Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is proving to be a polarizing hit. While the remake has sold 2 million copies and earned praise from critics, a vocal segment of the PC player base is pushing back on Steam, dragging the game's rating down to 76 percent positive. The primary point of contention? A list of day-one microtransactions totaling $84.91.

Quick Facts

  • Game Title: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced
  • Total Day-One DLC Value: $84.91
  • Base Price: $60
  • Current Steam Rating: 76% positive

While the game carries a $60 price tag, players are taking issue with the inclusion of paid items that affect gameplay. Specifically, a $10 map pack that reveals secret locations has drawn criticism from users who feel that exploration and discovery should be core components of the experience rather than gated features. As one Steam user put it, paying to toggle minimap icons to save time feels “money hungry” in a single-player game.

Ubisoft’s Official Response

In an unusual move, Ubisoft has addressed the backlash directly in the comments section of the game’s Steam page. A representative for the publisher stated, “We want to be clear on one point: the standard edition is the full, complete experience. Every mission, every island, the full story and the complete world are all there, with nothing held back.”

The publisher emphasized that the additional content packs are entirely optional and are not a requirement for players to enjoy or complete the game. This stance seeks to distance Black Flag Resynced from other recent industry controversies, such as Grand Theft Auto VI, which faced heat for locking content behind a $100 Deluxe Edition.

How This Compares to Past Titles

For longtime fans of the series, the current monetization model is a shift from previous open-world RPG entries in the franchise. Past games often featured combat gear and XP boosters that directly impacted the progression grind. While player tolerance for microtransactions varies, the debate remains heated, with the company's response on Steam already drawing nearly 500 comments from users debating whether such in-game purchases are necessary or consumer-friendly.