences that keep players in Edward Kenway’s pirate adventure.
What Was Cut
In the original Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, players frequently left the Animus to explore Abstergo Entertainment’s offices as a silent, unnamed employee. These segments advanced the modern‑day narrative, following up on the cliffhanger from Assassin’s Creed III and revealing what happened to Desmond’s friends and the Templar corporation. While many fans found these interruptions tedious, others appreciated the lore and world‑building.
For Resynced, Ubisoft has removed those sections entirely. Game director Richard Knight explained the reasoning to GamesRadar: “Back then, it was very important to know what happened to Desmond’s friends. But what we want to do is take Black Flag and update it and modernise it for today. We knew we needed to change certain things.”
He added that Resynced is positioned as “the post‑Shadows AC” – a game that stands alone without requiring knowledge of a decade‑old modern‑day arc. New players jumping in would be confused by Desmond’s story, and Ubisoft wanted to keep the focus on Edward Kenway.
What Replaces It
Instead of the Abstergo offices, Resynced introduces four optional “rift” sequences that players can find in the open world. These rifts present “what if” scenarios tied directly to Edward’s experience. They offer a taste of modern‑day mystery without pulling you out of the pirate fantasy for hours. You can ignore them entirely and remain Edward, the assassin and pirate.
Additionally, the Freedom Cry DLC – which followed Adéwalé – is not included in the remake. However, Ubisoft confirmed that Adéwalé still plays a key role in the main story, with new moments different from the original.
Fan Reactions – Split Down the Middle
The changes have sparked passionate debate online. Some fans are relieved:
“The modern sections were barely present in Black Flag. As someone who cared not for the modern story at the time, I thought it was short enough not to bother me. At the same time, they added so little that its complete removal wouldn’t change much, and would definitely make the game flow better.” – JayKayGray
Others are mourning the loss of lore:
“I hate this. I gotta be the only person that liked the modern section? The world‑building is what made the games so cool and not just being a historical simulator.” – Drokeep
A third camp is cautiously optimistic about the new rifts, hoping they offer the same depth without the pacing issues.
Hands‑On Impressions
In our hands‑on preview, we came away impressed. The gameplay improvements – free crouch, no instant‑fail stealth, smoother parkour, and underwater exploration – make the game feel genuinely modern. The removal of the modern‑day segments does streamline the experience, but fans who adored the lore may feel something is missing.
Also, Read
- Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Makes Big Change to the Hidden Blade
- Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Rival Gets Free DLC This Week Plus New Roadmap
- Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Map Revealed – Familiar Waters, New Islands
The Bottom Line
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is a faithful remake that prioritizes Edward Kenway’s pirate adventure above all else. The cut modern‑day content will disappoint some, but the new rift sequences and gameplay enhancements aim to keep the experience cohesive. Whether you love or hate the change, the game launches July 9, 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.